Traveller Liaison & Traveller Accommodation Programme Manager

1.     The Role

The Traveller Liaison & Traveller Accommodation Programme Manager (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Manager’) will work as part of a team in the Housing Department under the direction and control of the Senior Executive Officer or analogous grade or other officer designated by the Chief Executive or Director of Services as appropriate. The Manager will work primarily on the provision of services, advice and support to Travellers in the Fingal area.

The Manager will assist with the preparation and delivery of the Traveller Accommodation Programme and assessment of accommodation needs, with regard to the provision of housing support for Traveller families living in the County.

Other duties will include scheduling meetings/clinics and appointments and recording of such on IT systems. Interaction with Traveller Citizens parked without permission in the County will form an important part of the role.

This role will require a significant amount of time on site visiting Halting Sites, Group Housing Schemes and homes of Traveller Families and will include responsibilities regarding the management and control of such sites.

2.     Duties

The key duties of the Manager include, but are not limited to:

 

·       Manage and supervise staff up to the position/grade of Senior Staff Officer or analogous grades and to ensure the training and development of such staff;

·       To build effective teams, develop motivation and commitment and maintain positive employee relations and morale as relevant, in accordance with good employment practice and relevant legislation;

·       Implement agreed Council strategies and deliver on its Corporate and Operational plans to meet and to expand/improve the range, quantity/quality of existing Council services;

·       Ensure compliance with Council polices, procedures, practices and standards in compliance with the principles of good governance, legislative requirements and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage circulars and guidance;

·       Lead, communicate, implement and manage change management initiatives within the relevant area of responsibility;

·       Identify and agree work programmes, targets and deadlines and ensure their subsequent implementation;

·       Research, analyse and communicate information on specific issues and policies as appropriate, including compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence etc;

·       Implement the systems necessary and co-ordinate the resources to support the service. This includes systems to manage finance and budgets and ensure value for money, preparation of budgets and maximizing funding opportunities where appropriate;

·       Assist with the preparation and implementation of the Traveller Accommodation Programme;

·       Deliver on the objectives of the Council’s current Traveller Accommodation Programme;

·       Develop strong working relationships with the Travelling Community on official/unofficial halting sites and Traveller Specific Accommodation in the County;

·       To work in partnership and collaboration with Travellers, Traveller Support Agencies, the wider community and other agencies and stakeholders in order to develop initiatives aimed at improving the overall social circumstances of the Traveller Community;

·       Communicate and liaise effectively with employees, managers, customers, Elected Representatives and other stakeholders in relations to operational matters in accordance with policy;

·       Make regular site visits to Traveller Specific Accommodation both official and unofficial sites as well as home visits to Members of the Travelling Community. The successful candidate will be required to drive a car in the course of their duties;

·       To act as the primary point of contact for accommodation related services for the Traveller Community and co-ordinate responses to daily queries, issues and complaints arising;

·       Offer advice and support to tenants from the Travelling community which will help sustain tenancies and promote positive Tenancy engagement;

·       Respond 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;

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

·       Advocate, where appropriate, on behalf of the client seeking to access resources from the Housing Department and/or external agencies;

·       Refer clients to other agencies, where appropriate;

·       Undertake administrative functions as required by the role;

·       Maintain records and documentation in accordance with Council policies and procedures, using computerised systems, as appropriate;

·       Assist with the completion of the Annual Estimate of Accommodation of Traveller families;

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

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

-        Visiting tenants in Social Housing and Traveller specific accommodation in the County as requested;

-        Advising tenants in relation to compliance with their Tenancy Agreement;

-        Referring tenants to other sections of the Local Authority or Government Departments from which they may need assistance or advice if required;

-        Advising and assisting regarding adjustments to tenancies in response to family needs;

-        Providing information and support as appropriate on family health and wellbeing;

-        Providing information and support on interpersonal matters as appropriate including relations between tenants;

·       Maintain confidentiality, exercising discretion, and demonstrating a high level of sensitivity are essential requirements of the role, in accordance with organisational policies, data‑protection obligations, and the sensitive nature of the work;

·       Assist in the investigation of complaints of anti-social behavior and estate management issues in Traveller Accommodation and assist in resolving any such issues where possible;

·       Issue warning letters, preparation of legal files and attendance at Court to give evidence , as required;

·       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;

·       Comply with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work;

·       Deputise for staff at a more senior level as required;

·       Represent the Council on Committees and at meetings and to report on progress in their respective section as required;

·       To undertake any other such duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

These tasks which are indicative rather than exhaustive are carried out under general supervision.

Persons appointed will be required to work in any location within the Fingal administrative area.

 

3.     Qualifications and Requirements of the Post

CHARACTER

Each candidate must be of good character.

 

HEALTH

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

 

EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC.

