Litter Warden

The Role

Reporting to the Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel and Sports Directorate, the Litter Warden will play a pivotal role in enforcing litter laws and promoting cleanliness throughout the County as set out in the objectives and actions of the Fingal County Council Litter Management Plan.

The Litter Warden will also liaise directly with the Dog Warden Service contractor and the Animal Welfare Section on issues relating to the issuing of Litter Fines, patrols and educational awareness activities. They will also liaise and co-operate with the Waste Enforcement Section and the Operations Department on matters regarding litter enforcement and illegal dumping.

Duties

The key duties of the Litter Warden include, but are not limited to:

• Deliver on the objectives and actions as set out in the Fingal County Council Litter Management Plan.

• Investigating incidences of littering and illegal dumping, including front gardens, basements, private property or any other land where litter and/or waste is visible from a public place.

• Receiving, investigating, and concluding complaints received by phone, email or through the CRM platform.

• Scheduled patrols of litter blackspots and bring banks.

• Scheduled weekly walking patrols of town centres, beaches, parks, and open spaces.

• Scheduled inspections of businesses, including takeaway and licensed premises, to remind them of and ensure they are compliant with their responsibilities under the Litter Pollution Act 1997–2009.

• Investigation, reporting, and recommendations on reports received on alleged Abandoned Vehicles under Section 71 of the Waste Management Act 1996.

• Issuing fines, including on-the-spot fines, Warning Notices, and Section 16 Notices.

• Making recommendations for Direct Prosecutions for repeat litter offenders.

• Ensuring timely prosecutions of offenders.

• Appearing and testifying in court proceedings.

• Reviewing CCTV footage and preparing fines.

• Inputting data on the Litter App to capture litter and illegal dumping hot spots.

• Conducting Litter Pollution monitoring surveys annually.

• Building and maintaining positive working relationships with key internal stakeholders and other Fingal County Council departments.

• Attending training courses as required and maintaining awareness of any legislative changes relevant to the role.

• Ensuring good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety legislation and regulations, including their implications for the organisation and employees, and their application in the workplace.

• Any other duties as may be assigned.

These tasks, which are indicative rather than exhaustive, are carried out under general supervision.

Persons appointed may be required to work in any location within the Fingal administrative area.

Qualifications and Requirements of the Post

Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

Health

Candidates must be in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of being able to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Candidates must, on the latest date of receipt of completed application forms, have:

(a) Attained a standard of education that enables them to carry out efficiently the duties of the position and functions of the job.

(b) Basic IT skills.

(c) Hold a current clean full driving licence to drive a motor vehicle.

Driving Licence

Holders of the office will be required to drive a motor car in the course of their duties and must therefore hold a current full driving licence (Class B) free from disqualification and medical limitations.

Desirables

The ideal candidate shall be able to demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and management skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

• The ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including law enforcement, community groups, and businesses.

• The ability to prepare and produce accurate reports for court.

• Proficiency in using CRM systems and other relevant technology.

Candidates may be shortlisted for interview based on the desirables listed above.

Uniform

The person appointed will be required to wear a uniform, including a luminous safety vest and all other appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (which will be supplied by the Council) at all times when on duty, unless otherwise authorised by the County Council.

Particulars of Employment

The employment is whole-time, permanent, and pensionable.

Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority and are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of the social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required, under the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

Probation

(a) There shall be a period after such employment takes effect during which such persons shall hold the employment on probation.

(b) The probation period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may, at their discretion, extend such period.

(c) Persons shall cease to hold employment at the end of the probation period unless, during that period, the Chief Executive certifies that their service is satisfactory.

Salary

€757.02 – €792.76 per week.

Persons who are not serving local authority employees will be appointed at the minimum of the scale.

Holders of the post 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 post or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Health

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the Local Authority.

Retirement Age

The retirement age is 70 years.

Recruitment

A local authority may, due to the number of applicants, carry out a shortlisting procedure. The number of persons to be invited to interview will be determined by the local authority based on the likely number of vacancies.

Selection will be by means of an interview conducted by or on behalf of the local authority. Candidates must cover any expenses incurred in attending the interview.

Panels may be formed based on interview results. Candidates on a panel who satisfy the local authority that they possess the necessary qualifications and are suitable for employment may be offered positions as vacancies arise within the life of the panel.

The local authority will require a person to whom employment is offered to take up the employment within no more than 6 weeks. If the person fails to do so, or fails to do so within a longer period determined at the absolute discretion of the local authority, the authority shall not employ the person.