Traveller/Community Liaison Officer

The Traveller/Community Liaison Officer will work closely with Traveller families, providing hands-on assistance in both formal halting sites and private residences, managing Traveller-specific accommodation and helping to resolve housing-related challenges.

The Traveller/Community Liaison Officer will also coordinate with other Council departments, external agencies, and social services to offer a holistic approach to improving the living conditions of Traveller families. Regular on-site visits, consultations, and maintaining up-to-date records are critical aspects of this role. The appointee may also have a role in responding to and managing unauthorised dwellings and will be a pivotal liaison in ensuring compliance with local authority regulations.

The role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by fostering positive relationships between the Council and the Traveller community, contributing to improved outcomes members of this community.

Appointments: Subject to the availability of suitability qualified candidates a panel will be formed on the basis of this competition, from which both permanent and/or temporary offers of employment may be made.

Salary: €58,474 - €71,437 - with annual increments payable subject to satisfactory overall performance, attendance, etc.

Offers of appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of this scale. Where the person being appointed is a serving local authority employee, normal starting pay rules will apply.

Annual Leave:30 days per annum

Hours of Work:While the normal working week will constitute 35 hours, the appointee will be required to work the hours directed by the Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, which will include hours outside of the normal working day associated with the responsibilities and requirements of the post.

A flexible working hours scheme is in operation.

The Person

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.

Citizenship:

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

a)     a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA), or

The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

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

Education/ experience, etc.:

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

(a)             have a good standard of education

(b)             have experience of working with or on behalf of community/voluntary/minority/ethnic groups

(c)             possess excellent interpersonal and communications skills

(d)             be able to show an ability to work on their own initiative and resolve issues as they arise

(e)             be willing to work flexible hours

(f)              have proven negotiating skills

(g)             be a proven team worker

Duties and Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the post include, but are not limited to: -

·       making regular visits to Traveller Specific Accommodation both official and unofficial sites as well as home visits to members of the Traveller Community

·       dealing with all issues associated with the provision of accommodation for members of the Travelling Community

·       working with the members of the local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee to achieve the objectives as set out in the Traveller Accommodation Programme as adopted/amended from time to time

·       offering advice and support to tenants from the Traveller community which will help sustain tenancies

·       responding to referrals in relation to housing department clients who are experiencing social difficulties (including tenants living in Traveller specific accommodation and private rented accommodation) and to offer clients advice and information in relation to social issues / support services

·       liaising, where appropriate, with other sections of the Housing Operations Directorate and/or other agencies on behalf of the client

·       advocating, where appropriate, on behalf of the client seeking to access resources from the Housing Operations Directorate and/or external agencies

·       referring clients to other agencies, where appropriate

·       providing other sections of the Housing Operations Directorate with reports outlining the social circumstances of specific housing department clients

·       ensuring accurate and live reporting on the service that may be required for the Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

·       working in partnership with Travellers/other agencies in order to develop initiatives aimed at improving the overall social circumstances of people from the Traveller Community

·       maintaining records and documentation in accordance with Kerry County Council’s policies and procedures, using computerised systems, as appropriate

·       liaising with all of the Traveller Support Agencies as appropriate

·       consulting and working with community, local resident’s groups and voluntary and statutory agencies who deal with Travelling Community issues

·       ensuring, in relation to Traveller Families, that the following activities are attended to

-        visiting tenants in Social Housing and Traveller specific accommodation throughout the county as requested

-        advising tenants in relation to compliance with the Tenancy Agreement

-        referring tenants to other sections of local authority or Government Departments from which they may need assistance or advice

-        making recommendations for adjustments to tenancies in response to family needs

-        providing information and support as appropriate on family health and wellbeing

·       investigate and report on the applications for local authority housing/halting site/group house accommodation from members of the Travelling Community

·       when required, investigating and reporting on applicants for tenancies of houses provided by the local authority and report on the circumstances of persons living in houses affected by the housing activities of the local authority

·       presenting information to Court, if necessary

·       carrying out such general welfare activities not necessarily connected with housing as may be assigned to him/her by the local authority from time to time

·       ensuring the discharge of all professional and statutory responsibilities in the area of childcare, in collaboration with the Child & Family Agency

·       assist the Homeless Information Centre in addressing the accommodation needs of members of the Travelling community who present as homeless

In addition, appointees will be required to:

·             comply with Health and Safety legislation at all times

·             ensure an efficient and effective response to all stakeholders

·             prepare reports as required

·             attend training as required

·             participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to their grade

·             undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required, or assigned, from time to time

·             deputise for other employees of a higher grade as required

Format of the Competition

All applications must be completed via the competition application form and filled out in full. When completing the application form, accuracy is essential as the information supplied in the form will play a central part in the selection process.

Where the volume of applications received exceeds that required to fill existing and future vacancies, and / or where it would not be practical to interview all applicants, Kerry County Council reserves the right to arrange short listing of applications. It is in each candidate’s own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of their relevant qualifications/ experience on the application form and also to demonstrate sufficient evidence of the competencies required for the positions under each competency.

Short-listing may take the form of Desk-top Short-listing or a Preliminary Interview. Candidates deemed qualified and/or most suitable will progress to the interview stage and those called for interview will be required to demonstrate the competencies outlined below.

Essential Skills

In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria set out above, candidates must be able to demonstrate that they possess the following knowledge, experience, skills and competencies. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by the candidates.

Management and Change

·   Be effective in translating objectives into operational plans and outputs

·   Develop and maintain positive, productive and beneficial working relationships

·   Effectively manage the introduction of change and demonstrate flexibility and openness to change

Delivering Results

·   Contribute to the development of operational plans and lead the development of team plans

·   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

Leading and Motivating, and Managing Performance

·   Lead, motivate and engage employees to achieve quality results and to deliver on operational plans

·   Effectively manage performance

Communicating Effectively

·   Have effective verbal and written communication skills

Personal Effectiveness

·    Take initiative and seek opportunities to exceed goals

·    Manage time and workload effectively

·    Maintain a positive, constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

·     Knowledge of current local government issues, priorities, concerns and future direction

·     Understanding of the role

·     Relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level

·     Experience of compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence, etc.

·     Effective financial and resource management skills

·     Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems

Interview

Candidates invited to participate in the interview process will be expected to demonstrate the key competencies outlined above and will be assessed and marked on the basis how they demonstrate their knowledge, skills and experience.

General Information

Kerry County Council will not be responsible for any expense, including travelling expenses, which candidates may incur in connection with their candidature. Candidates will be asked for details of any special requirements which they may have in attending for interview.

Appointees will be required to undertake travel as required in line with their duties, and in that regard must hold a full driving licence, EU Model for Class B Vehicles and must have access to an appropriately insured and licensed car for the purpose of the duties of the position.

Candidates invited to attend for interview may be asked, at any stage of the recruitment process, to supply further documentation in relation to their academic qualifications, employment history, etc. Any offer of employment will be subject to verification of information provided on the application form, pre-employment medical examination, reference checks, and Garda vetting if appropriate. An applicant who is found to be ineligible at any stage of the competition will not be further considered. Provision of inaccurate, untrue or misleading information will result in disqualification from the competition, withdrawal of employment offered, or dismissal.

Any attempt by a candidate himself or herself or by any person(s) acting at the candidate’s instigation, directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise, to canvass or otherwise influence in the candidate’s favour, any member of the staff of Kerry County Council or person nominated by Kerry County Council to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidate for the position being sought.