Executive Parks & Landscape Officer

QUALIFICATIONS

CHARACTER:

Candidates shall be of good character.

HEALTH:

Candidates must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before they are appointed, to undergo at their expense, a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority. On taking up employment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

EDUCATION,

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(a) Candidates shall hold a qualification in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Arboriculture, Natural or Environmental Science (Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications).

EXPERIENCE, ETC.

(b) Have not less than five years post graduate satisfactory experience of planning, design, development and management of one or more of the following: Parks, Heritage Landscapes and Gardens, Open Spaces, Green Infrastructure, Public Realm and Urban Design, Urban Forests, Sports Grounds, Recreation and Play facilities, Burial Grounds, Community Gardens and Allotments;

(c) Possess a high standard of professional competence and experience;

(d) Have the ability to work on their own initiative and as a team member and to manage and motivate staff to achieve corporate objectives;

(e) Have good interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders including interest groups and public representatives;

(f) Have proven ability to manage the delivery of projects on time and within budget, including dealing with procurement, contracts and professional contractors;

(g) Have the ability to develop policies, guidance and the preparation of technical reports as required; and

(h) Have a good knowledge of the legal and regulatory standards that apply to local authorities, including Health and Safety.

Non Irish qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. Overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

AND

Hold a valid work permit if required.

All non EU/EEA citizens must hold a valid work permit prior to and for the duration of their contract. The work permit must allow you to work full time for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. It is the responsibility of individual employees to ensure that you have a valid work permit. If at any stage during your contract you cease to hold a valid work permit, you must immediately advise Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and your employment will cease with immediate effect.

It is desirable that each candidate would:

• Have professional experience of horticulture, and or landscape architecture and or arboriculture with particular reference to the design, construction and management of public parks, open spaces and civic spaces.

• Hold a full Irish or EU Driving Licence free from endorsement that allows you to drive permanently in Ireland.

• Have a satisfactory knowledge of the range and use of plant species and materials used for hard and soft landscape treatment.

• Have knowledge of trees and their management in the public arena.

• Have knowledge of invasive species management.

• Have knowledge of the design and construction of recreational facilities for children, young people and adults.

• Possess good IT skills including experience of CAD and GIS design software.

• Have professional experience liaising with third parties and stakeholders.

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence of such competencies within their application form and at interview. Any short listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates on their application form.

The competencies for the role of Executive Parks and Landscape Officer are:

COMPETENCY BEHAVIOURS

Management and Change

• Have proven ability to manage the delivery of projects on time and within budget, including dealing with procurement, contracts and professional contractors;

• Demonstrate innovation and creativity to secure successful strategic outcomes;

• Effectively manage the introduction of change and demonstrate flexibility and openness to change;

• Manage resources, evaluate work practices and achieve efficiencies.

Delivering Results

• Problem solving, judgement and decision making;

• Allocate resources (staff and equipment) across jobs to ensure that priorities are met and that work is executed in the most efficient manner possible to deliver quality work and services;

• Follow procedures, ensure compliance and maintain appropriate records;

• Plan and prioritise work and resources effectively;

• Establish high quality service and customer care standards.

Performance Through People

• Have the ability to work on their own initiative and as a team member and to manage and motivate staff to achieve corporate objectives;

• Build and maintain positive, productive and beneficial working relationships;

• Manage performance;

• Communicate effectively and have strong verbal and written skills.

Personal Effectiveness

• Have good interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders including interest groups and public representatives;

• Have the ability to develop policies, guidance and the preparation of technical reports as required;

• Take initiative and be proactive when there is an opportunity to make a contribution;

• Manage time and workload effectively;

• Maintain a positive, constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role;

• Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change;

• Respond positively to the challenges of the role;

• Demonstrate resilience and personal wellbeing;

• Show commitment to integrity and good public service values.

Knowledge and understanding of Local Government

• Demonstrate a good knowledge of the legal and regulatory standards that apply to local authorities, including Health and Safety;

• Demonstrate knowledge of the role of Executive Parks and Landscape Officer;

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of local government;

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legislative and policy environment in which they are operating.

JOB SPECIFICATION

The office is whole time, permanent and pensionable.

A panel will be formed from which permanent and temporary appointments may be made.

SALARY:

€60,255 - €62,447 - €64,640 - €66,837 - €69,032 - €71,226 - €73,423 - €75,606 - €77,813 - €80,001 - €82,523 (1st LSI) - €83,758 (2nd LSI). Rates as at 1/02/2026.

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with circulars issued by the Department of the Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1 January 2011 will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point.

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTION:

Persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (that is pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

Persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

All persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority will be required in respect of the Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension Scheme to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

RETIREMENT:

New entrants recruited to the Public Service on or after 1 January 2013

Pensionable public servants (new joiners) recruited to the Public Service for the first time on or after 1 January 2013 (the commencement date of the Single Scheme) will be members of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

Pension age

Minimum pension age is linked to the State Pension age which is currently 66 but may be subject to change.

Compulsory retirement age

Scheme members must retire at the age of 70.

In all other cases, staff recruited on or after 1 January 2013 who were employed in the Public Service on 31 December 2012 or within a period prior to 31 December 2012 not exceeding 26 weeks will retain their existing pension scheme terms and conditions.

In certain circumstances, for example where the public servant was on secondment or approved leave or remains on the same contract of employment, the 26 week rule does not apply.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees under that scheme are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

HOURS OF WORK

All new entrants to the Local Authority sector and any individuals on new appointments or promotion will work 35 hours per week.

PROBATION:

When a person is not already a permanent officer of a Local Authority within the public service Ireland and is appointed to a permanent office, the following provisions shall apply:

a. There shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which such person shall hold office on probation.

b. Such period shall be one year.

c. Such person shall cease to hold such office at the end of the period of probation unless, during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person in such office is satisfactory.

ANNUAL LEAVE

Annual leave entitlement for the position of Executive Parks and Landscape Officer is 30 days per annum in accordance with Department of Environment, Community and Local Government Circular LG(P) 07/2011.

DUTIES

Successful candidates will work as part of a multidisciplinary team with responsibilities in strategic green infrastructure planning, the management of maintenance operations and arboricultural management and development. Duties will be assigned by the Senior Executive Parks and Landscape Officer, or their nominee, and may include but are not limited to:

• Management of staff and resources to provide best value for money;

• Project and contract management from design, planning to construction;

• Development management and strategic planning within the parks team;

• Managing the natural resources within the public realm including arboricultural management and biodiversity conservation;

• Progressing the aims and objectives of the DLR Tree Strategy;

• Leading and participating on multidisciplinary and inter departmental project teams and strategic initiatives;

• Preparation, contract management and co ordination of tenders and contracts, including budgetary control;

• Working with a diverse range of interest groups;

• Carrying out such other duties as may from time to time be reasonably assigned.

The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the Council.

The duties of the post are to give to the local authority and to:

a) The local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive is Chief Executive; and

b) To any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies referred to in sub paragraph (a) of this paragraph, under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such officers as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate computing, technical, management, administrative, executive, supervisory, advisory and ancillary services as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties and to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to them by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The holder of the post will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.

The duties shall be such as shall be assigned by the local authority from time to time and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority when required. The duties shall also include such duties as may be assigned in relation to the area of any other local authority.

CITIZENSHIP

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a. A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

b. A citizen of the United Kingdom; or

c. A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

d. A non EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or United Kingdom or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

e. A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

f. A non EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent Irish citizen child and has been granted residence permission, usually Stamp 4.

LOCATION AND RESIDENCE

Holders of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof. Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future, subject to reasonable notice.

RECRUITMENT:

Pursuant to Article 8 of the Local Government (Appointment of Officers) Regulation, 1974, the Minister has given directions as follows:

i. Selection of candidates for appointment shall be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of the Local Authority. The interview will be competency based and marks will be awarded under the competency skill sets identified for the position of Executive Parks and Landscape Officer as outlined above. Candidates will also be required to demonstrate knowledge of the key duties and responsibilities for this role. Please note that the interview may be held in person or online.