Nature Based Solutions (NbS) Co-Ordinator

Role and Duties of the Post

Introduction:

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have provided funding for a dedicated NbS staff member in each of the 31 Local Authorities to support, promote and mainstream the application of NbS, during the period 2026-2030.

The NbS funding programme aims to build capacity, knowledge and learnings within the public sector in terms of the implementation, design and construction of nature-based solutions.

The role will support and help to achieve actions contained in the National Strategy for Nature Based Management of Rainwater and Surface Water Discharges, in accordance with the programme of measures as identified under the Water Action Plan (2024). It will also assist Local Authorities to achieve their NbS related actions contained within Local Authority Climate Actions Plans (2024-2029) and Local Authority Biodiversity Action Plans.

The NbS Coordinator post will support the delivery of NbS projects and promote and mainstream NbS, rainwater management planning and water sensitive design approaches across the local authority.

The Coordinator will be working with all sections within the Local Authority to identify potential new NbS projects and also provide updates on DHLGH funded NbS capital projects.

Duties:

The duties of the office are to give the local authority and

(a) to such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive for the purposes of the Local Government Act, 2001, is Chief Executive, and

(b) to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph

Under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other officer as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate management, executive, supervisory, advisory and ancillary services 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 servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The holder of the office will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.

The duties shall include but are not limited to:

➢ Carry out an annual assessment and report on how NBS is being embedded as a core aspect of both design and construction stage of local authority projects.

➢ Assess the training needs of local authority staff to help them effectively incorporate NBS into their capital projects. Where necessary, arrange training events/webinars etc. with the support of the River Basin Management Service etc.

➢ Engage with Climate Action, Capital/Special projects, Roads Departments, Biodiversity Officers and other relevant sections within the local authority to promote the mainstreaming and delivery of NbS projects. Put in place governance and reporting arrangements to facilitate this.

➢ Support and provide training of planning staff on how to assess planning applications for compliance with NBS policy and protocol to ensure a good standard of NBS incorporation into Part 8 and all other planning applications.

➢ Engage directly with Town Regeneration teams and Capital Project teams to ensure NbS measures are included at the planning and design stage of large-scale projects (e.g. URDF, RRDF etc.).

➢ Engage with colleagues to support them in the provision of informed technical input on NbS projects, including design and drafting input where appropriate, to ensure they meet policy and performance standards.

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.

Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the Tipperary County Council administrative area.

Qualifications:

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.

g) Non-EEA citizens with a valid work permit.

Character

Candidates shall be of good character

Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:-

Hold at least an ordinary Batchelor’s degree, level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications.

The post may suit any of the following disciplines, engineering, planning, science or other analogous grades.

Experience: Ideally holds at least three years satisfactory relevant experience post-graduation, including experience related to local authority service provision, and direct experience of the design, implementation and management of nature-based solutions in water management in capital projects.

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.

Salary:

Current Salary Scale: €60,858 - €84,596 (2nd LSI)

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time.

The employee shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to or received by him/her by virtue of his/her employment or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point (currently €60,858).

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.