Senior Executive Planner

The Position

Meath County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which fixed-term contract vacancies for the position of Senior Executive Planner shall be drawn.

The Role

Meath County Council wishes to recruit a Senior Executive Planner to support the expansion and development of the Council’s Planning Department. In the context of significant population growth, the Council is responding to the challenges of providing housing for all, supporting economic development, ensuring that the county has adequate infrastructure and public services and underpinning the development of sustainable and resilient communities across the county.

The Council’s Planning Department plays an integral part in the response to these challenges and also contributes to a multi-disciplinary approach to Climate Action, Active Travel and Sustainable Transport in the county.

The Senior Executive Planner is responsible for managing elements of the Planning Department and providing a multiplicity of services to the Council. This post is a senior position within the Planning Department reporting to the Senior Planner and/or other employee nominated by the Chief Executive.

The role of Senior Executive Planner is an excellent opportunity to engage with the active delivery of strategic policy across the various functions of the Planning Department and across other Departments of the Council.

The Senior Executive Planner will be required to work closely with the Senior Management Team and Elected Members to deliver on future strategic corporate projects, in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Plan.

The duties of the post of the Senior Executive Planner include, but are not limited to:

• To prepare and implement development plan documents and prepare reports on these matters for the appropriate Committees of the Council;

• To consider new and emerging national planning policy and development plans being prepared by adjoining local authorities, assess implications for the Council and respond to these proposals as required;

• Interacting with Planning Authorities in matters related to preparation of Development Plans, Variations, etc.;

• Liaising and working with constituent planning authorities and other public authorities on all aspects of implementation;

• Monitoring and reporting on implementation progress;

• Monitoring and assisting with development plan preparation/reviews;

• Establishing agreed milestones and timescales, setting achievable targets and indicators;

• To develop and maintain relationships with external agencies in accordance with policy and participate in the delivery of work programmes;

• Interaction with Regional Assemblies on all regional planning matters;

• Assist individuals, groups, etc. on regional planning matters as requested;

• Report regularly and as required on regional planning issues;

• To assess planning applications and pre-application proposals against the Council’s policies and provide recommendations and policy responses to these as required;

• Assist in the development and delivery of capital projects, including regeneration projects, and assist in and advise on associated Part 8 processes;

• Any other associated duties as may be assigned from time to time.

• To work effectively with colleagues to deliver services, often as part of cross-sectoral teams or multi-disciplinary teams;

• To ensure compliance with corporate policies (Health and Safety, HR, Data Protection, Child Safeguarding etc.);

• To ensure good governance and acting in the public interest at all times

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.

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

(a) Candidates shall hold a qualification in Planning (at least level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications);

(b) have at least seven years’ satisfactory relevant experience of planning work;

(c) possess a high standard of technical training and expertise;

(d) possess a high standard of administrative and management experience;

(e) satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation or the ability to acquire same.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, meet the below essential criteria.

• Have significant management experience in a town planning context;

• Have experience of analysing and considering new and emerging national and/or regulatory policies and guidelines in a town planning context with a view to assessing the implications of such developments and responding to same;

• Have experience of preparation or assessment of planning applications and preapplication proposals in the context of applicable planning policies and regulations;

• Have experience of managing and leading multi-disciplinary and cross functional teams and have the ability to motivate, empower, encourage and achieve maximum efficiency and value for money from the personnel and processes under his/ her control;

• Have experience of maintaining sound employee relations and conflict resolution;

• Have a track record of delivering results;

• Have an understanding of Local Authority services and structures in Ireland, particularly as they relate to the planning function, or have the ability to quickly acquire same;

• Be capable of working in close consultation with key stakeholders and in seeking cooperation and consensus with a whole range of bodies and representative groups;

• Be experienced in meeting regularly with stakeholders, providing updates, presentations and reports, taking customer feedback and ensuring any learning from same is used to enhance the operations of the organisation;

• Be experienced in contributing to the operational and strategic planning processes and in the implementation of the agreed aims of same;

• Have excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills

• Have good knowledge and awareness of statutory obligations of Health and Safety Legislation the implications for the organization and the employee, and their application in the workplace;

• Have excellent report writing and strong ICT skills;

• Have a focus on the customer and on service improvement including taking ownership and resolving issues arising.

• The holder of the post will be required to have a good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and employee, and their application in the workplace.

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

• Be suitable on the grounds of character;

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

Salary Salary scale: €79,090 – €98,708 per annum (EL 07/25). Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with the appropriate Departmental Circulars.

Hours of Work The normal working hours will be 35 hours per week. Duties may require the successful applicant to work outside of normal working hours i.e. attendance at evening/weekend, training duties etc. as part of normal working hours without additional remuneration. All hours worked will be subject to the provision of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 as amended.

You may be required to complete a time-sheet in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001.

Start Date Meath County Council shall require a person to whom an offer of employment is made to take up an appointment within a reasonable period of time, usually two months from date of offer, to meet the organisational requirements of the Council. Meath County Council reserves the right to withdraw its offer in the event that an appointment is not taken up within such a period.

Leave 30 days per annum

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

Probation The following provisions will apply: (a) there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation, (b) such period shall be 9 months but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period, (c) such persons shall cease to hold the position at end of the period of probation unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

Travel It is desirable that 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.

Meath 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 person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to performing the role/function as approved by the Chief Executive.

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

The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Meath County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. He/she shall familiarise him/herself with 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.

Garda Vetting Successful candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting in advance of appointment to the position.

Outside Employment The officer may not engage in private practice, or be connected with any outside business, which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Superannuation Contribution Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.