Marine Project Officer

Louth County Council is seeking a Marine Project Officer to lead a transformative programme tackling the impacts of climate change on coastal and marine ecosystems.

Funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), Coastal Monitoring and Adaptation Planning (CMAP) is a €9.6 million cross border project, led by Ulster University, that will help create sustainable adaptation to the threats posed by climate change and provide decision makers and stakeholders at the coast with information on the nature of coastal change. CMAP focuses on integrating scientific research, community engagement and policy development to deliver sustainable coastal adaptation strategies.

Purpose

The role supports the delivery of CMAP’s objectives to:

• Develop and implement coastal monitoring protocols and datasets for sand, rock and saltmarsh environments.

• Advance nature based solutions for habitat and species recovery, including saltmarsh, seagrass, native oyster and seabird conservation.

• Facilitate community engagement and co design of coastal adaptation plans and toolkits across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

• Promote cross border collaboration, ensuring harmonised strategies for coastal resilience and marine ecosystem restoration.

Impact

This role is central to creating Ireland’s first integrated coastal monitoring and adaptation framework, influencing policy development and fostering a resilient, sustainable marine environment through evidence based strategies and community driven action.

Duties

The duties may include but are not limited to the following and the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him or her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Project Management

• Project management and delivery of the CMAP project in County Louth.

• Ensure the key activities and deliverables are achieved on time and within budget.

• Manage relationships with funders and partners as required.

• Ensure all funding requirements are met, including progress reports and claims.

• Liaise with stakeholders and possible project partners to further the wider objectives of habitat restoration.

• Conduct fieldwork to survey and sample habitats and species using appropriate survey methodologies.

• Procurement of appropriate sampling and project equipment and expert consultants associated with the project.

• Budget and data management.

Citizen Science and Marine Education

• Promote and deliver citizen science and outreach events in support of marine habitat restoration, including organisation and scheduling of public events.

• Develop best practices for citizen science surveys in support of blue carbon habitat restoration, providing relevant technical input.

• Support the wider CMAP Marine team with citizen science events.

Health and Safety Policy and Procedure

• Comply with all Louth County Council and national workplace health and safety policies and legislation.

• Comply with all statutory consents and permissions regarding the sites and wider survey activity.

• Maintain and enforce biosecurity protocol.

• Responsible for the appropriate and safe use and maintenance of field survey and other equipment for use on projects.

• Ensure surveys completed by consultants or external parties comply with all health and safety requirements, for example diving.

Wider Climate and Biodiversity Output of the Council

• Deliver any other tasks that may be assigned by council management.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him or her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Louth County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Louth County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This panel will exist for 12 months and may only be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Essential Criteria

Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

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.

Education and Experience

Candidates shall on the latest date for receipt of completed applications:

(a) Hold an Honours degree, level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications, in Science.

(b) Have at least five years satisfactory experience of scientific work.

(c) Possess a high standard of technical training and experience.

Candidates must also:

• Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned.

• Be suitable on grounds of character.

• Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned.

• Have demonstrable work experience in conservation, coastal or marine science, habitat restoration, botany, ecology or a relevant environmental management field.

• Possess a high standard of technical training and experience in the relevant areas of natural sciences and natural resource management.

• Possess a high standard of administrative, financial, project management, communications and public engagement experience.

• Have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation and public procurement, or the ability to acquire such knowledge.

Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they:

• Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are or may be required to be performed.

• Are fully competent, available to undertake and fully capable of undertaking the duties attached to the position.

• Hold a current, full Category B driving licence and have access to their own car.

Salary

Salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies, other than his or her inclusive salary, payable to and received by him or her by virtue of his or her office or in respect of services which he or she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale for the position of Executive Scientist is €60,255 - €83,758, including Long Service Increment 2. Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL.02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1 January 2011 will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.

Probation

Where a person who is not already a permanent officer of Louth County Council is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

• There will be a probationary period of nine months from date of employment.

• The Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend this period.

• You shall cease to hold office at the end of the period of probation unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that your service is satisfactory.

Location of Post

Louth County Council reserves the right to assign the post holder to any council premises, now or in the future, subject to reasonable notice. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide himself or herself at his or her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

Superannuation

A. Officers joining the Public Service after 1 January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. A Class A rate of PRSI contribution will apply. A rate of 3 percent of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5 percent of net pensionable remuneration, that is pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory, applies. This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme.

OR

B. Officers who became pensionable officers of the Public Service prior to 1 January 2013 and who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5 percent of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5 percent of the net pensionable remuneration, that is pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory. You will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5 percent of your pensionable remuneration to the Spouses and Children’s Pension Scheme.

OR

C. Officers who became pensionable officers of a Public Service prior to 5 April 1995 and who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 5 percent of their pensionable remuneration. If an option to join a dependent scheme was made you will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5 percent to a Dependents Pension Scheme.

Retirement

Retirement is dependent on the superannuation scheme you become a member of and details will be made available to you upon appointment.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it may be necessary for the successful candidate, before he or she is appointed, to undergo at his or her expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

Residence

The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which his or her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

References

Applicants are required to advise the names of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related. At least one of the referees should be an existing or former employer.

In advance of any offer of employment, Louth County Council reserves the right to seek both written and verbal references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriiateness and relevance of such references and referees.

Hours of Work

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty five hour working week. A flexible working hours system is in operation and may be availed of subject to the terms and conditions of the Flexitime Policy.

Sick Leave

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement for the position will be 30 days. Louth County Council’s leave year runs from 1 January to 31 December. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, as amended.

Start Date

The successful candidate will commence on direction from Directors of Service or the Chief Executive. Should they fail to take up the appointment on direction, the council at its discretion may not appoint them.