Technician

The Technician Grade II is a key support position within the council and is assigned to a service delivery area or to support a functional area as required. The Technician Grade II will work under the direction and management of the Executive Technician or analogous grade, or other employee designated by the Senior Executive Officer, Senior Engineer or Director of Services as appropriate. The role involves supporting managers and colleagues and working as part of a team in meeting work goals and objectives and delivering quality services to internal and external customers.

The role requires a clear knowledge and understanding of local authority services and its key stakeholders and relationships, local government structures and its democratic role and mandate, current local government issues, future trends and strategic direction of the sector.

Successful applicants may be assigned to any service area/role within the local authority by the Chief Executive at any time.

The Person

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate through their application form and at the interview, that they have sufficient experience and a proven track record in the following:

• Good professional technical knowledge and skills

• Ability to prepare and present technical reports

• Ability to work independently or within multi-disciplinary teams

• Ability to work on his/her own initiative

• Good interpersonal and communication skills and have the ability to engage with a wide range of people

• Good organisational skills

• A background in civil/construction/building services

• Good IT and presentation skills including a working knowledge of CAD, Access database and Microsoft Office

• Proficiency in G.I.S.

• Good understanding of safety management in the workplace including Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations

Louth County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Louth County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post, from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. This panel will exist for 12 months and may only be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Essential Criteria

1. Character

Each candidate must 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.

3. Education, Experience, Training

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

a. Be in a position to have passed the National Council for Educational Awards (H.E.T.A.C) National Certificate final Examination in Civil Engineering or in Geosurveying

or

b. Hold an equivalent qualification

or

c. Have satisfactory service, immediately preceding the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, in a technician office at Grade II level, or in an analogous office under a local authority or health board in the state.

Candidates should note that if they are successful at interview, and are currently without a Class B Drivers Licence, they will be expected to hold a Class B Drivers Licence, with use of their own car, within 12 months of the date of their appointment.

Assessment Procedure

Candidates will have to demonstrate from their application form to the satisfaction of a short-listing board that they possess sufficient skills and experience in the three competencies listed immediately below in order to be called for interview. Candidates called for interview will be assessed on the following competencies.

Understanding Purpose & Change

Delivering Results

Performance through People

Personal Effectiveness

Understanding Purpose & Change

• Understands the Council’s purpose, goals and priorities

• Understands the Role of the Elected Council and the Representational Role of the Elected Members

• Understands and adheres to the Code of Conduct for all employees and complies with all Council rules, regulations and procedures

• Supports diversity

• Understands and supports Workplace Partnership

• Represents the Council positively when dealing with the public or other agencies

• Creates a positive image of the Council both within the team and through interaction with the public and other stakeholders

• Co-operates fully in implementing safe systems of work in accordance with the Corporate Safety Statement and relevant Ancillary Safety Statement for their area of work

Delivering Results

• Deliver results on time and to a high standard

• Take responsibility for own work and the work of the team

• Plan and prioritise the work schedule, ensuring the efficient use of all the resources available and delivering on objectives even with multiple or conflicting demands

• Evaluates the current work practices to identify changes that could be made to help them run more efficiently

• Follows procedures and ensures they are implemented in own area, understand the rationale behind them

• Maintains accurate records and monitors work, ensuring any errors are identified and rectified

Performance through People

• Motivation and positivity as part of a team

• Understands effective communications at all levels within the organisation

• Actively listen to others

• Demonstrates high level of verbal and written communication skills

Personal Effectiveness

• Enthusiasm and positivity about the role

• Resilience and Personal Well-Being

• Personal Motivation and Initiative

• Personal vision for the future of planning in County Louth

• Commitment to integrity & good public service values

• Political Awareness

• Understanding the structures and environment within which the local authority sector operates and the role of a Technician Grade II in this context

Salary

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale for the position of Technician Grade II is: €35,216 to €52,142 (LSI 2) gross per annum. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

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

Location of Post

Louth County Council reserves the right to assign the post holder to any council premises, now or in the future subject to reasonable notice. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

Superannuation

A. Officers joining the Public Service after the 1st January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. A Class rate of PRSI contribution will apply. A rate of 3% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e., pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme.

OR

B. Officers who became pensionable officers of the Public Service prior to 1st January 2013 and who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of the net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). You will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% of your pensionable remuneration to the Spouses & Children’s Pension Scheme.

OR

C. Officers who become pensionable officers of a Public Service prior to 5th April 1995 and who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. If an option to join a dependent scheme was made you will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% to a Dependents Pension Scheme.

Retirement

Retirement is dependent on the superannuation scheme you become a member of, and details will be made available to you upon appointment.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it may be necessary for the successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo at his/her 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 the candidate.

Probation

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

• There will be a probationary period of 9 months from date of employment

• The Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend this period

• You shall cease to hold office at the end of the period of probation unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that your service is satisfactory

Residence

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

References

Applicants are required to advise the names of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related (at least one of the referees should be an existing or former employer). In advance of any offer of employment, Louth County Council reserves the right to seek both written and verbal references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.

Hours of Work

The working hours at present provide for a five-day, thirty-five hour working week. A flexible working hours system is in operation and may be availed of subject to the terms and conditions of the Flexitime Policy.

Sick Leave

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement for the position will be 27 days per annum. Louth County Council’s leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1977 (as amended).

Start Date

The successful candidate will commence on direction from Directors of Service and/or Chief Executive. Should they fail to take up the appointment on direction, the council at its discretion may not appoint them.