Executive Technician

THE COMPETITION

Laois County Council is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Laois County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post of Executive Technician from which future temporary and permanent vacancies may be filled.

THE ROLE

The Executive Technician is a key support position within the Council and is assigned to a service delivery area or to support a functional area as required. The Executive Technician will work under the direction and management of the Senior Executive Engineer/Chief Technician or analogous grade or other employee designated by the Senior Executive Officer, Senior Engineer or Director of Services as appropriate.

The role involves supporting managers and colleagues and working as part of a team in meeting work goals and objectives and delivering quality services to internal and external customers.

The role requires a clear knowledge and understanding of local authority services and its key stakeholders and relationships, local government structures and its democratic role and mandate, current local government issues, future trends and strategic direction of the sector.

Successful applicants may be assigned to any service area/role within the Local Authority by the Chief Executive at any time.

The Person:

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate through their application form and at the interview, that they have sufficient experience and a proven track record in the following:

·     A background in civil/construction services, with capacity for supervision and quality control in engineering construction

·     Good professional technical knowledge and skills, capable of producing, interpreting and amending civil engineering drawings

·     High level of proficiency in AutoCAD

·     Preparation of detailed design drawings for contract documents using AutoCad, for various types of construction projects with an emphasis on house construction / housing schemes

·     Working knowledge of using the Building Regulations and Technical Guidance Documents

·     Proficiency in GIS

·     GIS map productionincluding GIS data collection, conversion/editing, integration, updating, quality assurance and management and GIS System deployment and maintenance

·     Create and present GIS data reports and mapping

·     Mapping Queries and Land Registry

·     Preparation of detailed reports, undertake house and site surveys to record data and process information using computer systems, GPS, as required for the preparation of asset and general layouts.

·     Ability to prepare and present technical reports

·     Ability to work independently or within multi-disciplinary teams

·     Ability to work on his/her own initiative

·     Good interpersonal and communication skills and have the ability to engage with a wide range of people

·     Good organisational skills

·     Good IT and presentation skills including a working knowledge of Access database and Microsoft Office

·     Good understanding of safety management in the workplace including Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations

THE QUALIFICATIONS

1.       CHARACTER

Each candidate must be of good character.

2.       HEALTH

Each candidate must 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.

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

1. Have passed the NCEA/HETAC National Certificate Final Examination in the following: -

-        Civil Engineering or

-        Geo-surveying or

-        Construction Studies or

-        Construction Studies in Building Maintenance or

-        Construction Studies in Architectural Graphics or

-        hold an equivalent qualification,

and

Have at least 5 years post qualification experience

OR

Have at least five years satisfactory relevant experience in a technician post at Grade II or higher level in a Local Authority or an analogous post.

2. Have a wide knowledge of all the technical aspects of local authority work and also a deeper knowledge of at least one section of the work;

3. Possess adequate training and experience relating to dealings with other departments within their own organisations and with other bodies, and

4. Have adequate experience in the supervision and control of staff.

5. Hold a current full driving licence in respect of category B vehicles or equivalent in the EU Model Driving Licence.

Competencies for the Post:

Candidates will be assessed at interview under the following competencies. The candidates at the interview will be questioned on at least some of the indicators listed below under each competency. Candidates at interview must achieve a minimum 50% of the total marks available in each of the competencies to qualify for inclusion on a panel.

Technical Knowledge and Change

·        Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of Local Government

·        Keeps up to date with current developments, trends, and best practise in their area of responsibility.

·        Demonstrate the understanding of key challenges facing Local Government and Laois County Council

·        Understands the role of an Executive Technician.

·        Has relevant administrative experience

·        Experience of compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence etc.

·        Has knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems

·        Effective budget and financial and resource management

Delivering Results

·        Organises the delivery of services to meet or exceed the required standard through collaborating with, instructing and motivating stakeholders and by managing resources effectively.

