Park Ranger

The Position

Limerick City and County Council is responsible for the provision of a wide range of services for the people of Limerick. One of its significant responsibilities is the management of the Horticultural Department. We are currently creating a panel for the position of Park Ranger within the Horticultural Department. All permanent and temporary vacancies will be filled at Park Ranger grade throughout the lifetime of this panel.

Park Rangers are key front line people who patrol the public parks and ensure compliance with the relevant rules and bye laws of these parks.

The Horticultural Department is responsible for the management of public parks and other publicly owned open spaces, playgrounds, etc. The department is also responsible for tree planting, forestry, street and bridge decoration with hanging baskets, etc.

Duties:

• Patrol the parks on foot to prevent vandalism and malicious damage and to ensure that order is maintained in accordance with Rules and Bye-Laws as above.

• Carry out such cleaning and general maintenance duties as are assigned to ensure that the parks are kept in a clean and tidy condition.

• Instruct persons to leave park areas if misbehaving or prohibited from entering and ensuring that the park is vacated at closing time.

• Call emergency services, Gardaí, ambulance, etc., when necessary.

• Report promptly to Supervisor any hazards to the public or Council staff discovered in the course of duties.

• Monitor the safe use of children’s playgrounds.

• Keep such records and making such reports as may be required.

• Wear uniform supplied at all times while on duty.

• Open and close park gates, at the appropriate times.

• Carry out any other duties which may be assigned from time to time.

The Person

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.

Candidates will demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that they:

• Reached a standard of education sufficient to enable them to carry out the duties satisfactorily;

• Possess good communication/people management skills;

• Be capable of keeping written reports as required;

• Have the ability to work as part of a team;

• Have the ability to work on own initiative, in an independent environment and without constant supervision.

Terms and Conditions

The Post:

A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Director General. The panel may be used by Limerick City and County Council to fill permanent and temporary positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

Annual Leave:

The successful candidate will have 25 days per annum including Good Friday.

Salary:

Salary scale: €1,540.82 to €1,587.48, paid fortnightly. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and 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 €1,540.82 per fortnight).

Location:

Limerick City and County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to travel to and from work at their own expense.

Hours of Work:

The current hours of duty are a 5 day, 39 hour week roster. The hours of opening of the parks may vary from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Sunday inclusive during the winter months and from 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. Monday to Sunday inclusive during the summer months. The successful applicant will be required to work a combination of days, Monday to Sunday as determined by the Supervisor. The Council reserves the right to alter the number of hours worked each day/week and/or the times at or the days on which the hours are to be worked. The post holder will be given as much notice as is reasonably practicable of any change in the schedule of hours worked. The post holder may be required to work overtime depending on work requirements and be available to respond to call-outs outside of normal working hours at the request of the area Supervisor or persons appointed to positions of authority. Where possible the post–holder will be notified in advance. Sunday, Public holiday and night work may also apply if requested; the successful applicant will have to make themselves available for work. The provisions of Limerick City and County Council’s Time and Attendance Policy is applicable to this grade at the current time.

Sick Leave:

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

Superannuation:

The Local Government Superannuation Scheme applies.

Travel:

Holders of the post should hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall be required to 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. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and local authority Travel and Subsistence Policy. Limerick City and County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy. If during your employment your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

Residence:

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

Safety and Welfare:

The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Limerick City and County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. The successful candidate shall make themselves aware of the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety, clothing and equipment.

Training:

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

Taking Up Appointment:

The local authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of four weeks and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint them.

Garda Vetting:

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 came into effect on 29th April 2016. The Act places a statutory obligation on Limerick City and County Council to ensure that ‘any work or activity which is carried out by a person, a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of a person having access to or contact with children or vulnerable persons will be subject of Garda Vetting’.

Probation:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a local authority is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect, during which such person shall hold such post on probation.

(b) Such period shall be set by the Director General and this period may be extended at their discretion.

(c) Such person shall cease to hold the post at the end of the period of probation, unless during such period, the Manager has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory.

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.

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, Limerick City and County Council reserves the right to seek 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, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.

General Data Protection Regulation:

Basis for Processing your Personal Information

The basis for processing your personal data is to progress your application for the position you have applied for with Limerick City and County Council under the Terms of the Employment (Information) Act 1994 and Human Resources Department policies and procedures. If you do not furnish the personal data requested, Limerick City and County Council will not be able to progress your application form for the competition for which you are applying.

Pre-Employment Medical:

Prior to appointment the candidate will be required to complete a Health Declaration and will be required to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the Council. The cost of this examination shall be refunded on appointment subject to statutory tax and statutory deductions.