Health and Safety Officer

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities of the role are as follows:

• Act as national co-ordinator for health and safety across the local government sector, coordinating the delivery of programmes, projects and initiatives.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on health and safety legislation, policy, governance and emerging issues.
• Contribute to the development and review of sectoral policies, guidance, frameworks and best practice resources.
• Support the development of sectoral capability through training, information sharing and good practice initiatives.
• Co-ordinate and support national health and safety committees, governance structures and working groups.
• Manage engagement with Local Authority Safety Officers Group (LASOG) and other sectoral networks to support the delivery of agreed programmes of work.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with local authorities, government departments, representative bodies and external agencies.
• Represent the LGMA at meetings, working groups, conferences and sectoral events as required.
• Oversee the collection, analysis and reporting of national health and safety data.
• Prepare reports, briefing papers, presentations and updates for management, committees and stakeholders.
• Act as Health and Safety Officer for the LGMA, providing professional advice and support to management and staff on health, safety and welfare matters.
• Co-ordinate the review and implementation of the LGMA Safety Management System, including Safety Statement and associated policies and procedures.
• Support risk assessment and risk management activities across the organisation.
• Promote a positive health and safety culture and support compliance with statutory requirements.
• Manage projects, budgets and procurement processes relating to health and safety programmes.
• Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

Essential Requirements1. 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. Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Candidates must, by the closing date for receipt of completed applications, be able to demonstrate the competencies set out in the LGMA Competency Framework (see Appendix 2 of the Candidate Information Booklet) and must have:

A. A recognised NFQ Level 8 qualification (or higher) in Occupational Health and Safety.

OR

B. A recognised NFQ Level 8 qualification (or higher) in a relevant discipline (e.g. engineering, science, environmental health, risk management or equivalent) together with a recognised qualification in Occupational Health and Safety. The Occupational Health and Safety qualification is not required to be at NFQ Level 8 where the candidate already holds a recognised NFQ Level 8 qualification (or higher) in a relevant discipline.

AND

C. A minimum of 3 years' relevant post-qualification experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Occupational health and safety management.
• Safety management systems and governance frameworks.
• Health and safety legislation and regulatory compliance.
• Risk assessment and risk management.
• Policy development and implementation.
• Incident investigation and reporting.
• Health and safety auditing, inspections or assurance activities.
• Delivery of health and safety training programmes.

Desirable Requirements

The following requirements are desirable but not essential:

• Professional membership of Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) or another relevant professional body.
• Experience within local government, the public service or a regulated environment.
• Experience supporting governance committees or sectoral networks.
• Experience in procurement, contract management or service provider management.
• Experience analysing performance data and producing management information.

Principal Conditions of Service

The appointment is to the position of Health and Safety Officer, Grade 7 in the Local Government Management Agency and is subject to the general terms and conditions governing appointments within the Agency. The appointment will be made on a permanent basis.

Remuneration

The salary scale applicable to this position is as per Circular EL 04/2026: 1 June 2026. Pay adjustments are as follows:

€61,217 - €79,583 per year