·        Develops and implements quality assurance measures to achieve compliance with performance standards or benchmarks.

·        Critically evaluates outcomes and processes used to achieve them.

·        Is aware of and understands relevant legislation, regulations and policies that govern the Local Authority. Refers to relevant professional documents as required.

Performance

Through People

·        Presents ideas effectively to individuals and groups and delivers presentations suited to the nature and needs of the audience.

·        Motivates others individually and in teams to deliver high quality work and customer focused outcomes.

·        Develops the competence of team members and helps them meet their full potential. Leads by example in terms of commitments, flexibility and strong customer service ethos.

·        Prepares for communication, carrying out the necessary research and speaking to the relevant people in advance.

·        Is effective in communicating a complex or technical message, using language appropriate to the audience.

Personal Effectiveness

• Adopts a positive and constructive approach to work
• Sets challenging standards and achieves high quality outcomes.
• Responds positively to the challenges of the role.
• Manages own time effectively to achieve objectives
• Shows a high level of commitment to the wider organisation

THE PRINCIPAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

1.        PARTICULARS:

The position is wholetime and pensionable. Laois County Council reserves the right to, at any time, assign an employee to any premises in use by the Council now or in the future.

2.         PROBATION:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of this local authority is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a)         There shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation

(b)        Such period shall be ten months but the Chief Executive may, at his/her discretion, extend such period

(c)         Such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory

(d)        There will be ongoing assessments during the probationary period. Employment may be terminated by either party during probation or at the end of the probationary period on one week’s notice.

 

3.         SALARY:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circulars. Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

The salary scale for the post of Executive Technician is within the range: €51,407 - €61,504 (LSI 2) in line with circular EL 03/2025.

4.     DUTIES:

You shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to you in relation to your employment and as may be appropriate to any particular function of any local authority for which the Chief Executive is responsible and carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of your duties. You shall, if required, act for an employee of a higher level. You may be required to work outside your normal job description from time to time.

The duties of the post of Executive Technician include, but are not limited to:

·         Providing technical services relevant to the area of responsibility to which he/she has been assigned, e.g. site inspection, site surveying, preparation of detailed dimensional drawings, design layout, mapping and graphics, report writing, project tendering and such other duties associated with the role;

·         Estimating project technical or resource requirements

·         Preparation of Health & Safety documentation for works.

·         Reading and reviewing maps, project drawings and plans, technical specifications, etc.

·         Operating the appropriate technology as required to carry out the work to which he/she has been assigned e.g. AutoCAD, GIS, Map Info, Graphics, Microsoft Office

·         Working as part of a team

·         Liaising with other departments, members of the public and external agencies in relation to operational aspects of assigned work

·         Preparation of public consultation display material and assistance with public consultation requirements

·         Managing work files and providing progress reports

·         Supervision of staff/projects assigned to him/her

·         Contributing to individual staff development, personal development and team development initiatives

·         Being accountable for efficient and effective processing of work assigned to him/her

·         Assisting with the preparation of estimates

·         Undertaking of any duties related to the assigned role.

·         Such other 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 Council

5. DRIVING LICENCE

You may on occasion be required to use your car on official business.  In such situations you must hold a current clean driver’s licence and have available adequate means of transport. If, during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence which may affect your duties you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

6. SAFEPASS

The Technician shall have on his/her person, at all times, a valid Safepass card. Should the successful candidate not hold a valid Safepass card, he/she must obtain a Safepass card within a specified period of time, prior to taking up appointment.

7. HEALTH

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for a successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo at his/her own 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.

