Graduate Planner

THE ROLE AND DUTIES Graduate Planners work within the planning section. The section works broadly under four headings as follows: Forward Planning, Development Management, Enforcement and Public Realm. Local Authorities also pay a key role in supporting economic development and enterprise promotion at a local level. • The Graduate Planner will work under the direction and management of a Senior Planner or other employee designated by the Director of Services as appropriate. • The Graduate Planner 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 multi-disciplinary project team in the Councils busy Planning Department. • The role requires good administrative, interpersonal, communication and other particular skills depending on assignment. • The successful candidate will be expected to carry out the duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making.

The duties of the office are to give the local authority and; (a) Such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive Officer, for the purposes acts is Manager, and; (b) To 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 sub-paragraph (a) or this paragraph under the direction and supervision of the appropriate officer, such planning or ancillary services of an advisory, supervisory or executive 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 including the duty of assisting the Senior Planner, or other appropriate professional officer, in the supervision of the planning or ancillary services of any of the forgoing local authorities or bodies, and when required to do so, to perform the duty of acting for the appropriate professional officer of higher rank during the absence of such officer of higher rank.

Responsibilities of the Graduate Planner will include: • To write reports and make recommendations on planning matters as assigned; • To complete site inspections as part of his or her case load; • Preparing responses to preplanning requests and holding preplanning discussions with prospective applicants; • Preparing responses to appeals of Planning Decisions; • Preparing recommendations on compliance with Planning Conditions; • Carrying out survey work, research and analysis, drafting policies and proposals, preparing written statements and maps and other work as required on the agreed Forward Planning work programme;

• To answer phone and email queries, dealing with members of the public in a courteous, prompt and efficient manner; • To participate in continued professional development and training provided by the County Council; • To provide assistance to other work colleagues; and liaise with other departments as required; • To maintain such records and produce such reports as may be required. • Providing a high level of service to elected representatives, including attendance at and presentations to the relevant Strategic Policy Committee and meetings of the Council, including at Municipal District Level; • To respond to reasonable requests for assistance by other bodies/members of the public; • Incorporating the use of IT and efficiencies into work practices; • To ensure that the provisions of the Health and Safety legislation are complied with; • Participate & take part in the duties as required as part of the Organisational response to Climate Action and Just Transition to promote & ensure capacity building, empowering change and delivering action These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance

The ideal candidate should have an ability to demonstrate competence in the following areas; - • Knowledge of planning legislation and the principles, practices and techniques of planning; • An ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team; • Good knowledge of local government functions, services and activities particularly in relation to planning and development; • Communication/presentation and interpersonal skills; • Report writing skills and IT skills; • Time Management and organisational skills - an ability to achieve delivery of competing demands within prescribed timelines and deadlines; • Identifying Problems and Contributing to Solutions; • Awareness of and management of Health, Safety and Welfare in the workplace; • Operating ICT systems, in particular word processing, presentation and GIS systems; • Prioritising of work effectively; • Acting on own initiative; • An ability to work under pressure and maintain a solution-oriented mindset.

QUALIFICATIONS 1. Character Candidates shall 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. 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 (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 or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa 4. Education, Training and Experience etc. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: hold an honours degree (level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Planning.

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT 1. The Post The post is wholetime (i.e., 35 hours per week) and appointment may be permanent or temporary. 2. Location Longford County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidates to any premises in use 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. 3. Commencement Longford County Council 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 if they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Longford County Council shall not appoint them. 4. Working Hours The current working hours are 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Longford County Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time in line with Government Circulars. 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 Graduate Planners report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Longford County Council as the Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve 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 Chief Executive. Employment may be terminated during the probationary period should service be deemed by the Chief Executive to be unsatisfactory. Employment may be terminated at the end of the probationary period unless the Chief Executive has certified that the employee had satisfactory service. Tenure of employment following probation will be subject to satisfactory service. 7. Remuneration The current salary scale for the post of Graduate Planner is €38,956 - €49,452 gross per annum (Circular EL 03/2025), 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 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 employees nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g. P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I. 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. 8. Superannuation & Retirement 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 who becomes a pensionable employee 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 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 pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme. 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). 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, he/she 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 The retirement age applicable to an employee is determined in accordance with the rules governing the relevant Superannuation Scheme to which they belong. 9. Annual Leave The current annual leave entitlement for Graduate Planner is 24 days per annum, in accordance with the Council’s Annual Leave Policy. The Chief Executive of Longford County Council retains autonomy with regard to office closures, (e.g., Christmas Office Closure), any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement. Proposed office closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year.

10. Driver’s Licence & Insurance Longford County Council employees may on occasion be required to use their car on official business. In such situations the employee must hold a current clean driver’s licence and have available adequate means of transport. It is the responsibility of the employee to arrange the appropriate car insurance cover for business use and to indemnify Longford County Council with the indemnity specified on your insurance certificate under the heading “Persons or classes of person who are covered”. Documentation to confirm the appropriate insurance cover will be required to be supplied to the Council on an annual basis.

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