Senior Executive Technician

THE ROLE:

Reporting to a designated senior officer, Senior Executive Technicians work as part of a team developing the implementation of civil engineering and multidisciplinary programmes in the areas of roads and associated structures, housing, and other ancillary services.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

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.

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo at their own expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.

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.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC:

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

• have satisfactory experience, in a technician post at Grade I or higher level or in an analogous post under a local authority or health board in the State,

• have at least seven years satisfactory relevant experience in a technician post at Grade II or higher level or an analogous post,

• have a thorough knowledge of all the technical aspects of local authority work and also a deeper knowledge of at least one relevant section of the work and possess such training or experience as would enable them to take charge of such a section of the work,

• have adequate experience in dealing with other departments within their own organisations and with other bodies,

• have adequate experience in the direction, supervision and control of staff, and

• possess technical training and experience of a high standard and adequate administrative ability.

Candidates must hold a clean, current, Class B Driving Licence and will be required to have access to his/her own car.

The ideal candidate will:

• possess good professional knowledge and skills;

• be able to work independently or within multi-disciplined teams;

• be capable of working on his/her own initiative;

• possess good interpersonal and communication skills and have the ability to engage with a wide range of people;

• possess good organisation skills;

• possess good IT and presentation skills including a working knowledge of AutoCAD. Experience in the use of G.I.S. software will be considered an advantage;

• have a good understanding of safety management in the workplace including Health & Safety Legislation and Regulations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A Senior Executive Technician is responsible for the delivery of particular services to the public. The following is a non-exhaustive list of duties which may be assigned to a Senior Executive Technician:

• providing technical services relevant to the area of responsibility to which he/she has been assigned e.g. site inspection, site surveying, creation of drawings and graphics, report writing;

• management and supervision of staff assigned to him/her;

• making decisions in relation to service delivery on a daily basis;

• representing Galway County Council at a variety of meetings;

• budget preparation and management of same;

• policy formulation;

• attend site and carry out inspections as required;

• supervise contractors when required to ensure that all works are carried out as per specification and in compliance with requirements;

• carry out all responsibilities in relation to health and safety including risk assessments;

• operating the appropriate technology as required to carry out the work to which he/she has been assigned, e.g. CAD, Graphics, PowerPoint; Sugar CRM; SCOOT;

• working as part of a team;

• liaising with other Departments, members of the public and external agencies in relation to operational aspects of assigned work;

• functioning as a Team Leader, this includes: prioritising work as determined by the Head of Department/Service, functioning as a facilitator and co-ordinator between team members and other departments and external agencies and being responsible for the allocation of work and ensuring task completion;

• preparing estimates;

• preparation of public consultation display material and assistance at public consultation;

• managing workflows and producing regular progress reports on all aspects of area of responsibility;

• contributing to individual staff development, personal development and team development initiatives, including PMDS;

• being accountable for efficient and effective operation of his/her area of responsibility;

• undertaking any course of training organised by the Council which he/she is designated to attend;

• carry out any such other duties as may be assigned from time to time. The holder of the post will be required to have a good knowledge and awareness of Health & Safety Legislation Regulations, their implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace. He/she will also be required to have an understanding of the role and duties of managers in safety management in the workplace.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

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

• excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

• commitment to the public interest;

• experience in one of the service areas set out above;

• experience of budget preparation and management;

• people management skills;

• project management skills;

• team membership skills;

• satisfactory IT skills including knowledge and understanding relevant technical ICT packages;

• understanding of core engineering principles.

The ideal candidate for this position should possess the following competencies. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence of such competencies within their application form and at interview. Any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates on their application form. Candidates must achieve a minimum 50% of the total marks available in each of the competencies to qualify for inclusion on a panel.

DETAILS AND PARTICULARS

PROBATION:

Where a person is appointed to Galway County Council, the following provisions shall apply –

a) there shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation;

b) such period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may, at his discretion, extend such period;

c) such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory;

d) the period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks’ notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts;

e) there will be assessments during the probationary period.

REMUNERATION:

Entry to the scale shall be determined having regard to Departmental Circulars. Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

€55,622 - €66,993 per year

WORKING HOURS:

35 hours per week

ANNUAL LEAVE:

30 days per annum

RESIDENCE:

The person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to the Local Authority, as approved by the Chief Executive.

GARDA VETTING:

Garda vetting may be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for appointment.

OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT:

The position is whole-time, and 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:

If you join the public service for the first time, on or after the 1st January 2013, the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will apply to you. Superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on career-average pay; pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory. The Single Pension Scheme is a Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution and is in the public service prior to 1st January 2013, will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). Contributions will also be applicable to the Spouse and Children’s pension scheme.

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. A person may also be required, if applicable, in respect of the Local Government (Spouse and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

Employees are admitted to the Local Government Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act 1998 and the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, with effect from date of appointment. This Scheme is a Defined Benefit Scheme and provides for payment of a pension, retirement lump sum and death gratuity.

Your retirement benefits are only payable at retirement, if you have completed the vesting period of two years.