Settlement Officer

The Competition

The Position

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

Purpose, Duties and Responsibilities

The duties of the post of the Settlement Officer include, but are not limited to:

Holding interviews and assessing clients seeking a homeless service by appointment or unscheduled presentations;

Linking with homeless people/families in a variety of settings;

Providing assessment, advice and support to people who are homeless;

Sourcing suitable accommodation with/for clients by working with relevant accommodation providers;

Working with service users placed in emergency to arrange long-term accommodation and reduce periods spent in emergency and if possible avoiding placement in emergency accommodation;

Assisting persons in the settling-in process;

Receiving and acting on referrals submitted via the interdisciplinary referral protocol;

Carrying out initial shelter assessments and global assessments as appropriate;

Allocating emergency accommodation as appropriate making recommendations for Social/Housing, voluntary & other housing options;

Investigating cases thoroughly – maintaining links with other authorities, Garda, HSE, NGOs, etc.;

Increasing access to health and social services for those experiencing homelessness;

Carrying out regular inspections of emergency accommodation;

Actively participating in Housing Action Team (H.A.T.), Housing First, Disability Housing Action Team, and any other teams/committees as required;

Representing the Council at Child Protection Case Conferences, Family Support Meetings, Family conferencing & mediation sessions, Case reviews, and Courts when requested;

Liaising with Rehabilitation institutions/prisons in the Region;

Creating and maintaining files and records of service users, documenting meetings and calls with clients;

Producing reports and presentations based on work programme;

Recording all entry/exit to emergency accommodation, and payments due to suppliers;

Preparing returns and claims for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as required;

Collating data and statistics regarding the homeless service as required from time to time;

Other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

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.

Education and Experience

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

(a) Have a good education. A relevant third-level qualification is desirable;

(b) Have two years’ experience in a similar position;

(c) Have good interpersonal skills;

(d) Have good report writing and administrative skills;

(e) Have strong knowledge and working experience of health and social services;

(f) Have an understanding of the needs of homeless people;

(g) Have a flexible attitude in dealing with the day-to-day issues that arise in meeting the many and various needs of this client group.

Desirable Experience and Knowledge

It would be desirable that each candidate would:

Have a good working knowledge of the background to and policies which govern the provision of homeless services in Ireland;

Have a good understanding of the issues and needs regarding homelessness;

Have strong interpersonal, communication, organisational and negotiating skills and be capable of representing the Council in a professional and credible manner;

Be self-motivated with ability to work on own initiative;

Have an ability to work in direct contact with a diverse range of external agencies and organisations;

Possess a full clean driving licence and have the use of his/her own car.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Salary

Salary scale: €57,322 - €70,030 per annum (EL 07/25), analogous to the Senior Staff Officer grade. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with the appropriate Department 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.

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.

Safety and Welfare

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.