Senior Sports Development Officer

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST

CHARACTER:

Candidates shall be of good character and references shall be sought.

HEALTH:

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render an efficient service.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE ETC.:

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

(a) Hold a minimum of a NFQ Level 8 qualification in a relevant discipline, e.g. Sports Development, Leisure Management, Health, Fitness & Leisure Studies, and

(b) Have 3 years relevant experience in Sports Development, Health, or Sports Education and Science, and

(c) Have experience working with people with disabilities and in marginalised groups, and

(d) Have experience of project management, and piloting, developing and delivering sustainable physical activity-based initiatives, and

(e) Have experience of the community and voluntary sector, the sports environment and of motivating those sectors with lower participation to become involved, and

(f) Experience of sports-based programme monitoring, evaluation and learning, and

(g) Hold a current clean full driving licence (minimum Class B) and have access to a vehicle at all times for use during the course of their duties.

Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong IT, administrative and organisational abilities

• Effective consultation, communication, and networking with all community sectors

• Skilled in monitoring, evaluating work, and report writing

• Efficient and accurate information management

• Excellent communication, presentation and facilitation skills

• Ability to advise, inform, motivate and support individuals and organisations

• Leadership in organising, motivating staff, and achieving programme outcomes

• Good time management

• Monitors performance, addresses issues and identifies training needs

• Awareness of the importance and value of participation in sport / active recreation

Other Essential Requirements:

• A constructive, positive and progressive attitude to working as part of the Sports Active Wexford Team, and an ability to develop partnerships in the wider community

• Be motivated and committed to sports development and increasing opportunities for participation, among hard-to-reach groups in local communities

• A self-motivated approach to work

• Commitment to work unsociable hours

• Willingness and ability to travel

• A commitment to on-going training and development

Desirable Requirements:

It is desirable that each candidate shall have:

• Qualifications in Tutoring or Active Leadership

• Qualifications or experience in coaching or education

• Experience in the areas of education, social or community development, or working in the community sector in a developmental and supportive capacity, in either a paid or voluntary capacity

• Experience in sports administration and/or organising training events

• Experience of working in a project team

• Working experience of National Governing Bodies of Sport

• Understanding of research and evaluation methods

• Understanding of the public sector and local government environment

• Experience with budgeting and funding applications

• An awareness of the role and importance of both co-ordinated and inter-agency responses to local sporting needs

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.

GARDA VETTING:

The successful candidate will be required to co-operate with a Garda vetting procedure, and must have Garda clearance.

PERSON PROFILE

Duties of the Post

The duties of the post shall be to give to the local authority under the direction and supervision of its appropriate employee, such services of an executive, supervisory and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers and duties and shall include the duty of deputising for other employees of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any other local authority.

Job Purpose

The primary role of the Senior Sports Development Officer will be to plan, deliver and evaluate physical activity programmes and training events as per Sports Active Wexford’s strategic plan. The SDO will foster and encourage a culture of Active Participation, supporting and developing opportunities and access for all to sport and physical activity in County Wexford.

The SDO will have two identified areas of responsibility. They will work in a coordinating capacity with all relevant stakeholders to increase and sustain participation opportunities for all people, with specific responsibilities for disabilities and marginalised groups, and develop physical activity opportunities to sustain participation for youths between the ages of 10–25 years.

Principal Responsibilities

Specific SDO tasks will be set locally based on overall objectives and area priorities. Indicative tasks include:

• Support the creation, execution, and assessment of Sports Active Wexford’s Strategic and Annual Operational Plans.

• Ensure programme portfolios align with strategic goals.

• Keep office policies updated and compliant with Good Governance standards.

• Integrate procedures into daily operations under Wexford County Council’s oversight.

• Collect and review data for accurate, timely reporting on key performance indicators.

• Provide support to staff across all programmes and initiatives.

• Oversee programme budgets, ensuring compliance with timelines and reporting requirements.

• Stay informed about IT, technologies, and social media developments affecting operations.

• Such other duties as are assigned from time to time.

Diversity & Inclusion

Sport Ireland and Local Sport Partnerships are committed to building a diverse sport sector and therefore strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups. Local Sports Partnerships are committed to equality and inclusion and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background. Local Sports Partnerships strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Tenure:

The post is temporary, whole-time and pensionable.

Persons who become pensionable employees 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 dependent or qualified children).

All persons who become pensionable employees of a Local Authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their 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 dependent or qualified children) in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from 01/01/2013, superannuation contributions are 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration.

Probation:

Where a person who is not already a permanent official of Wexford County Council is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

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

(b) Such period shall be 6 months, but the Chief Executive may, at his discretion, extend such period;

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

Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders 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 their employment or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. An allowance may also be payable in respect of travel expenses and subsistence.

SALARY: €51,722 - €61,865 (2nd LSI)

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Appointees who are not existing public servants will enter at the minimum point of the scale.

Health:

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates, before being appointed, to undergo at their expense, a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. Defects reported as a result of this examination must be remedied before appointment. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

Contract:

The post is a temporary contract for a period of 3 years.

Reporting:

The Senior Sports Development Officer will report to the Head of Sports Active Wexford, and/or the designated Programme Manager.

Hours:

The normal working hours are 35 hours per week. The role will involve flexible working hours and will include evening and weekend work.

Retirement / Superannuation:

Single Public Service Pension Scheme:

Effective from 1st January 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks.

All new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after 1 January 2013 are, in general, members of the Single Scheme.

Pension Age: Minimum pension age of 66 years (rising to 67 and 68 in line with State Pension age changes). Scheme Members must retire at the age of 70 years.

New entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1st April, 2004.

Retirement Age will be determined by the terms of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004. The Act introduces new retirement provisions for new entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1st April, 2004. For new entrants there is no compulsory retirement age and 65 is the earliest age at which retirement benefits can be paid.

In all other cases, 60 years is the minimum retirement age, with 65 years being the maximum retirement age.

Residence:

The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which his or her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof.