Senior Community Water Officers and Senior Staff Officers

INTRODUCTION

The EU Water Framework Directive [WFD] 2000 seeks to protect and improve our natural waters, including rivers, lakes, groundwater, coastal water, and transitional waters. The Water Framework Directive objectives are implemented through River Basin Management Plans [RBMPs] and Programmes of Measures [POMs].

In July 2014, the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government issued the European Union [Water Policy] Regulations 2014, which gave effect to a new, three tier, governance framework and placed new obligations on local authorities to co-ordinate the catchment management and public participation elements of the Water Framework Directive. To enable local authorities to meet their objectives, they have established the Local Authority Waters Programme [LAWPRO] to facilitate a coordinated regional approach.

Kilkenny County Councils and Tipperary County Council, acting jointly, have been appointed as lead local authorities to act on behalf of all local authorities in managing this Programme. The Programme has two main elements: The Communities Team and the Catchment Assessment Team.

CONTEXT

LAWPRO is leading a ‘new approach’ to water management in Ireland that involves coordination and close cooperation between local authorities, WFD implementing bodies and stakeholders for the development and implementation of national River Basin Management Plans. The overall aim of this approach is to protect and restore good water quality in Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries, groundwater, and coastal waters through integrated catchment management. Achieving that aim will require active involvement of local authorities and other public bodies, water users and local communities.

Implementation of the River Basin Management Plan is co-ordinated on a regional basis by the five water and environment management committees, comprising representatives of each local authority in the Region and the EPA. This structure drives collaboration and integration, both within local authorities, between local authorities and externally with other public agencies. The shared service’s approach to delivery includes all stakeholders through a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency structure. This shared service arrangement takes account of the need to deliver maximum benefit with limited resource availability.

LAWPRO ensures that its resources are utilised locally to implement the River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018 – 2021 and the proposed 2022-2027 Plan [RBMP]. The strategic role of the Programme is:

• To promote knowledge sharing and coordination in implementing RBMPs and Programme of Measures [POMs] by local authorities, other public authorities, sectoral interests, and community groups.

• To co-ordinate/undertake statutorily required public consultation in the development of RBMPs and POMs and a public awareness campaign in water resources management.

• To seek consistency of RBMP implementation across agencies.

• To assist the Minister and the EPA and work collaboratively with local authorities in the development of RBMPs and POMs.

• To mobilise and support engagement of voluntary and community groups in protecting our natural waters.

• To foster linkages with industry and agricultural sectors.

• To develop linkages with local sectoral representative organisations, such as Catchment Partnerships, Rural Development Companies, Rivers Trusts, Tidy Towns Groups, business and industry sectors including Chambers of Commerce, county level farming organisations, sports clubs and volunteering sectors, angling and outdoor recreational user groups, etc.

In July 2023, LAWPRO and its partners were successful in their bid to deliver a new Water European Innovative Partnership (EIP) Project. The Water EIP is a national pilot specifically focusing on reducing losses of phosphorus, nitrogen, sediment and, where relevant, pesticides to water from agricultural lands by promoting the adoption of innovative best practice in nutrient management, the application of nature-based Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM) and other suitable measures at the farm level following the principles of Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) and science.

LAWPRO is now seeking to add to its Water Framework Directive (WFD) Team with the initial recruitment of five Senior Community Water Officers (Grade VI), to be assigned as Senior Community Water Officer in each of the five LAWPRO regions. The recruitment process for the WFD Team will be managed by Kilkenny County Council on behalf of LAWPRO. A panel will be formed from which any future Senior Community Water Officer fixed term positions in any other LAWPRO regional office across the country may be filled.

LAWPRO regional offices are currently located as follows:

• Border Region: Donegal town, Co. Donegal; Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim and Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan.

• Midlands and East Region: Dublin 8, Dublin and Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

• South-East Region: Clonmel and Tipperary town, Co. Tipperary and Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny.

• South-West Region: Croom, Co. Limerick and Inniscarra, Co. Cork.

• Western Region: Liosbán Business Park, Galway; Castlebar, Co. Mayo and Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

A Fixed Term Contract of Employment will be issued by the relevant lead Local Authority and it is envisaged that contract will terminate on or before the 22nd December 2027. A review of LAWPRO is currently being undertaken by the County and City Management Association (CCMA) as part of action delivery under the Water Action Plan 2024, to inform the appropriate level of resources required to deliver the Water Action Plan up to end of 2027, and beyond to the 4th Cycle of the Water Framework Directive. Further opportunities may arise in LAWPRO resulting from this review.

