Executive Technician

THE ROLE

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

DUTIES

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

(a) such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001 and 2014, is Chief Executive; and

(b) 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 mentioned in subparagraph (a),

under the general direction and supervision of the Chief Executive or such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative, or management nature 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.

The postholder will 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 postholder will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level if qualified to do so.

The actual duties of the post of Executive Technician will depend on the placement of the post, but in general will include, but are not limited to:

• Providing technical support in your section to meet targets set under the Government’s policies and the Council’s Corporate Plan.
• Advancing small schemes or projects independently.
• Carrying out activities as assigned by the relevant Line Manager.
• Preparing reports and submissions, including:
• Operating the appropriate technology as required to carry out assigned work, e.g. CAD, MapInfo, graphics software, and 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.
• Managing work files and providing progress reports.
• Undertaking any course of training organised by the Council which they are designated to attend.

If Appointed to the Environment Department

The duties of the post will also include, but are not limited to:

• Implementing and assisting in the enforcement of EU and National environmental legislation and policies relating to waste management, water quality, wastewater, drinking water, air quality, noise control, and environmental protection.
• Assisting in identifying, developing, and implementing work programmes, targets, and deadlines, ensuring the effective delivery of environmental services and enforcement activities.
• Responding to and investigating environmental complaints, incidents, and customer queries through desktop assessments, site inspections, investigations, and follow-up actions.
• Conducting inspections, audits, and monitoring programmes in accordance with RMCEI Plans, National Enforcement Priorities, and Local Authority work programmes.
• Investigating, documenting, and undertaking enforcement action relating to breaches of environmental legislation, including Waste Management, Water Pollution, Air Pollution, Noise, Litter, and Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) Regulations.
• Issuing Warning Letters, Fixed Payment Notices, Statutory Notices, and other enforcement measures, and preparing files for prosecutions, including evidence gathering, affidavits, and court attendance where required.
• Carrying out environmental monitoring, sampling, and technical investigations relating to rivers, lakes, wastewater discharges, septic tanks, historic landfill sites, air quality, noise, and pollution incidents, ensuring compliance with approved sampling and analytical protocols.
• Assisting in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive monitoring programme, preparing monitoring strategies, and evaluating environmental data for reporting and regulatory purposes.
• Administering and monitoring environmental licences, permits, and registrations, including discharge licences, waste facility permits, and certificates of registration, and reviewing environmental returns and compliance data.
• Reviewing planning applications, Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plans, and development proposals, providing technical assessments relating to environmental, air, water, and noise impacts.
• Conducting inspections and audits relating to environmental regulations and national initiatives, including Low Smoke Fuels, Petrol Vapour Recovery, Solvents, Decopaints, Deposit Return Scheme, and Anti-Dumping programmes.
• Utilising environmental monitoring and enforcement technologies and preparing business cases where required.
• Liaising and collaborating with statutory agencies and stakeholders including the EPA, HSE, Uisce Éireann, LAWPRO, Teagasc, An Garda Síochána, WERLA, Government Departments, other Local Authorities, and community groups, and representing the Council on relevant committees and working groups.
• Assisting in environmental awareness campaigns, community initiatives, and public engagement programmes, and preparing technical reports, consultation material, progress reports, and recommendations.
• Promoting and maintaining a positive health and safety culture in the workplace, ensuring compliance with all relevant Health and Safety legislation and the Council's Safety Management System, working effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, and undertaking such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

If Appointed to the Housing Department

The duties of the post will also include, but are not limited to:

• Carrying out building inspections/surveys and preparing inspection reports.
• Developing and implementing buildings and estates preventative maintenance programmes.
• Managing and supervising estates and green areas.
• Managing and supervising reactive maintenance.
• Conducting site surveys and preparing maps and reports for property transfer.

If Appointed to the Roads Department

The duties of the post will also include, but are not be limited to:

• Displaying knowledge and understanding of issues related to road design, construction, land acquisition, and environmental obligations.
• Reading and reviewing maps, technical drawings, and design specifications.
• Carrying out GPS surveying of road infrastructure.
• Producing drawings for road projects and day-to-day activities.

THE CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will:

• Have a good working knowledge of the relevant legislation.
• Have a track record of dealing successfully with statutory bodies.
• Have good knowledge and experience of relevant Health and Safety legislation and public Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Be very familiar with relevant software packages.
• Have good experience in mapping.
• Have the ability to interpret and critically analyse data.
• Have good negotiation skills.
• Have strong ICT skills.
• Have experience in budget preparation and management.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved. Consequently, the postholder may be required to perform other duties appropriate to the post, as assigned from time to time, and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

The duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibility entailed. The postholder 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 Longford County Council.

QUALIFICATIONS1. Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

2. Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of being able to render regular and efficient service.

3. 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 (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA, UK, 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 child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state, the UK, or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

4. Education, Training, Experience, etc.

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

• Have satisfactory experience in a Technician post at Grade II or higher level, or in an analogous post under a local authority or health board in the State.
• Have at least five years of satisfactory relevant experience in a Technician post at Grade II or higher level, or an analogous post.
• Have a wide knowledge of all the technical aspects of local authority work and a deeper knowledge of at least one section of the work.
• Possess adequate training and experience relating to dealings with other departments within their own organisations and with other bodies.
• Have adequate experience in the supervision and control of staff.
• Possess technical training and experience of a high standard and adequate administrative ability.

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT1. The Post

The post is whole-time (35 hours per week), and appointment may be permanent or temporary.

2. Location

Longford County Council reserves the right to assign successful candidates to any premises used by the Council, now or in the future.

The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

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

3. Commencement

Longford County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up the appointment within a period of not more than one month. If they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such longer period as the Council may determine at its absolute discretion, Longford County Council shall not appoint them.

4. Working Hours

The current working hours are 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

A flexible working system is in operation.

Longford County Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001.

Longford County Council requires employees to record their hours using a clocking system.

5. Reporting Arrangements

Executive Technicians report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the section or to any other employee of Longford County Council designated for this purpose.

A system of regular appraisal will operate during employment, involving discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

6. Probationary Period of Employment

There shall be a period after appointment during which the appointee will hold the position on probation. The period of probation will be prescribed by the Executive Technician.

Employment may be terminated during the probationary period should service be deemed by the Executive Technician to be unsatisfactory.

Employment may be terminated at the end of the probationary period unless the Executive Technician has certified that the employee has provided satisfactory service.

Tenure of employment following probation will be subject to satisfactory service.

7. Remuneration

The current salary scale for the post of Executive Technician is €52,964 – €63,367 (LSI2) gross per annum (Circular EL 04/2026).

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Circulars.

On appointment, successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee's nominated bank account.

The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, including P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I.

Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct, performance, and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance, and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

8. Superannuation & Retirement

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of the County Council will be required to contribute to the Local Authority at the appropriate rate.

The terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Scheme 1998, as amended, or the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, or the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, will apply as appropriate on appointment.

Retirement age for employees is dependent on their relevant contract of employment, with due consideration given to the rules of the Superannuation Scheme to which they belong.

• For appointees who are deemed not to be "new entrants" as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 65 years of age.
• The minimum retirement age for "new entrants" to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age.
• Effective from 1 January 2013, the Single Public Service Pension Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks: