Senior Housing Welfare Officer

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.

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

3. EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE ETC:

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of applications:

i.

(a) Hold a third level qualification recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications in Social Studies or Social Care or Social Science or a related discipline;

AND

(b) Have a minimum of 2 years’ post qualification experience working in the area of homeless and/or housing service provision

AND

ii. Shall have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff.

iii. Hold a full unendorsed Category B driving licence that permits permanent driving in Ireland.

iv. Hold a valid work permit if required*

*All non-EU/EEA citizens must hold a valid work permit prior to and for the duration of their contract. The work permit must allow you to work full time for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. It is the responsibility of individual employees to ensure that you have a valid work permit. If at any stage during your contract you cease to hold a valid work permit you must immediately advise Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and your employment will cease with immediate effect.

Non-Irish qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. Overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have relevant administrative and work experience at a sufficiently high level;

• Have a career record that demonstrates an ability to work in a team to ensure delivery of a complex work programme;

• Ensure strong governance and ethical standards are set and maintained;

• Have the ability to motivate, empower and encourage staff under their control to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) where applicable;

• Have proven management analysis, report writing and presentation skills;

• Have effective financial and resource management skills;

• Have knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems;

• Be capable of representing the Council in a professional and credible manner with all stakeholders;

• Have an ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines in the delivery of key operational objectives.

JOB SPECIFICATION

1. TENURE

The office is wholetime, permanent and pensionable.

2. SALARY:

€55,761 – €58,387 – €61,036 – €63,707 – €66,364 – €69,025 – €71,689 (1st LSI) €73,081 (2nd LSI)

(1st February 2026 Rate)

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.

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

3. SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTIONS

Persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their 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).

Persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

All persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority will be required, in respect of the Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension Scheme, to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

RETIREMENT

New Entrants recruited to the Public Service on or after 1 January 2013

Pensionable public servants (new joiners) recruited to the Public Service for the first time on or after 1 January 2013 (the commencement date of the Single Scheme) will be members of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

Pension age

Minimum pension age is linked to the State Pension age which is currently 66 but may be subject to change.

Compulsory retirement age

Scheme members must retire at the age of 70.

In all other cases, staff recruited on or after 1 January 2013 who were employed in the Public Service on 31 December 2012 or within a period prior to 31 December 2012 not exceeding 26 weeks will retain their existing pension scheme terms and conditions.

In certain circumstances, e.g. where the public servant was on secondment or approved leave or remains on the same contract of employment, the 26-week rule does not apply.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER), as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09, that retirees under that Scheme are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

4. DUTIES

The duties of this position will focus on the facilitation, implementation and promotion of the policies and objectives of the Council’s Housing Department. This will involve liaising with all Sections within the Department on issues relating to the welfare of tenants and the management of their tenancies.

The duties include (but are not limited to):

• Assist in the development and implementation of housing policy documents as required;

• Preparing and disseminating relevant literature and information;

• Represent the Housing Department and DLR County Council at meetings and on relevant interagency forums;

• Provision of advice and assistance to individuals with difficulties such as financial, family, domestic violence, addiction and personal problems;

• Liaise with other agencies, voluntary and statutory as appropriate;

• Supervise and manage staff/teams effectively to achieve a common goal, ensuring strong governance and ethical standards are adhered to and maintained;

• Where necessary, offer an ongoing casework service to individuals or families, including attending case conferences;

• Designated responsibility for Child Protection/Safeguarding Council in accordance with the Children First National Guidelines 2011;

• Designated Sex Offenders Liaison Officer (SOLO);

• Manage referrals from other sections in relation to tenants;

• Advise and report in relation to transfer of tenants;

• Engage with housing applicants and tenants where required;

• Support various sections of the Council to co-ordinate the delivery of services such as Maintenance, Tenancy Management, Medical, Rents and Community Development;

• Co-ordinate the Tenancy Sustainment Service;

• Keep necessary records and compile relevant statistics;

• Submit reports to the appropriate officer on general matters as necessary, including reports on applications relating to tenancies, home and family assistance, and grants (including grants for disabled persons);

• Undergo training as required;

• Attend Court proceedings as a witness on behalf of DLR Local Authority;

• Carry out other duties or responsibilities, including general welfare activities, as assigned by the Council from time to time.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved. The post holder may be required to perform other duties appropriate to the post and contribute to the development of the post while in office.

5. HOURS OF WORK

The duties of the office will involve activities outside normal working hours of 35 hours per week, including evening and weekend attendance where necessary. Additional remuneration will not be payable for evening or weekend work. Time in lieu will be given for out-of-hours work on a time-for-time basis.

6. ANNUAL LEAVE

Annual leave entitlement for the position of Senior Welfare Officer is 30 days per annum in accordance with Department of Environment, Community and Local Government Circular LG(P) 07/2011.

7. PROBATION

When a person is not already a permanent officer of a Local Authority in Ireland and is appointed to a permanent office, the following provisions shall apply:

a) There shall be a period after such appointment during which such person shall hold office on probation;

b) Such period shall be one year;

c) Such person shall cease to hold such office at the end of the probation period unless the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory.

8. LOCATION & RESIDENCE

Holders of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future, subject to reasonable notice.

9. CITIZENSHIP

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a. A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA); 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, UK or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

e. A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015, or a 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 the parent of a dependent Irish citizen child and has been granted residence permission (usually Stamp 4).