Public Consultation on the timetable and work programme for Ireland’s fourth-cycle Water Action Plan 2028 – 2033 has commenced. It is likely that parts of the work schedule will be outside normal office hours, so flexibility will be required. Should current permanent/full-time Local Authority staff be successful and accept a post in this competition, appropriate secondment arrangements will be put in place.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Minimum Eligibility Requirements are the minimum requirements required for the specialist Senior Community Water Officer position and are set out by LAWPRO in consultation with Kilkenny/Tipperary County Council Human Resources Departments and the Water Policy Unit of the DHLGH as they are not set centrally by the Department. Applicants will be required to submit scanned images of documentation to establish the applicant meets the following minimum eligibility criteria:

Please note failure to upload all required documents i.e. qualifications, I.D. etc., at submission stage will automatically result in an invalid application. Also, failure to fully complete each question on the application form may deem your application invalid (answers which redirect to other responses are not permitted).

• 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, Training, Experience etc. Candidates shall:

  • Possess a FETAC/QQI Level 7 or equivalent qualification in Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering with a minimum of three years’ post qualification experience relevant to the requirements of the role.

  • Or possess a FETAC/QQI Level 7 or equivalent qualification in Sustainable Rural Development or Community Development with a minimum of three years’ post qualification experience relevant to the requirements of the role.

  • Or an equivalent educational qualification with a minimum of three years’ post qualification experience relevant to the requirements of the role.

  • Or possess a minimum of four years’ experience relevant to the requirements of the role.

Transport & Driving Licence

It is essential the candidate has their own transport and a full Irish driving licence free from endorsements.

Desirable Requirements

A good knowledge of local government functions, policy, services and activities or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge.

The ideal candidate shall:

• Be able to lead, and work within, multi-disciplinary teams and have the ability to supervise, motivate, empower and develop staff through a performance management and development system (PMDS).

• Have strong leadership, management, interpersonal and communication skills.

• Have excellent knowledge and awareness of health & safety legislation and regulations, their implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.

• Have strong communication skills with a proven track record in public participation including in developing community groups and delivering community projects.

• Have a good appreciation of environmental matters including pollutants and water quality mechanisms by which surface waters and ground waters are impacted by pollution.

• Be able to work within and lead community groups, and motivate, empower, and encourage such groups to achieve maximum commitment and potential.

• Possess good organisational and I.T. skills.

Applicants should satisfy themselves they are eligible under the required qualifications. Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils may not be in a position to investigate the eligibility of all candidates in advance of the interview/examination, and hence persons who are ineligible but nevertheless enter, may put themselves to unnecessary expense.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Role

Reporting to a LAWPRO Regional Co-Ordinator, the Senior Community Water Officer (SCWO - Grade VI) will be responsible for delivering an annual work programme across an assigned regional geographical area. The role will require the post holder to take on specialist roles in support of the communities’ team in the day-to-day oversight and delivery of the community functions as well as develop and enhance delivery of the emerging community thematic areas. They will actively engage with the public in water matters, seeking participation, education, local inclusion, two-way communications, understanding and trust.

The post holder will also play a key role to increase public participation in line with the River Basin Management Plan [RBMP] objectives and in the establishment of the five pilot Catchment Community Fora (CCF). This person will be the main conduit with the management team and the communities’ team to deliver the overall objectives of the LAWPRO programme. The successful post-holder will require strong management and communication skills with an environmental and/or community development background.

Tasks associated with this role may include:

• Deputise for Regional Co-ordinators, as required.

• Develop work programmes for and supervision of Community Water Officers.

• Prepare regular reports on the regional community activity.

• With the Communications Lead and the Communities team, develop and deliver a programme of regular/scheduled media outreach including for the CCFs.

• Support the exchange of information and linkages between communities and the WFD Governance Structures, local authorities, eNGOs, and other stakeholders, as necessary.

• Build capacity within communities through the development of guidance on catchment scale community action project initiation and delivery.

• Provide guidance and support community groups to develop and deliver large scale community actions, which the groups will be independently responsible for implementing.

• Support community groups to seek funding and to prepare applications to access resources for implementing actions at the catchment scale within the region, in liaison with Funding lead and the regional Community Water Officers.

• Build capacity within the communities’ team by providing support and guidance to Community Water Officers to assist in the delivery of water actions at a Catchment Scale.

• Contribute to the review and evaluation of the CCF Pilots further develop the CCF model and framework, with an emphasis on improving operations, sustainability, scalability, or enhancing the active participation of its members in the model.

• Liaise and collaborate with Local Authority Environmental Awareness Officers, Heritage Officers, Biodiversity Officers, Climate Action Officers, and local Community Enterprise Officers.

• Engage proactively with local authority Public Participation Networks/Community Engagement Networks and CCFs.

• Support and promote WFD public participation objectives across the appointed region.

• Assist in developing and implementation of a programme of proactive public liaison.

• Assist in setup of Catchment Partnerships and River Trusts, as well as water related NGOs and liaise with same.

• Assist in progressing development and delivery of a Citizen Science Programme.

• Maintain adaptability and flexibility in programme delivery as integrated catchment management evolves.

• Other functions as required.

The Community Water Officer will be employed by either Kilkenny County Council or Tipperary County Council.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

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

In accordance with EL02/2011 persons who are not serving Local Authority employees must be placed on the minimum of the scale. Where a person being appointed is a serving Local Authority employee normal starting pay rules will apply. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy. The current salary scale for the post is €57,322 minimum of the scale to €70,030 maximum of the scale inclusive of LSI’s.

Superannuation Contribution

• Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012: New members joining the public sector on or after 1st January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. It applies to all first-time entrants to the Public Service as well as former public servants returning to the public sector after a break of more than 26 weeks. Contributions: 3% of gross pensionable remuneration and 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (gross pensionable remuneration less twice the value of the Contributory State Pension). Normal retirement age under this scheme is the same as the age at which the Contributory State Pension can be claimed. Minimum age for receipt: 66. Compulsory retirement age: 70 years.

• Persons who commenced in Public Service Employment after 6th April 1995 and prior to 1st January 2013: They will join the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998. Contributions are payable at the rate of 1.5% of basic salary, 3.5% of basic salary less twice the value of the Contributory State Pension, and a further 1.5% for spouse and children’s contributions. Minimum retirement age:

  • Non-New Entrants (those who became pensionable after 6th April 1995 and prior to 1st April 2004): 60 years, compulsory 70.

  • New Entrants (those who became pensionable after 1st April 2004 and prior to 1st January 2013): minimum 65, no compulsory retirement age.

• Persons who commenced in Public Service Employment before 6th April 1995: Minimum retirement age 60, compulsory retirement age 70 as per Department Circular Letter CL/2/2019. Contributions: 5% of basic salary and 1.5% of basic salary toward Widow’s & Orphan’s or Spouse & Children’s Scheme.

If the appointee was previously employed in the Civil Service or Public Service, note that Section 52 of the 2012 Act extends abatement of pension for all Civil and Public Servants re-employed where a Public Service Pension is in payment. This provision took effect on 1 November 2012. This may affect anyone currently in receipt of, or due to receive, a Civil or Public Service pension during this role.

Prior to appointment, successful applicants will be obliged to complete a declaration in relation to previous Public Service pensionable employment. Please note: in applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/Office will support an application for an abatement waiver.

Pension Accrual A 40-year limit applies to total service that can be counted towards pension where a person has been a member of more than one pre-existing public service pension scheme (i.e. non-Single Scheme) as per the 2012 Act. This may have implications for any appointee who has acquired pension rights in a previous public service employment.

Probation

• A probationary period will apply.

• The period shall be one year, but may be extended at the Chief Executive’s discretion.

• If not certified satisfactory, employment will cease at the end of probation.

Pre-Employment Medical Examination Each successful applicant must undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils. If the applicant does not take up the post following the medical, they will reimburse the cost as per signed understanding.

Hours of Work 35 hours per week including a significant portion outside normal office hours. Salary covers all hours. Employees must record hours using the Keilo system. LAWPRO has adopted a Blended Working policy.

Annual Leave 30 days per annum in accordance with Circular LG(P) 07/2011.

Travel The post holder must hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles, free from endorsement and disqualification, and provide their own vehicle. Requirements:

• Indemnify Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils on their personal insurance policy.

• Note business class on their personal policy.

• Ensure vehicle is roadworthy.

Travel and subsistence expenses incurred in official duties will be refunded in line with Department Circulars. Any licence changes (revocation, endorsements) must be reported immediately.

Location The officer shall reside in or near the district of duty. The Senior Community Water Officer will work as part of a regional team. Assignment within the region may change. Reporting to place of work is at the officer’s own expense.

Safety, Health & Welfare Compliance with Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils Safety Management System is required. The officer must follow the Safety Statement and related procedures, and use provided equipment. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action.

Training Participation in training programmes relevant to the role is required.

Policies & Procedures The post-holder must abide by all Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils’ policies and procedures.