Graduate Engineer

The Position

The Council now invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which fixed term contract posts for the position of Graduate Engineer be drawn.

The Role of the Local Authority Engineer:

Since the foundation of the State, Local Authority Engineers have played a key role in the delivery and maintenance of public infrastructure necessary for the day-to-day life of all citizens, residents, visitors, and business. Examples of such infrastructure are:

Roads

Cycleways

Bridges

Drainage, Flood Alleviation & Green Infrastructure

Water & Wastewater

Public Lighting

Traffic Control Systems (e.g. traffic signals, signage, setting of speed limits etc.)

Environmental Protection

Waste Management

The Graduate Engineer will work under the direction and management of the Senior Executive Engineer, Senior Engineer, or other employee designated by the Director of Services as appropriate.

The Graduate Engineer will be required at times to work on their own initiative as circumstances demand on a broad range of projects. They will be required to work as part of a multidisciplinary project team. The role requires good technical competence, administrative, interpersonal, communication, and other particular skills depending on the assignment.

The successful candidate will be expected to carry out his/her duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making.

Duties & Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities of the post include:

(a) To provide technical assistance to the wider engineering team.

(b) To research Technical Standards and Guidelines.

(c) To research Government Policy Documents in relation to the provision of engineering services.

(d) To research and gain familiarity with the legislation within which Council engineering services are provided.

(e) Drafting reports for the approval and sign-off by higher engineering grades.

(f) Drafting replies to correspondence received from elected public representatives or from members of the public for the approval and sign-off by higher engineering grades.

(g) Checking engineering drawings.

(h) Carrying out on-site works inspections.

(i) Checking tender documents, specifications, and pricing schedules.

(j) Gaining familiarity with the Conditions of Contract for engineering works outsourced by the Council.

(k) When required, to accompany higher engineering grades to meetings with engineering consultants, contractors, elected members, etc.

The post holder may 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 duties as designated from time to time.

Qualifications for the Post

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. 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 or 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

A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

4. Education, Training, Experience

Candidates on the latest date of receipt of completed application forms:

(a) Hold at least an ordinary bachelors degree (level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) in a relevant field of Engineering*;

OR

(b) Hold an ordinary bachelors degree (level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) and a post graduate masters degree (level 9 in the NFQ) in a relevant field of Engineering;

OR

(c) Hold a masters degree (level 9 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in a relevant field of Engineering attained after completing an integrated masters level programme of at least 4 years duration which is accredited at CEng level by Engineers Ireland or an equivalent accreditation body internationally.

A level 7 degree will be assessed on the basis that the period of study undertaken should be equivalent to at least 180 ECTS (European Credit Transfer Accumulation System) credits.

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.

The onus is on the candidate to ensure that the correct documentation is provided to support their application form.

The Ideal Candidate Shall Have:

• Knowledge of health & safety legislation and safety regulations.

• The ability to demonstrate good analytical and IT skills.

• Evidence of planning and organising skills, including awareness of resource management.

• Report writing and presentation skills and the ability to communicate clearly with others.

• Evidence of self-sufficiency, being capable of evaluating proposals and identifying improvements on a proactive basis and adapting readily to change.

• An ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks.

As this role requires travel within the County, it is desirable for the successful candidate to have access to a vehicle and to hold a full driving license for class B vehicles free from disqualifications and medical limitations.

Particulars of Office (including retirement)

1. The Post

A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year, and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel may be used to fill fixed term positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. Vacancies may arise on a county-wide basis. Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any work location, having regard to funding and/or operational circumstances.

2. Salary

The current salary for the post of Graduate Engineer is €39,846 - €50,447 per annum (including Long Service Increments) as per Circular EL 02/2026. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with the Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

New entrants to the Local Authority Service commence on the 1st point of the scale in accordance with current Government Policy as set out in Department of the Environment Circular Letter EL 02/2011 of 28th January 2011 and Circular EL 05/2016 dated 5th February 2016.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g. PAYE and PRSI. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct, and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance, and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

You agree that in the event of an overpayment of salary or other monies to you, the Council reserves the right to deduct monies from your “wages” (for the purposes of the Payment of Wages Act, 1991) for the purpose of reimbursement of the Council of the amount of the overpayment(s), in keeping with the Payment of Wages Act 1991, Section 5(5).

3. Superannuation and Retirement

Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details of the relevant scheme will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. 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 dependant or qualified children).

A person paying Class A rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority will be required, in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. 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 dependant or qualified children).

A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of his/her superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. A person paying Class D rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable Officer of a local authority, depending on their existing scheme, may be a member of a dependent scheme, i.e. either the Local Government (Widows & Orphans Contributory Pension) Scheme or Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme, and if a member of either scheme will be required, in respect of this, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

Employees are admitted to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act, 1998 and the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, with effect from date of appointment. This scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement, and death gratuities.

In order for a new entrant to the scheme to qualify for a pension, the employee must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority.

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, effective from 1st January 2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on career-average pay; pensions will be coordinated with the State Pension Contributory Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. The compulsory retirement age for new entrants, as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, is 70 years.

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004:

There is no mandatory retirement age for ‘New Entrants’ from 1st April 2004 to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. 65 years is the minimum age at which a person may be paid. As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants will not be required to retire on grounds of age.

Anyone who is not a ‘New Entrant’ to the public service, defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years.

CLICK THE APPLY BUTTON TO GO TO THEIR CAREERS PAGE WHERE YOU CAN CHECK THIS JOB AND ALL OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE