Graduate Engineer

SECTION 1: THE ROLE

Cork County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which vacancies for Graduate Engineer may be filled.

This panel may also be used to fill assignments in any of the Council’s functional areas, which may include, but are not limited to, Roads, Transportation & Area Services, Capital Delivery, Asset Management & Land Development, Planning & Environment, Housing, and Fire & Building Control.

The person(s) appointed will work under the direction and control of the Senior Engineer or Senior Executive Engineer or other officer designated by the Director of Services/County Engineer or the Chief Executive. If working in the Fire and Building Control Department, the person(s) appointed will work under the direction and control of the Chief Fire Officer or the Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer.

SECTION 2: DUTIES

The duties may include, but are not limited to, the following. The post holder may also be required to perform other duties appropriate to the post, which may be assigned from time to time, and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

• Participating in and supporting the work of the section or department to which they are assigned to ensure that work programmes are delivered in accordance with operational plans;
• Working as part of a team developing the implementation of civil engineering and multi-disciplinary programmes across the service areas;
• The implementation of projects and the supervision and contract administration of construction / operations / maintenance works;
• Carrying out fire safety duties, including building inspections and assessments of Fire Safety Certificate applications for construction works;
• Undertaking building control inspections of ongoing construction projects and assessing Disability Access Certificate applications;
• Co-ordination of community fire safety and pre-incident planning with the operational fire teams;
• Preparing and monitoring programmes and budgets to ensure that works are implemented on time and on budget;
• Complying with Health and Safety legislation and procurement rules;
• Carrying out work in line with best practice;
• Preparation of reports as required and maintaining good records;
• Liaising with and responding to other local authorities, government departments, and statutory agencies including Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII);
• Ensuring an efficient and effective response to all stakeholders;
• Attending training as required and participating in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to their grade;
• Deputising for other employees of a higher grade as required;
• Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

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

SECTION 3: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA / QUALIFICATIONS

(a) (i) hold at least an ordinary bachelor’s degree (Level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) in Engineering;

Or

(ii) hold an ordinary bachelor’s degree (Level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) and a postgraduate master’s degree (Level 9 in the NFQ) in Engineering;

Or

(iii) hold an ordinary bachelor’s degree (Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) and a postgraduate master’s degree (Level 9 in the NFQ) in Engineering;

Or

(iv) hold a master’s degree (Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in Engineering attained after completing an integrated master’s level programme of at least 4 years duration and which is accredited at Chartered Engineer (CEng) level by Engineers Ireland or an equivalent accreditation body internationally.

In the context of the key duties and responsibilities for the post of Graduate Engineer listed above, the ideal candidate should demonstrate through their application form and at interview that they have the following knowledge, experience, skills, and competencies:

• Have relevant experience in any engineering field including: Road Maintenance, Construction and Design; Housing Construction and Design; Planning and Community Development; Fire Safety;
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Be self-motivated and show initiative in a workplace environment;
• Work well as part of a team;
• Have sufficient knowledge and understanding of engineering works;
• Have good judgement and problem-solving skills;
• Have excellent IT skills;
• Have good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety legislation and regulations.

SECTION 4: COMPETENCIES

A competency-based application form requires you to describe some of your personal achievements to date that demonstrate certain competencies (necessary skills and qualities) required for the position for which you are applying.

For each competency, you are given a description of a skill or quality. You are then asked to describe a situation from your own experience which you think is the best example of what you have done which demonstrates this skill or quality.

It is essential that you describe how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question. Therefore, compose your replies carefully in this section and structure your responses so that you provide specific information about what you have done. For example, do not simply say that “X was successful”; describe exactly what you did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality.

For each example, please include the following: a) The nature of the task, problem, or objective; b) What you actually did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality (and, where appropriate, the date you demonstrated it); c) The outcome or result of the situation and your estimate of the proportion of credit you can claim for the outcome.

The information you present in your application may form part of a shortlisting process and may also be used to help structure your interview, should you be invited to one. A shortlisting process may be applied based on two or more of the competencies and on other information you provide in your application form.

Please note that, should you be called to interview, the board may look for additional examples of where you demonstrated the knowledge, experience, skills, and competencies required for this post, so you should think of a number of examples of where you demonstrated each of the skills.

SECTION 5: TENURE

The contract duration is 3 years. The position is temporary and full-time. The post is pensionable. A panel may be formed to fill Graduate Engineer vacancies which may arise during the lifetime of the panel.

SECTION 6: SALARY

The salary scale for the post is: €39,846 - €50,447 per annum €39,346 – €42,684 – €46,744 – €50,447

Applicants should note that the entry point to the salary scale will be determined in accordance with circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government, & Heritage. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

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 at the minimum point.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The awarding of increments is subject to satisfactory service. 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.

SECTION 7: LOCATION OF POST

The base for working purposes shall be the location as determined by Cork County Council. Cork County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises, or district in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or compensation.

Holders of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

The person appointed will be required to provide themselves, at their own expense, with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

SECTION 8: WORKING HOURS

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.

SECTION 9: ANNUAL LEAVE

The current annual leave entitlement is 24 days per annum. Cork County Council’s leave year runs from 1 January to 31 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, 1997 (as amended).