Senior Parks and Landscapes Officer

The Role:

This position is a senior position within the Council reporting to the City Parks Superintendent and any other employee nominated by the Chief Executive.

The Senior Parks & Landscape Officer will be responsible for the efficient management of their prescribed work area within the related function. As a senior manager, they will play a key role in advancing the Local Authority’s strategic vision and objectives, working collaboratively with elected Councillors to deliver the full range of services and implement local policy decisions.

They will have a strong track record of delivery in parks/landscape management and landscape design and will have proven expertise in the operation of the various IT systems available for the effective day to day management of budgets, procurement, design, and asset and tree management.

Organisational innovation and continuous improvement are significant priorities for Dublin City Council as local government reform is embedded and the development and use of smart technologies are used to enhance service delivery. Managers are expected to lead service delivery, drive innovation, and manage change effectively within an environment of constrained human and financial resources. Ensuring efficient, high-quality services and demonstrable value for money remains central to the role.

The Senior Parks & Landscape Officer duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Lead the strategic planning and programme level management of a range of operations to maintain the highest standards for parks and landscape maintenance including recreational facilities, playgrounds, tearooms and other visitor amenities.

• Lead the strategic planning, design oversight, and programme-level management of a portfolio of capital projects from initial concept through to construction encompassing parks, public realm improvements, play spaces, recreational facilities, and wider green infrastructure initiatives

• Establish milestones and monitor progress against agreed targets and performance indicators to ensure effective delivery across each programme lifecycle.

• Planning, procurement and management of works and operations in accordance with Regulations.

• Lead and contribute to the strategic planning, development, and governance of Parks, Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure, shaping long-term priorities and ensuring alignment with organisational and regional objectives.

• Provide professional landscape expertise to support the preparation and implementation of statutory planning documents including the City Development Plan, Urban Area Plans, environmental assessment processes, and Green Infrastructure strategies and prepare reports, briefings, and formal responses for Council meetings and relevant Committees.

• To consider new and emerging national policy and assess implications for the Council and respond to these proposals as required.

• Provide leadership and oversight of staff and resources across design, operations, and project delivery functions, ensuring effective performance management, optimal allocation of resources, and robust financial oversight of budgets.

• Deputising for the City Parks Superintendent, as required.

• To carry out other associated duties as may be assigned from time to time.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for Senior Parks & Landscape Officer are as set out hereunder:

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health to render an efficient service.

Education

Candidates shall hold a qualification in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Arboriculture, Natural or Environmental Science (level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications).

Experience, Etc.

a) have not less than eight years post graduate satisfactory experience of planning, design, development and management of one or more of the following: Parks, Heritage Landscapes and Gardens, Open Spaces, Green Infrastructure, Public Realm and Urban Design, Urban Forests, Sports Grounds, Recreation and Play facilities, Burial Grounds, Community Gardens and Allotments;

b) have the ability to lead and motivate multi-disciplinary teams to achieve corporate objectives;

c) have well-developed interpersonal skills, demonstrating an ability to influence, communicate and network effectively;

d) have proven ability to manage financial resources within a strict budgetary control framework;

e) have proven ability to manage the delivery of projects on time and within budget, including dealing with procurement, contractors, professional consultants;

f) demonstrate a capacity for innovation and problem solving;

g) demonstrate the ability to develop policies, strategies, best practice guidance and the preparation of technical reports, as required; and

h) have a good working knowledge of the legal and regulatory standards that apply to local authorities, including Health and Safety.

The ideal candidate shall have the following Skills and Experience:

• Have significant management experience in a professional capacity as a Landscape Architect, Horticulturist or in a landscape management context.

• Have experience of preparation or assessment of relevant policies and of analysing and considering new and emerging national and/or regulatory policies and guidelines in a Parks and Green infrastructure context with a view to assessing the implications of such developments and responding to same.

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

• Have an understanding of Local Authority services and structures in Ireland and Dublin City Council, particularly as they relate to the Green Infrastructure 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 including 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, networking and influencing skills.

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

• Have experience of managing finance and budgets and ensuring value for money and a track record of delivering results.

• Have experience of providing information on the pattern of demand and activity and the skills to schedule/programme the carrying out of work.

• Have good general ICT skills, particularly in relation to CRM, Procurement, and Arboricultural management.

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

Candidates must also:

• 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;

Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they:

• Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed

• Are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

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

The Office

The office is whole time, permanent and pensionable.

The holder of the office shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an officer of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of their duties as an officer of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with discharge of their duties as a local authority officer.

Probation

Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(i) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation;

(ii) Such period shall be a maximum of 12 months;

(iii) Such persons shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory

Salary

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the post 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 the post or in respect of any services, which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Salary Scale effective from 1st February 2026:

The salary scale for the position of Senior Parks & Landscape Officer is:

€92,770; €95,045; €97,310; €99,586; €101,855; €104,136; Maximum, €107,565; LSI 1; €110,997 LSI 2

Salary for the post shall be in accordance with existing practice as set out in relevant circulars.

Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. Entry point to 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. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

Residence

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

Start Date

The Local Authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than three months 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.

Duties

In accordance with Section 159(3) & (4) of Local Government Act 2001 an employee of the local authority shall perform the duties of the office and give the local authority under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other officer as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative or management nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties and to exercise such powers, duties and functions as may be delegated to them by the Chief Executive from time to time including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by the local authority and such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any local authority. The holder of the office will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.

Hours of Attendance

Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 35 hours gross per week. The successful candidate will be required to work such additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of their duties subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations. The rate of remuneration payable covers any extra attendance liability that may arise from time to time.

Annual Leave

The annual leave allowance for the position of Senior Parks & Landscape Officer is 30 days. This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in the public service, is based on a five-day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

Sick Leave

Pay during properly certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent disability for service, will apply on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the sick leave circulars.

Superannuation Contributions

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.

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).

All persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority are required, in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme, 1986, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration or net pensionable remuneration, whichever is relevant and in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority for the first time on or after 1 January 2013 are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution and are required in respect of superannuation to contribute at the rate of 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) plus 3% of pensionable pay.