8.           RESIDENCE

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

9. RECRUITMENT

Selection of candidates for appointment shall be by means of a competitive interview.

a)           Shortlisting Process

The local authority may decide, by reason of the number of persons seeking admission to a competition, to carry out a shortlisting procedure. The number of persons to be invited, in these circumstances, to interview, shall be determined by the local authority from time to time having regard to the likely number of vacancies to be filled. The local authority may at its discretion, decide that such shortlisting will be based on qualifications, relevant experience and information submitted on the application form.In that regard, candidates should ensure they provide detailed and accurate information in completing the form. Alternatively, the local authority may at its discretion decide to shortlist by way of preliminary interview.

b)          Competitive Interview

Selection of candidates for appointment shall be by means of a competitive interview. The competitive interview shall be conducted by or on behalf of the local authority. The Council is committed to a process of selection on merit, based on fair and open competition.  The criteria for judging suitability and ranking will be related directly to the qualification, attributes and skills required to undertake the duties and responsibilities to the standard required in the post.

c)Panels

A panel may be formed on the basis of the interviews from which Executive Technician will be employed on a full-time permanent capacity within the life of the panel. Temporary contract positions, as they arise may also be offered, within the life of the panel.

d) References/Documentary Evidence

Each candidate may be required to submit as references the names and addresses of two responsible persons to whom he/she is well known but not related.

Candidates may be required to submit documentary evidence to the local authority in support of their application.

10.       COMMENCEMENT The local authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and is he/she fails to take up the appointment within such period or such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint him/her.

11. RETIREMENT:

The Single Public Service Pension Scheme (“Single Scheme”) as provided by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 commenced with effect from 1st January 2013. The act introduces new pension and retirement provisions for new entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1st January 2013. Pension age set initially at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the SPC age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028. The compulsory retirement age of 70 applies. Otherwise the retirement age of the relevant Scheme applies.

It should be noted that candidates who are in receipt of a Public Service Pension and are rehired in any paid capacity by a Public Service Body may be liable to have their pension abated.

Prior to appointment successful candidates will be obliged to complete a Declaration in relation to previous Public Pensionable Employment.

 

12. GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS

Laois County Council is committed to protecting your personal data and we comply with our obligations under the Data Protection Acts, 1988 – 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulations.  

Basis for Processing your Personal Information

The basis for processing your personal data is to process your application for the position you have applied for with Laois County Council under the Terms of the Employment (Information) Act 1994 and Human Resources Department policies and procedures. Personal data sought for the purpose of recruitment will include your name, your contact details including email address and mobile number, particulars of education, details regarding your record of employment, details of referees and confirmation of if you require an employment permit/visa or work authorisation. When your application form is received, we create a computer record in your name, which contains much of the personal information you have supplied.  This personal record is used solely in processing your candidature.  You are entitled to obtain at any time, a copy of information about you, which is kept on computer.

Sharing of Information  

Outside of the relevant recruitment team, the information provided in your application form will only be shared for progressing the competition for which you have applied for, with a designated short listing and/or interview board.   If, following the competition, you are placed on a panel and offered a position, the information provided in your application form will form part of your Personnel File and may be used for deciding the post to which you are assigned. Furthermore, should you be offered a position and subsequently confirm your interest in the position, the information provided on your application form will be used to request service records, employment references and/or character references as required.   

Storage period

Your application will be retained for one year from the date a panel for this position is formed.  In exceptional circumstances panels can be extended for an additional year and your personal data will be kept until the extension has expired (usually a further one year, rarely two years).    You will be notified if the panel has been extended after one year and the new expiry date of the panel.  Applications which are unsuccessful at interview stage will be retained for one year.  Applications that are not progressed to interview stage will be destroyed post competition. If you do not furnish the personal data requested, Laois County Council will not be able to progress your application form for the competition for which you are applying. Laois County Council’s Privacy Statement can be assessed at: https://laois.ie/privacy-statement/

Any attempt by a candidate, or by any person(s) acting at the candidate’s instigation, directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise influence in the candidate’s favour, any member or employee of the Council or person nominated by the County Council to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidate for the position being sought. Expenses incurred by candidates in attending interview etc., will be at the candidates own expense.

Laois County Council is an equal opportunities employer.