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

(a) Hold an honours degree (Level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in one of the following: Social Work, Community Development, Social Policy, sociology, Public Administration or equivalent relevant discipline or

(i) have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level in five subjects (or four subjects if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics, and

(ii) have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in higher level (or Honours) papers in three subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics)

and

(b) Have at least 4 years satisfactory relevant experience working with vulnerable and/or marginalized families

(c) Have experience of working in a Local Authority setting or other statutory agency e.g. the Health Service Executive, Education and Training Board, TUSLA (Child and Family Agency)

(d) Have knowledge and understanding of issues affecting the Travelling community and of the role of the local authority in relation to housing and other supports for vulnerable and/or marginalized groups

(e) Have awareness of key legislation including but not limited to – child protection, housing and local government.

 

DRIVING LICENCE

Holders of the office will be required to drive a motor car in the course of their duties and must therefore, hold a current full driving license (Class B) free from disqualification and medical limitations.

DESIRABLES

The ideal candidate shall:

·       Demonstrate competence in the following areas - Networking and Representing, Delivering Quality Outcomes and Problem Solving and Decision Making;

·       Have a good knowledge of Housing legislation and regulations;

·       Possess excellent IT skills;

·       Have experience of working with the Travelling Community;

·       Have an appreciation and understanding of the Traveller Community.

Candidates may be shortlisted for interview based on the desirables listed above.

 

4.     The Selection Process

Fingal County Council reserves the right to shortlist applications, if required. This is not to suggest that any candidate may be unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the duties of the post advertised, but rather that there may be candidates who have demonstrated that they are better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.

 

The number of persons to be invited, in these circumstances, to interview shall be determined by the local authority from time to time, having regard to the likely number of vacancies to be filled.

 

Step 1: Initial Screening

In the first instance, all applications received by the latest date/time for receipt of completed applications are screened for eligibility in accordance with the qualifications for the post as set out in this booklet and declared by the Minister for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under Section 160 of the Local Government Act 2001.

 

Step 2: Shortlisting

Each candidate’s application may be assessed against pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position as outlined in this booklet. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to provide a detailed and accurate account of their qualifications and/or experience in their application form and to outline the relevance of their experience in the examples provided.

 

Step 3: Interview

Candidates who are successful in the shortlisting process will be invited to attend for interview(s). Fingal County Council will endeavor to give sufficient notice of the interview to shortlisted candidates. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the candidate to make themselves available on the date/time selected. Candidates who do not attend for interview will be deemed to have withdrawn their application from the competition. Expenses incurred by candidates in attending for interview, will be at the candidates own expense.

An independent interview board will be established by the Senior Executive Officer, People Services, or other designated officer, to assess the candidates shortlisted for interview. The interview board will generally comprise of a Chairperson and two other members, who will have expert knowledge in the relevant field. The objective of the interview board is to identify candidates who best meet the objective criteria and competencies required for the position and to place them in order of merit.

Candidates who are successful in the interview will be qualified in order of merit for appointment to the post of Traveller Liaison & Traveller Accommodation Programme Manager and placed on a panel. It should be noted that placement on a panel may not necessarily lead to a job offer. The selection process is not concluded until such time as references have been sought and clearance checks, i.e. Garda vetting, occupational health, verification of education qualifications, etc, have been carried out to the satisfaction of the Council.

 

5.     Benefits

At Fingal County Council, we value our employees and want to support them to develop their careers. We offer flexible working arrangements, competitive salaries and pension benefits, a positive work environment, training and development opportunities, a defined career path in a supportive and inclusive culture and the opportunity to make a difference, along with the following benefits:

Standard working day is 9-5

Excellent Work/Life balance with Family Friendly Schemes such as Shorter Working Year and Work-sharing

Opportunities for promotion and career development

Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme

Pension Scheme

Blended Working available - up to 2 days per week

Ongoing training and higher educational support

Cycle to Work Scheme

6.     Particulars of Employment

The employment is wholetime, permanent and pensionable. Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

 

Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

 

All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

 

HOURS OF DUTY

The standard working week will be 35 hours per week. The role may, on occasion, include evening and weekend work.

Holders of the post may be called for duty at any time in accordance with arrangements made by local authorities. The Council reserves the right to alter hours of work from time to time.

 

GARDA VETTING

This post will come within the scope of the Local Authorities Garda Vetting process. Candidates should be aware that any information obtained in the Garda Vetting process can be made available to the employing authority.

 

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.

 

PROBATION

(a)   there shall be a period after such employment takes effect during which such persons shall hold such employment on probation,

(b)   such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period,

(c)    such persons shall cease to hold employment at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

 

SALARY

€61,217 – €62,716 – €64,464 – €66,219 – €67,973 – €69,541 – €71,146 – €72,702 – €74,253 – €76,910 LSI1 – €79,583 LSI2 PER ANNUM

 

Persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of the scale.

 

Holders of the post shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their post or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

 

HEALTH

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are employed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority.

 

RETIREMENT AGE

The retirement age is 70 years.

 

APPOINTMENT

The local authority shall require a person to whom employment is offered to take up such employment within a period of not more than 6 weeks and if he or she fails to take up the employment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not employ the person.

CLICK THE APPLY BUTTON TO GO TO THEIR CAREERS PAGE WHERE YOU CAN CHECK THIS JOB AND ALL OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE