Outdoor Recreation Officer

Every day in communities across the country, Sport Ireland through its network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSP) helps people to get active and removes barriers to sport and physical activity. Working with trusted professionals and valued volunteers the LSP network engages communities across the country to deliver inclusive, impactful and sustainable opportunities tailored to local needs, to get Ireland more physically active, involved in sport, and improving the mental and physical health of the nation. The Outdoor Recreation Officer role employed in the Local Sports Partnership, will work in collaboration with the local authority, local development company, state agencies and other key stakeholders to support a more coordinated, cohesive approach to outdoor recreation at county level. The Outdoor Recreation Officer will coordinate the development of a County Outdoor Recreation Plan to support the sustainable development of outdoor recreation in their county. The position will aim to support and increase the number of people active in the outdoors while ensuring that best practice is implemented. This role is part of an Outdoor Recreation Officer pilot programme being funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and supported by Sport Ireland for the first time. The programme of work may be revised based on the success of these pilots and the findings from the evaluation of the programme. The Outdoor Recreation Officer role will promote cross-collaboration and provide expertise and guidance to the outdoor recreation sector in their county. They will also coordinate the delivery and reporting of the County Outdoor Recreation Plan.

DUTIES The key duties and responsibilities of the post of Outdoor Recreation Officer include but are not limited to: • Identify and engage stakeholders for the County Outdoor Recreation Committee (CORC) and Stakeholder Forum and support their operation. • Coordinate and implement the County Outdoor Recreation Plan with the CORC and monitor and report on progress. • Build partnerships with key stakeholders to strengthen and develop outdoor recreation initiatives. • Identify skills gaps and training needs in the County, and coordinate training and events for stakeholders in partnership with Sport Ireland Outdoors • Host County Forums/Groups twice per annum and actively participate in national networks. • Ensure Committee actions are implemented by stakeholders, and report to Sport Ireland within LSP structures. • Provide timely, standardised data and reporting on activity and outcomes aligned to national and local strategies. • Promote national standards and best practices locally and engage with national governing bodies and practitioners. • Coordinate the local delivery of national communications campaigns on responsible behaviour in the outdoors and consistently advocate this messaging through engagement with stakeholders. • Support the expansion of nature-based physical activity programmes and coordinate the local delivery of national communications campaigns. • Ensure the accuracy of outdoor recreation opportunities listed on the National Digital Database • Provide expert technical advice and guidance on all aspects of outdoor recreation and embed good practice into multiple stakeholders' organizations. • Act as a single point of contact for all outdoor recreation stakeholders in the County, and guide community groups through the trail planning, build, and maintenance process • Act as secretariat for the CORC and provide support for the Chair. • Participate & take part in the duties as required as part of the Organisational response to Climate Action to promote & ensure capacity building, empowering change and delivering action • Undertake any other relevant and related duties as required Qualifications 1. Character Candidates shall be of good character. 2. 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. 3. 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 4. Education, Training and Experience etc. Each candidate must, on the latest date of receipt of completed application forms – • Hold a recognised third level qualification in recreation management, sports studies, environmental management or related field • Candidates should have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in the outdoor recreation sector or have a minimum of 5 years of demonstratable experience relevant to the role responsibilities. • Knowledge of the outdoor recreation sector, stakeholders, and programmes • Good understanding of the “Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors”, its objectives and actions • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills • Strong facilitation abilities and a proven track record in leading group discussions and collaborations • Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) • Good organisational and time management skills • An understanding of research and evaluation methods • Effective team player in the context of a multidisciplinary team • Ability to work under pressure • Health/safety and risk awareness Desirable: • QQI level 8 honours degree in relevant field • Further Education or Training relevant to the post in relation to physical activity, social integration/inclusion, stakeholder engagement, facilitation • First Aid Training • Mental Health First Aid Training • Experience working with public bodies, state agencies and the private sector • Experience of strategy development and implementation including stakeholder engagement processes • Experience of working with underrepresented groups such as people of differing abilities and/or from vulnerable groups • Experience in delivering physical activity interventions in both the individual and group setting. • Involved in marketing and delivering communication campaigns. • Experience in performing research and evaluation in relevant settings. • Chairing and acting as secretariat PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT 1. The Post The post is wholetime (i.e. 35 hours per week) 2 year Specific-Purpose Contract. 2. Location Longford County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense. 3. Commencement Longford County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Longford County Council shall not appoint them. 4. Working Hours The successful candidate needs to be aware of the fact that the job is not nine to five Monday to Friday but may require evening work and weekends. Also, the successful candidate may be required to travel as part of their work. All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Longford County Council requires employees to record their hours using a Clocking system. 5. Reporting Arrangements Outdoor Recreation Officers report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Longford County Council as the Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct. 6. Probationary Period of Employment There shall be a period after appointment during which the appointee will hold the position on probation. The period of probation will be prescribed by the Chief Executive. Employment may be terminated during the probationary period should service be deemed by the Chief Executive to be unsatisfactory. Employment may be terminated at the end of the probationary period unless the Chief Executive has certified that the employee had satisfactory service. Tenure of employment following probation will be subject to satisfactory service. 7. Remuneration The current salary scale for the post of Outdoor Recreation Officer is €51,210 - €61,252 LSI 2 gross per annum (Circular EL 03/2025), the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Circulars. On appointment successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history. Remuneration is paid fortnightly by Pay-Path directly to the employees nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g. P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory. 8. Superannuation & Retirement A person who becomes a pensionable employee of the County Council will be required in respect of their Superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the appropriate rate. The terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 as amended or the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 or the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme & Other Provisions) Act 2012 will apply as appropriate on appointment. Retirement age for employees is dependent on their relevant contract of employment, with due consideration being given to the rules of the Superannuation Scheme to which they belong. • For appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 70 years of age. • The minimum retirement age for “new entrants” to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age. • Effective from 1st January, 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks: - Retirement age is set, initially, at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the State Pension Contributory (SPC) age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028. - Compulsory retirement age will be 70. 9. Annual Leave The current annual leave entitlement for Outdoor Recreation Officer is 30 days per annum, in accordance with the Council’s Annual Leave Policy. The Chief Executive of Longford County Council retains autonomy with regard to office closures, (e.g. Christmas Office Closure), any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement. Proposed office closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year. 10. Driver’s Licence & Insurance Longford County Council employees may on occasion be required to use their car on official business. In such situations the employee must hold a current clean driver’s licence and have available adequate means of transport. It is the responsibility of the employee to arrange the appropriate car insurance cover for business use and to indemnify Longford County Council with the indemnity specified on your insurance certificate under the heading “Persons or classes of person who are covered”. Documentation to confirm the appropriate insurance cover will be required to be supplied to the Council on an annual basis. 11. Code of Conduct/Organisation Policies Employees are required to adhere to all current and future Longford County Council codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational policies including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Staff Mobility, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment. 12. Training Employees are required to attend and participate fully in training programmes as may be decided by the Council from time to time and to apply their learning in the course of their daily working activities. 13. Health and Safety Regulations Longford County Council as an Employer is obliged to ensure, so far as it is reasonably practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all of its employees. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect the Safety, Health and Welfare of its employees. All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to co-operate with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do anything, which would place themselves or others at risk. Employees must not be under the influence of an intoxicant at the place of work. Employees must comply with all Safety and Health rules and regulations and attend all required Safety and Health Training. 14. Outside Employment The position is whole-time, and the employee may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Important Notice The above represents the principal conditions of service and is not intended to be the comprehensive list of all terms and conditions of employment which will be set out in the employment contract to be agreed with the successful candidate.