Traffic Warden

The Position

The Council now invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and fixed term contract posts for the position of Traffic Warden may be drawn.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main duties and responsibilities of a Traffic Warden are as follows:

• Patrol assigned areas including public roads, on-street parking, and off-street Council car parks.

• Monitor compliance with Westmeath County Council Parking Bye-Laws, Disc Parking Regulations, Road Traffic Acts, Roads Acts, Finance Acts, and any other relevant statutory instruments or regulations.

• Issue Fixed Charge Offence Notices (“On-the-spot fines”) for violations, including parking restrictions, non-display of parking permits, or non-display of a valid Road Fund Licence (vehicle tax disc).

• Enforce Westmeath County Council Casual Trading Bye-Laws where required.

• Be fully conversant with relevant Bye-Laws, Traffic Acts, and other statutory instruments as appropriate to duties.

• Implement any new or amended Bye-Laws or statutory instruments introduced by Westmeath County Council.

• Keep accurate and detailed records of offences for the purpose of Court proceedings.

• Prepare necessary documentation, clear and concise reports, and evidence for Court when required.

• Attend Court and give evidence as necessary.

• Carry out administrative duties relating to the enforcement of parking regulations as requested.

• Maintain accurate electronic and paper records using Information Communications Technology as required.

• Report to assigned Supervisors regarding work schedules, completion of duties, and preparation of evidence.

• Behave in a courteous, professional, and helpful manner toward the public, including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• Report any defects in regulatory traffic signs, pavement condition or furniture, road markings, traffic information signs, or abandoned vehicles encountered while on duty.

• Use assigned mode of transport as requested.

• Assist in the training of newly employed Traffic Wardens as required.

• From time to time, act in the roles of Litter or Community Warden and School Traffic Warden.

• Carry out any other duties as assigned by the Officer in Charge or Westmeath County Council.

Qualifications for the Post

1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

The role is substantially street based and involves periods of walking and standing. Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. Citizenship

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

a) A citizen of the European Economic Area. The European Economic Area consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway; or

b) A citizen of the United Kingdom; or

c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

d) A non-European Economic Area citizen who is a spouse or child of a European Economic Area, United Kingdom, 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

A non-European Economic Area citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, a European Economic Area Member State, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

4. Education, Training, Experience

Candidates must have, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(i) A standard of education sufficient to enable them to efficiently carry out the assigned duties and, as a minimum, a Junior Certificate or equivalent standard in English.

(ii) Sufficient knowledge and experience to exercise initiative and sound judgment.

(iii) The ability to drive a motor vehicle and hold a current, full, unendorsed Category B driving licence.

(iv) The ability to operate a personal computer and, where relevant, demonstrate a willingness to learn and the aptitude to use new technology and information systems in a work context.

Non-Irish qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. Overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

5. The Ideal Candidate

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate, through their application form and at interview, the following:

• A personable and enthusiastic manner, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• The ability to write clear and concise reports.

• A flexible approach to working hours, as the successful candidate may be required to work evenings, nights, and weekends.

• A satisfactory knowledge of, or the ability to understand, Westmeath County Council Parking Places Bye-Laws, including Disc Parking Regulations, Road Traffic Acts, and any other relevant Acts, Regulations, or Parking Control Bye-Laws.

Particulars of Office (Including Retirement)

1. The Post

A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel may be used to fill permanent and fixed term positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. Vacancies may arise on a county-wide basis. Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any work location having regard to funding and or operational circumstances.

2. Salary

The current salary for the post of Traffic Warden is €844.48 to €911.39 per week, including Long Service Increments, which is analogous to the Water and Sewerage Caretaker Grade V scale as per Circular EL 02 2026. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

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

New entrants to the Local Authority Service commence on the first point of the scale in accordance with current Government Policy as set out in Department of the Environment Circular Letter EL 02 2011 of 28 January 2011 and Circular EL 05 2016 dated 5 February 2016.

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

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, for example Pay As You Earn and Pay Related Social Insurance. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct, performance, and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance, or conduct are not satisfactory.

You agree that in the event of an overpayment of salary or other monies to you, the Council reserves the right to deduct monies from your wages, for the purposes of the Payment of Wages Act 1991, for reimbursement of the amount of the overpayment, in keeping with Section 5 subsection 5 of the Payment of Wages Act 1991.

3. Superannuation and Retirement

Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details of the relevant scheme will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.

Employees are admitted to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms of the Local Government Superannuation Consolidation Act 1998 and the Superannuation Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2004, with effect from the date of appointment. This scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement, and death gratuities.

In order for a new entrant to the scheme to qualify for a pension, the employee must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority.

The compulsory retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions Single Scheme and Other Provisions Act 2012 is 70 years.

Anyone who is not a new entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years.

4. Probation

There shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which the person shall hold the position on probation.

The probation period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period.

The person appointed shall cease to hold office at the end of the period of probation unless the Chief Executive has certified that the service of the person in such office is satisfactory.

The Local Authority shall require persons to whom appointments are offered to take up such appointments within a period of not more than one month and if they fail 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 them.

5. Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement shall be 25 days. Public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and local agreements which may apply from time to time.

6. Working Hours

Traffic Wardens will be required to work a 39 hour, 5 day week, over the period Monday to Saturday inclusive, within the following range: 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Saturday. Saturday working will form part of a rotating roster as required by operational needs.

The hours and days of work may be subject to change from week to week. Rostered days and hours, including start and finish times, will be determined by the Officer in Charge and notified in advance. Traffic Wardens may be required to work overtime, depending on operational requirements and at the discretion of the Officer in Charge. Where possible, notice of overtime will be given in advance.

Traffic Wardens may not leave their work location during normal working hours without formal authorisation from the Officer in Charge, including lunchtime, for which an eating on site allowance is paid. Traffic Wardens will be required to report to base each morning when on duty and, when required, to return to base at any time during working hours as requested by their Supervisor.

Worked hours will be recorded in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 Regulations. Traffic Wardens will be required to operate the Council’s Attendance Management System.

7. Sick Leave

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

8. Location

Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate 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.

9. Code of Conduct and Organisational Policies

Employees are required to adhere to all current and future Westmeath County Council Codes of Practice, including the Code of Conduct of Employees and all organisational policies.

10. Uniform

Traffic Wardens shall be supplied with a full uniform, which must be worn while on duty and maintained at all times to the satisfaction of Westmeath County Council.

11. Training

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills required for the performance of the duties attached to the post.

12. Safety and Welfare

Westmeath County Council, as an employer, is obliged to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all its employees. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the Council has a legal duty to exercise due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect employees.

The holder of the post shall cooperate with the terms of the Westmeath County Council Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. The post holder shall familiarise himself or herself with safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety clothing and equipment.

Employees must cooperate with management and must not engage in improper conduct or behaviour that would place themselves or others at risk. Employees must not be under the influence of an intoxicant in the workplace.

Employees must comply with all Safety and Health rules and regulations and attend all required Safety and Health training.

13. Driver’s Licence and Insurance

It is desirable that the post holder shall hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles, as he or she may be required to use a motor car in the course of duties and provide and maintain a vehicle to the satisfaction of the Council.

It is the responsibility of the post holder to arrange insurance cover for business use and to indemnify Westmeath County Council with the indemnity specified on the insurance certificate under the heading Persons or Classes of Persons Who Are Covered.

Travelling and subsistence expenses incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with the relevant Department Circulars and Local Authority Travel and Subsistence Policy.

If, during employment, the licence is revoked, even temporarily, or endorsements are received which may affect duties, the Council must be notified immediately.

14. Garda Vetting

Successful candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting in advance of appointment to the position.

15. Employee Benefits

Examples of current employee benefits include:

• Allocation of 25 days annual leave per annum

• A range of family friendly policies

• Availability of an Optical Benefit Scheme

• Availability of a Cycle to Work Scheme

• A range of learning and developmental opportunities

• Paid maternity and paternity leave

• Option to become a member of Westmeath County Council Social Club

• State of the art office accommodation in the Civic Headquarters

• Automatic entry into a pension scheme

• Access to services provided under Westmeath County Council Employee Assistance Programme.