Executive Planner

Essential Criteria 1. CHARACTER Candidates shall be of good character. 2. HEALTH Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. 3. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE Etc. Candidates shall: • Hold an honours degree (level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Planning; • Have at least five years satisfactory experience of planning; • Possess a high standard of technical training and experience; and • Possess a high standard of administrative experience. Candidates may be shortlisted on the basis of information supplied on their application form. Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they: • Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed. • Are fully competent, available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position. • Have good knowledge and awareness of statutory obligations of Health and Safety Legislation the implications for the organization and the employee, and their application in the workplace. • Have a clean, current class B driving licence. Duties The duties of the post are to give to the local authority such appropriate management, administrative, executive, supervisory, advisory and ancillary services as may be required by the local authority 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 him or her by the Chief Executive from time to time including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by the local authority. The holder of the post will, if required, deputise for an officer of a higher level.

Executive Planner The Executive Planner will be responsible for implementing programmes of work in the Planning Department and for providing a multiplicity of planning and related services. Executive Planner positions are multi-faceted and may include some or all of the following key service areas: • Development Management • Planning Enforcement • Economic Development • Forward Planning and Sustainable Development • Community Development.

Duties Of The Post Include: • Assessment and making of recommendations on planning applications in line with all relevant national, regional and local planning plans/policies, and in accordance with the appropriate legislation and guidelines as required • Conducting pre-application consultations and provision of planning advice to members of the public, internal departments and to the elected members in an efficient and flexible manner. • Preparation and implementation of the county development plan, local area plans, planning schemes and other planning related reports as required • Liaising and working with neighbouring planning authorities and other public authorities on all aspects of implementation • Carrying out survey work, research, analysis, drafting policies and proposals, preparing written statements and maps and other work as required on the agreed Forward Planning Work Programme, including but not limited to county and local plans, and other planning strategies and studies • Preparation of policy and reports as required on a wide variety of conservation related matters. • Carrying out site visits and preparing recommendations in relation to planning enforcement and derelict sites, including attendance at court cases and the giving of evidence • Building and maintaining co-operative working relationships and supervision of staff as required • Any other associated duties as may be assigned from time to time • 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 County Council The Ideal Candidate Should Have: • An ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team including supervision of staff • Good planning, operational and project management skills • Good communication/presentation and interpersonal skills • Good knowledge, or the ability to quickly acquire same, of local government functions, services and activities, particularly in relation to planning and development • Good working knowledge of planning legislation and the principals, practices and techniques of planning • A good working knowledge and understanding of planning • An ability to work under pressure and to think laterally, maintaining a solution orientated mind-set in dealing with a wide range of issues • Good report writing skills and strong IT skills • An ability to achieve delivery of competing demands within prescribed timelines and deadlines

Any other duties as may be assigned to the officer from time to time by the local authority and may include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be assigned to him/her in relation to the area of any other local authority. Particulars of Post Salary The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale for the position of Executive Planner is: €59,067 - €82,108 (LSI 2) gross per annum. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy. Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL.02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point.

Probation Where a person, who is not already a permanent officer of Louth County Council, is appointed, the following provisions shall apply: • There will be a probationary period of 9 months from date of employment, • The Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend this period, • You shall cease to hold office at end of the period of probation unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that your service is satisfactory.

Location of post Louth County Council reserves the right to assign the post holder to any council premises, now or in the future subject to reasonable notice. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

Superannuation A. Officers joining the Public Service after the 1st January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. A Class rate of PRSI contribution will apply. A rate of 3% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme. OR B. Officers who became pensionable officers of the Public Service prior to 1st January 2013 and who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of the net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). You will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% of your pensionable remuneration to the Spouses & Children’s Pension Scheme. OR C. Officers who become pensionable officers of a Public Service prior to 5th April 1995 and who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. If an option to join a dependent scheme was made you will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% to a Dependents Pension Scheme. Retirement Retirement is dependent on the superannuation scheme you become a member of, and details will be made available to you upon appointment.

Health For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it may be necessary for the successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo at his/her expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

Residence The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance, thereof.

References Applicants are required to advise the names of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related (at least one of the referees should be an existing or former employer). In advance of any offer of employment, Louth County Council reserves the right to seek both written and verbal references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.

Hours of work The working hours at present provide for a five-day, thirty-five hour working week. A flexible working hours’ system is in operation and may be availed of subject to the terms and conditions of the Flexitime Policy.

Sick Leave The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

Annual Leave Annual leave entitlement for the position will be 30 days. Louth County Council’s leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1977 (as amended).

Start Date The successful candidate will commence on direction from Directors of Service and/or Chief Executive. Should they fail to take up the appointment on direction, the council at its discretion may not appoint them.

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