TII Project Liaison Engineer

BACKGROUND TO THE POSITION

The N4 route between Mullingar and Longford (Roosky) forms part of the Dublin to Sligo national primary route. The existing road is a single carriageway passing through several settlements, including Ballinalack, Rathowen, Edgeworthstown, Longford and Newtownforbes. It is a key strategic route which provides connectivity from Dublin to the Northwest of the country.

The proposed N4 Mullingar to Longford (Roosky) Scheme proposes to connect the N4 Mullingar Bypass (Dual Carriageway) to the N4 Dromod Roosky Type 2 Dual Carriageway. The Scheme consists of approximately 51 km of mainline carriageway and will include grade-separated junctions/roundabouts with existing national roads, river/rail crossings, and junctions and link roads, as required, to allow the continued flow of traffic on the existing road network. The proposed scheme will improve journey times and safety will be improved for all road users.

DUTIES OF THE POSITION

The person appointed as Project Liaison Engineer shall be responsible for the co-ordination of the planning of this National Road Project and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him/her. This will include liaising with landowners, the TII Regional Design Offices, TII personnel, Longford County Council personnel, consultants and all others directly or indirectly involved in the project.

The duties of the post of Project Liaison Engineer shall include, but are not limited to:

• Provide information to landowners affected by the scheme in relation to, inter alia, proposed land take, proposed accommodation works and the statutory processes, e.g. by providing maps and information published by the TII.
• Agree access to privately owned lands for Contractors carrying out advance works and surveys (both intrusive and non-intrusive) as part of the scheme. Adequate written notice (14 days in accordance with the IFA/DOE/NRA Agreement) shall be given to affected landowners.
• In instances where access to lands cannot be obtained by agreement, make the necessary provisions to exercise the Local Authority's legal entitlement to access lands pursuant to Section 78 of the Roads Act, 1993.
• Confirm, in writing where necessary, to affected landowners that Contractors acting on behalf of the Local Authority to carry out the above works have the necessary insurance in place to indemnify the landowners in the event of personal injury or material damage.
• In the case of intrusive surveys (e.g. ground investigation, archaeological test trenching, etc.), determine the extent and quantum of compensation due to each affected landowner and recommend payments to be made by the Local Authority.
• Agree, as soon as possible, the nature and extent of accommodation works required for each affected landowner for inclusion in the scheme design and/or EIS.
• Advise the Property Valuation Consultant of instances where certain landowners are not deemed to be entitled to the goodwill payment and outline the reasons why this entitlement should not be paid.
• Assess the accuracy of land ownership records held by the Local Authority and confirm these records with individual landowners. Attention should be given to determining private rights-of-way and other burdens which may be affected by the scheme and may require inclusion in the CPO/MO Schedule.
• Make all reasonable enquiries to establish the identity of landowners where no reliable records exist (e.g. unregistered land).
• Act as the primary point of contact/intermediary in dealings between the main roadworks contractor and affected landowners in areas such as access, disruption to services and disturbance/nuisance during construction.
• Ensure that any EIS Mitigation Measures relating to Land & Property are implemented.
• Ensure that landowners have reasonable access to their lands at all times during the construction of the scheme.
• Ensure, in conjunction with the Project Manager, that the necessary approvals are in place to serve the statutory notices (Notice to Treat, Notice of Entry) within the specified time limits.
• Maintain accurate records of the Date of Entry by the Local Authority onto scheduled lands and advise the Local Authority of the total period, if any, for which interest is payable (Date of Land Agreement – Date of Entry = total number of days for which interest is payable).
• Ensure that pre-construction surveys on properties and monitoring of wells during construction are carried out to the satisfaction of both the Local Authority and the affected landowner.
• Assist the Property Valuation Consultant and the Local Authority legal team in cases where the matter of compensation for land acquisition has been referred to arbitration.
• Attend Steering Meetings and manage the implementation of the decisions made at the meetings.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that he/she has:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prepare and present technical reports.
• An ability to interpret and critically analyse scientific data.
• Good organisation skills and discipline.
• Strong ICT skills.

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.

QUALIFICATIONSCharacter

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.

Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

• A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
• A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
• A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
• 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
• 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
• 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.

Education, Training, Experience, etc.

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

• Hold at least an ordinary bachelor's degree (Level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) in Engineering;

OR

• Hold an ordinary bachelor's degree (Level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) and a postgraduate master's degree (Level 9 in the NFQ) in Engineering;

OR

• Hold a master's degree (Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in Engineering attained after completing an integrated master's level programme of at least 4 years' duration and which is accredited at CEng level by Engineers Ireland or an equivalent accredited body internationally.
• Have at least five years' satisfactory relevant engineering experience.
• Possess a high standard of technical training and experience.
• Possess a high standard of administrative experience.
• Have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation or the ability to acquire such knowledge.

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENTThe Post

The post is whole-time (i.e. 35 hours per week) and is a 2-year Fixed-Term Contract.

Location

Longford County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidates to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future.

The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Commencement

Longford County Council 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 they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Longford County Council shall not appoint them.

Working Hours

The current working hours are 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. A flexible working system is in operation. Longford County Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Longford County Council requires employees to record their hours using a clocking system.

Reporting Arrangements

TII Project Liaison Engineers report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Longford County Council as designated for this purpose.

A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Probationary Period of Employment

There shall be a period after appointment during which the appointee will hold the position on probation. The period of probation will be prescribed by the Chief Executive.

Employment may be terminated during the probationary period should service be deemed by the Chief Executive to be unsatisfactory.

Employment may be terminated at the end of the probationary period unless the Chief Executive has certified that the employee had satisfactory service.

Tenure of employment following probation will be subject to satisfactory service.

Remuneration

The current scale for the post of TII Project Liaison Engineer is €60,858 - €84,596 (LSI2) gross per annum (Circular EL 04/2026). The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Circulars.

On appointment, successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee's nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g. P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I.

Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

Superannuation & Retirement

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of the County Council will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the Local Authority at the appropriate rate.

The terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Scheme 1998, as amended, or the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, or the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme & Other Provisions) Act 2012 will apply as appropriate on appointment.

Retirement age for employees is dependent on their relevant contract of employment, with due consideration being given to the rules of the Superannuation Scheme to which they belong.

• For appointees who are deemed not to be "new entrants" as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 65 years of age.
• The minimum retirement age for "new entrants" to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age.
• Effective from 1 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: