Health & Safety Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION The Health and Safety Officer will manage health and safety. This will include management of the introduction of a health and safety system, which can be understood by all employees. They must manage the implementation of reviews of parent and ancillary safety statements. The delivery of training to ensure that all staff are aware of health and safety requirements must be managed by the person appointed. The review of the system, the auditing regime, performance measuring, the preparation of plans for corrective action where necessary, and the early identification of poor work practices must be managed by the successful candidate. As system manager and team leader, the Health and Safety officer must apply management principles to safety in terms of: (a) Policy formation (b) Planning (c) Implementation and operation (d) Measuring performance (e) Reviewing performance (f) Auditing. The Health and Safety Officer will also have overall responsibility for the corporate risk management system – the identification, maintenance and management of risk at directorate level will remain with directors, as will the responsibility for implementing the health and safety system within directorates.

The Health and Safety Officer will be the first point of contact and the liaison person in relation to any investigations, which have the potential to become criminal investigations. The Health and Safety Officer will manage the Council’s response to such investigations and will defend the interests of the Council. The Health and Safety Officer will also assist individual staff members in relation to any such investigations

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE FOR THE ROLE The ideal candidate for the position shall: ▪ have experience of participating in multi-disciplinary and cross functional teams and have the ability to motivate, empower, encourage, and achieve maximum efficiency and value for money from the personnel and processes under their control; ▪ have experience of supporting the management and scheduling of a multiannual portfolio of projects within budget and on time; ▪ have a track record of delivering results; ▪ have an understanding of Local Authority services and structures in Ireland; ▪ be capable of working in close consultation with key stakeholders and in seeking co-operation and consensus with a whole range of bodies and representative groups; ▪ be experienced in meeting regularly with stakeholders, providing updates, presentations, and reports, taking customer feedback, and ensuring any learning from same is used to enhance the operations of the organisation; ▪ be experienced in contributing to the operational and strategic planning processes and in the implementation of the agreed aims of same; ▪ have excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills; ▪ have good knowledge and awareness of statutory obligations of Health and Safety Legislation, the implications for the organization and the employee, and their application in the workplace; ▪ have experience of managing finance and budgets and ensuring value for money; ▪ have experience of providing information on the pattern of demand and activity and the skills to schedule/programme the carrying out of work; ▪ have good general ICT skills; ▪ have a focus on the customer and on service improvement including taking ownership and resolving issues arising. DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES: The ideal candidate will also: • Have a good knowledge of public service policies, services, and activities; • Be able to work within, and contribute positively to, multi-disciplinary teams; • Have higher report writing skills together with an ability to produce high quality analysis and reporting; • Be able to demonstrate a strong ability in the following areas: o Team Leadership; o Judgement, Analysis and Decision Making; o Management and Delivery of Results o Have knowledge of health & safety legislation and safety regulations; • Have experience in the management and supervision of staff; • Have an ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks. • Hold a current full Class B driving licence free from endorsements. When required to do so, holders of this office shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient experience and a proven track record in the following: • Planning and prioritisation of workloads

• Dealing effectively with conflicting demands • Working under pressure to tight deadlines • Adapting to change • Problem solving • Administration and report writing • Operation of ICT systems and standard office software packages • Project management • Budget management • Acting on own initiative • Ability to communicate effectively across various levels within an organisation • Maintaining confidentiality

DUTIES The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require. The duties will include but will not be limited to the following:

• Ensuring the co-ordination of the occupational health & safety management system and advise on its implementation and requirement for updating. • Promoting a positive safety culture and conducting safety awareness campaigns. • Producing the required information for monthly and annual safety reports. • Complete inspections and audits at planned intervals of the occupational health & safety management system. • Update the health & safety section of the intranet with relevant information and develop safety alerts/toolbox talks and issue to staff. • Update the ancillary/site specific safety statements in their section on an annual basis or more frequently if required. • Prepare generic/routine risk assessments for each workplace, task & activity. • Audit the completion and implementation of all risk assessments and provide support and advice in the preparation of site specific risk assessments and SSWP’s for site specific construction work. • Investigate all accidents, dangerous occurrences and near misses to confirm the root cause, corrective and preventive actions and advice personnel as necessary. • Where necessary report to the Health & Safety Authority all reportable accidents & dangerous occurrences. • Discuss actual and potential non-conformities and preventive action requests with line managers/employees in their section. • Carry out duties as specified by management relating to the protection from and prevention of occupational risk and accidental loss in Clare County Council. • Provide assistance in the assessment of contractors safety documentation where necessary and in the competence assessment of duty holders in accordance with the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations S.I. No 291 of 2013. • Provide recommendations on and input to the delivery of health & safety training programmes to ensure that all staff are aware of health & safety requirements. • Active participation in the implementation of programmes and projects across all service areas. • Participating in and supporting the management of an engineering / administrative workforce and associated issues including PMDS. • Implementing agreed milestones and timescales, setting achievable targets and indicators. • Ensuring that staff are trained and operate within the relevant skill sets. • Ensuring an efficient and effective response to all stakeholders. • The proactive implementation of council policy and its corporate plan. • Carrying out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST OF HEALTH & SAFETY OFFICER Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing and/or interview processes will be based primarily on the information provided by candidates in the application form:

