Traveller Liaison Officer

The Role of the Traveller Liaison Officer

Reporting to the Senior Staff Officer, Housing Department, the Traveller 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 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. You will also have a vital role in responding to and managing unauthorised Traveller encampments and will be a pivotal liaison in conflict resolution and 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 for this marginalised group. If you have experience working with vulnerable communities and are passionate about driving social change, this role provides a challenging yet rewarding opportunity.

The Traveller Liaison Officer (Grade V) duties shall include but are not limited to the following:

• Visiting Traveller specific accommodation as requested.

• Advising tenants in relation to compliance with the Letting 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.

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 them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

QUALIFICATIONS – POST OF TRAVELLER LIAISON OFFICER

Character

Each candidate shall 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). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

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, Training, Experience

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

Driving Licence:

Holders of the post must hold a full unendorsed driving licence for class B vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Carlow County Council as your employer must be indemnified on your insurance policy.

Desirable skills:

The ideal candidate will:

➢ Have a good knowledge of housing legislation and regulations.

➢ Possess excellent IT skills.

➢ Have experience of working with the Traveller Community.

➢ Be able to demonstrate a strong ability in the following competency areas:

• Networking & Representing

• Delivering Quality Outcomes

• Problem Solving & Decision Making

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

Candidates are expected to be able to demonstrate in their application and at interview that they possess these competencies through the experience and skills they have gained to date.

Networking and Representing

Develops and maintains positive and beneficial relationships with relevant interests.

Sustains a positive image and profile of the local authority.

• Builds an appropriate network of technical and professional contacts that maintain contemporary knowledge in order to enhance service delivery.

• Articulates and understands the views of relevant stakeholders.

• Recognises the importance of key stakeholders to the local authority and ensures that the local authority plays a constructive part in developing the competence of its key stakeholders.

• Responds positively to the changing needs of communities.

Delivering Quality Outcomes

Promotes the achievement of quality outcomes in delivering services, which are linked to the corporate priorities, with a focus on continuous improvement. Evaluates the outcomes achieved against operational plans, identifies learning and implements improvements required.

• Develops and implements quality assurance measures to achieve compliance with performance standards or benchmarks.

• Delivers services, projects and tasks on time, within budget and achieving expected performance standards.

• Critically evaluates outcomes and processes used to achieve them.

• Assesses feedback and evaluates outcomes to drive continuous improvement.

• Provides appropriate recognition when standards are achieved or exceeded.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Understands the context and impact of decisions made. Acts decisively and make timely, informed and effective decisions.

• Makes timely and reasoned decisions or recommendations, within their area of operation, in a consistent, fair and transparent manner.

• Shows good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations.

• Considers the implications for those affected by a decision.

• Considers the requirement for inter and cross organisational decision making and actions.

• Knows the limits of his/her decision-making authority and the relative importance of each decision.

Particulars of Post

The Post

The post is permanent wholetime and pensionable. The post holder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of his/her duties as a local authority employee.

Duties

The duties of the office are to give to the local authority under the direction and supervision of its appropriate officer such services of an executive, supervisory or advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers and duties and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority when required and such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any other local authority.

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 the Traveller Liaison Officer (analogous to Staff Officer) is: €52,761, €54,337, €55,946, €57,589, €59,244, €61,173 LSI1 €63,109 LSI2 gross per annum (Circular Letter EL 04/2026).

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.01/2022, 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. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

Working Hours

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty-five hours working week, hours may vary from time to time. Carlow County Council operate a flexible time scheme with the earliest start time of 8 a.m. and a latest start time of 10.00 a.m. and the earliest finishing time of 4 p.m. and the latest finishing time of 18.00 p.m. Lunch break consisting of a minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours must be taken between 12.30 p.m. and 14.30 p.m. The Flexi Leave Scheme is available, on request.

Due to the nature of this post, there will be a requirement to work outside of normal hours, including evenings and weekends, as necessary from time to time for which Time in Lieu on a time for time basis will apply. No additional remuneration/overtime will be paid in respect of such activities. All hours of work will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001. The working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council.

Location of post

Carlow 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.