Sports Development Officer

1.               CHARACTER:

Candidates shall be of good character.

2.               HEALTH:

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3.               EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC:

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

a)      A relevant third level qualification to degree level or equivalent in sports and recreation, health promotion or other relevant disciplines.

b)     A Level 8 qualification in a Sports / Health related third level course.

c)      Relevant experience in health/physical activity/recreational/sports development.

d)     Experience in the areas of education, social or club development work or of working in the community sector in a developmental and supportive capacity either in paid or voluntary role.

e)     An understanding of the community and voluntary sector and the sports and recreation environment and of motivating those sectors with lower participation characteristics to become involved.

Requirement

Candidates must hold a current Class B Driving Licence (free from endorsement).

The use of personal transport for work is required. The successful applicant must be willing, and be in a position, to travel.

Desirables

a)      Ability to consult, communicate and network appropriately and effectively with all sectors of the community.

b)     Ability to monitor and evaluate work and write reports.

c)      Excellent administrative and organisational skills.

d)     Ability to produce and access information efficiently and accurately.

e)     Excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.

f)       Ability to advise, inform, motivate, and support individuals, clubs, and organisations.

g)      Ability to prepare, monitor and manage budgets and to prepare funding applications.

h)     Excellent I.T. skills.

i)       A constructive, positive, and progressive attitude to working as part of the Sports Partnership’s team.

j)       An ability to develop partnerships with the wider community.

k)      A self-motivated approach to work.

l)       An awareness of the role and importance of the coordinated inter-agency approach to the strategic development of sport.

1. POSITION:

A panel will be formed from qualified candidates from which permanent and temporary appointments may be made.

2. SALARY:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the position shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than inclusive salary) payable to or received by such holder by virtue of the position or in respect of services, which are required by or under any enactment to perform.

SALARY SCALE:

€32,301, €34,386, €37,345, €39,289, €40,989, €42,633, €44,853, €46,459, €48,089, €49,589

€51,100 LSI I (after 3 years satisfactory service at maximum) €51,100 LSI II (after 6 years satisfactory service at maximum).

The starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

3. DUTIES:

 The duties of the employment are to give to:

Mayo County Council under the control of the Chief Executive or his nominee and to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority, under the general direction and control of the  Chief Executive or of such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate  services of an administrative, technical, supervisory or management nature as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties, and to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him or her by the Chief Executive from time to time including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body.  The holder of the employment will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level, if qualified to do so.

Sports Development Officer duties include but are not limited to the following:

Planning and Programme Management

a)      Contribute to and assist with the implementation of Mayo Sports Partnerships Strategy.

b)     Support and contribute to the preparation of annual operational plans for the delivery of the Sports Partnership’s strategy.

c)      Partake in reviews of the operational plan reporting on its effectiveness and impact.

d)     Support the roll out of all Mayo Sports Partnership activities that target club development, ethnic diversity & outdoor sport including Sport Ireland programmes.

e)     Contribute to ensuring that all Sports Partnership programmes and courses are operated on a user-friendly professional basis and delivered to the highest standard.

f)       Encourage and foster opportunities for the development of new programmes and initiatives with communities, partner agencies, national governing bodies of sport etc.

g)      Facilitate and support the development of locally based initiatives and sports clubs.

h)     Initiate, facilitate and maintain close contact with voluntary and community-based sporting organisations.

i)       Encourage a lifestyle of regular physical activity as an objective of the Sports Partnership and partner agencies.

Financial Management

Establish a financial monitoring template for the operational budget.

Research / Evaluation

a.      Measure and monitor performance indicators on the basis of the impact which the Sports Partnership’s courses/programmes are having at local level.

b.      Carry out research and needs analysis as appropriate.

Other

Be expected to keep abreast of developments in sport promotion and physical activity and advise on best practice.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

1. COMPETENCIES:

Candidates for the post must demonstrate that they have competency and skills in the following areas. Application forms should include two practical examples which demonstrates these competencies. Interviews will be competency based and marks will be awarded under these skills sets.

Delivering Results

·        Plan and prioritise work and resources effectively.

·        Establish high quality service and customer care standards.

·        Make timely, informed and effective decisions and show good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations.

·        Critically evaluates outcomes and processes used to achieve them.

Performance Through People

·        Deliver a message in a clear and coherent fashion.

·        Keep calm under pressure.

·        Portray a positive customer service ethos at all times.

·        Establish and maintain productive working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

·        Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing at all times.

Personal Effectiveness

·        Self-motivate and maintain a positive constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role.

·        Manage time and workload effectively and operate in an environment with significant complexity and pace.

·        Set challenging standards and achieve high quality outcomes.

Candidates will also be assessed at interview on the basis of how they demonstrate their Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

Specialist Knowledge,

Expertise and Self Development

·        Knowledge and understanding of the role of Sports Development Officer

·        Range & depth of experience relevant to post.

·        Specialist Knowledge, expertise in previous & current working environment.

·        Understanding of local government legislation, local government policy.

·        A clear understanding of Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.

5. RESIDENCE:

Holders of the position shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

6. ANNUAL LEAVE:

Annual leave entitlement is 30 days per year.

7. TRAVEL:

Mayo County Council reserves the right to provide a vehicle to enable you to carry out your duties. The provision of a vehicle will be at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

8.SHORTLISTING:

Normally the number of applications received for a position exceeds that required to fill existing and future vacancies to the position. While candidates may meet the eligibility requirements of the competition, if the numbers applying for the position are such that it would not be practical to interview everyone, Mayo County Council may decide that a number only will be called to interview. A shortlisting process will apply whereby a group of applicants will be selected for interview who, based on an examination of the documents provided by each applicant, appear to be the most suitable for the position.

This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates who are, prima facie, better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.

In the event of a shortlisting exercise being employed, The shortlisting process can take the form of:-

Shortlisting of candidates on the basis of information contained in their application form (It is therefore in the interests of each candidate to provide a detailed and accurate account of his/her qualifications/ experience on the application form).

Other written, oral or practical tests appropriate to the position.

Preliminary interviews to reduce the number of candidates to a more manageable number for the final Interview Board or

Preliminary interviews to determine qualified candidates, after which a selected number of the qualified candidates are called back for final interview.

9. APPOINTMENT:

Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the Local Authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the position and that they are otherwise suitable for employment may within the life of the panel be employed as relevant vacancies arise. The life of the panel will be one year from the date of its establishment.

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 one month and if he/she fails 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 him/her.

10.REFERENCES/DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE:

Each candidate will be required to submit as references the names and addresses of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related. Candidates will be required to submit documentary evidence to the Local Authority in support of their application.

11.SUPERANNUATION:

As an employee of Mayo County Council, you will be assessed in terms of which Pension Scheme is applicable to you. You will become a member and contribute to the relevant scheme as outlined below:

1)     Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration.

2)     Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority under the Local Government (superannuation) (consolidation) scheme, 1998 and who are liable to pay 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 State Pension Contributory payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).

3)     Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority under the Local Government (superannuation) (consolidation) scheme, 1998 and who are liable to pay 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 employees of a local authority under the Local Government (superannuation) (consolidation) scheme, 1998 may be required to contribute to the Dependants Pension Scheme.

In order, to qualify for a pension, they must have served a minimum of two years (24 months) employment in an approved public body.

12. RETIREMENT AGE:

CLASS A PRSI

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012:

The compulsory retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years. Minimum pension age of 66 years, in line with State Pension age.

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004:

There is no mandatory retirement age for ‘New Entrants’ (from 1st April, 2004 and before January 2013) to the Public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004. The minimum age at which a person may retire is 65. As a ‘New Entrant’ to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants will not be required to retire on grounds of age.

Anyone who is not a New Entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (miscellaneous provisions) Act 2004, who has joined before 1st April 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 as per CLS2/2019 but can retire from 60 years of age.

CLASS D PRSI

Minimum retirement age will be 60 years with compulsory retirement age of 70 years.

13.BASE:

Assignment of base shall be at the absolute discretion of Mayo County Council.

14.REQUIREMENT TO DRIVE

Candidates shall be required to possess a full current category B Driving Licence without any endorsements.

15. PROBATION:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a Local Authority is employed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a)              There shall be a period after such employment takes effect during which such person shall hold such position on probation.

(b)             Such period shall be for six months, but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period.

(c)              Such person will cease to hold such position 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.

(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 may be assessment(s) during the probationary period.

16. MEDICALS:

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 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.

17.GARDA VETTING:

Offer of employment may be subject to a Garda vetting process. Failure to pass Garda vetting will result in employment being terminated with immediate effect.

18. CANVASSING WILL DISQUALIFY:

Any attempt by a candidate (or by any persons acting on their behalf) to canvass or other otherwise influence any officer of the Council (or persons nominated by it to interview or examine applicants) in the candidates’ favour either directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise, will automatically disqualify the applicant for consideration for the position.

19. GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION:

Mayo County Council is committed to protecting your personal data and we comply with our obligations under the Data Protection Acts, 1988 – 2018, and the General Data Protection Regulation.

Basis for Processing your Personal Information

The basis for processing your personal data is to process your application for the position you have applied for with Mayo County Council under the Terms of the Employment (Information) Act 1994 and Human Resources Department policies and procedures.

When your application form is received, we create a computer record in your name, which contains much of the personal information you have supplied on our application form. This personal record is used solely in processing your candidature. You are entitled to obtain at any time, a copy of information about you, which is kept on record.

Sharing of Information

Outside of the HR recruitment team, the information provided in your application form will only be shared for progressing the competition for which you have applied for, with a designated shortlisting and/or interview board.

If, following the competition, you are deemed a qualified candidate and offered a position, the information provided in your application form will form part of your Personnel File.

Furthermore, should you be offered a position and subsequently confirm your interest in the position, the information provided on your application form will be used to request service record and employment references.

Storage Period

Your application will be retained for two years from the date of the competition. Applications that are not progressed to interview stage will be destroyed.

NOTES:

Applicants are reminded that any attempt by themselves or by any persons acting on their behalf directly or indirectly by means of written communication or otherwise to canvass or otherwise influence in the applicants favour any employee of the County Council or persons nominated by the Chief Executive to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the applicant for the position they are seeking.