MANAGEMENT AND CHANGE

• Displays the ability to think and act strategically from a management and Health & Safety perspective. • Clear understanding, awareness, and experience of practical reality of delivery and promotion of services. • Political awareness, have clear understanding of political reality and context of the organisation and develops and maintains positive, productive, and beneficial working relationships with all stakeholders, in particular Government Departments and Elected Members. • Effectively manages the introduction of change, fosters a culture of creativity in employees and overcomes resistance to change, demonstrates flexibility and an openness to change. • Planning and prioritising work in terms of importance, timescales, and other resource constraints.

DELIVERING RESULTS

• Makes timely informed and effective decisions and shows good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations. • Contributes to the development of operational plans and to the development of specific team plans. • Demonstrates ability to manage resources to ensure they are used effectively to deliver quality outcomes in line with operational and team plans. • Ensures compliance with council and external agency procedures and protocols. • Displays the ability to manage complex projects within legal, fiduciary and engineering requirements. • Takes responsibility for challenging tasks and is accountable for delivery of same. • Successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities simultaneously. • Applies appropriate systems/processes to enable quality checking of all activities and outputs. • Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high quality customer service, for internal and external customers.

PERFORMANCE THROUGH PEOPLE

• Leads, motivates, and engages employees to achieve quality results and to deliver on operational plans. • Demonstrates ability to effectively manage performance, including conflict resolution. • Has highly effective verbal and written communication skills and record keeping. • Demonstrates the ability and experience of promoting awareness, interest, pride and understanding in engineering matters. • Demonstrates ability to work in a multi-discipline team environment. • Understanding and adhering to the code of conduct for all employees.

PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS

• Is self-motivated and maintains a positive constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role. • Manages time and workload effectively with particular reference to statutory obligations and timeframes. • Demonstrates the required specialist technical knowledge, understanding and training for the role. • Personal Motivation, Initiative and Achievement; is enthusiastic about the role and sets challenging goals to achieve high quality outcomes. • Behaves in an honest, trustworthy, and respectful manner and is transparent, fair, and consistent in dealing with others. • Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation • Demonstrates enthusiasm for new developments/changing work practices and strives to implement these changes effectively

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST ESSENTIAL CRITERIA 1. Character Each candidate must 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. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: a) Hold an honours degree (Level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in: (i) Health and Safety or (ii) Engineering, Architecture, and/or Science, with a diploma in Health and Safety b) Have a satisfactory knowledge of the following: • effective communications and liaison with officials from the regulatory authorities, • the management of risks from fire such as fire prevention and the carrying out fire drills, • risk management in relation to hazardous substances and occupational diseases, • providing the required input for health and safety related training course/s and manuals for the organisation, • understanding of Local Government, and the construction industry, • Health and Safety legislation, statutory requirements, their implications for the workplace, and an appreciation of the legal process, c) Have at least 3 years satisfactory relevant experience, including adequate experience in the areas specified below:

• the management of an appropriate audit process, • planning practical and effective methods, both preventative and remedial, of promoting work practices that comply with health and safety requirements, • of working with committees, • the preparation and regular revision of Health and Safety statements and strategies, • Staff supervision, and relevant administration, • maintaining accurate records, particularly of inspection findings, of incidents and accidents, and the preparation of reports, and statistical data required by management and the H.S.A., • the regular review of work methods and processes, which identify and take account of all relevant hazards, • supporting line managers in the preparation, implementation, and regular review of safety related documentation including risk assessments, including advising on how risks can be reduced, • operating a safety management system. d) Possess a full, clean driving licence. Failure to input and upload proof of essential educational qualifications in your application form will deem you ineligible for this competition. *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. 4. Age Each candidate must be under 70 years of age on the latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms for the office if they are deemed not to be new entrants to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. However, the age restriction of 70 years does not apply to "new entrants" to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. 5. 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.

PARTICULARS OF POST Salary: The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Starting pay for new entrants to the sector will be at the minimum of the scale.

The current annual salary scale applicable to the post is €59,067 - €61,217 - €63,366 - €65,520 - €67,672 - €69,823 - €71,976 - €74,116 - €76,280 - €78,425 - €80,897 (LSI1) - €82,108 (LSI2) (March 2025)

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