Traveller Specific Community Safety Liaison Worker

The Position:

Position Title: Traveller Specific Community Safety Liaison Worker

Project: WLCSP Traveller Road/Community Safety and Animal Welfare Awareness Educational Program

Location: Waterford (with community-based outreach across six local Traveller communities)

Contract Type: [Full-time/12 month role fixed term temporary contract]

Reports to: Project Coordinator/ Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership.

Waterford City and County Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of WLCSP Traveller Specific Community Safety Liaison Worker (12 Month Fixed Term Temporary Contract). The role is based within the Community Department of Waterford City & County Council, mainly within the Community Safety Department.

It is proposed to form a panel of qualified candidates from which the position of WLCSP Traveller Specific Community Safety Liaison Worker (12 Month Fixed Term Temporary Contract) will be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Traveller Specific Community Safety Liaison Worker will lead the rollout of the Traveller Road/Community Safety and Animal Welfare Awareness Educational Program. This role is central to engaging Traveller communities, coordinating educational workshops, and ensuring the program’s objectives of improving road safety, community safety, animal welfare, and community relations are achieved.

The post-holder will work directly with Traveller families, WLCSP community groups and partners, animal welfare organisations and relevant State agencies to design, deliver, and evaluate culturally appropriate training and outreach activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Delivery & Training
• Plan, deliver, and evaluate road/community safety and animal welfare workshops tailored to Traveller communities.
• Facilitate practical demonstrations on horse care, safe sulky use, road and community safety practices.
• Ensure training content is culturally appropriate, accessible, and effective.
• Community Engagement
• Build strong relationships with Traveller families, local leaders, and advocacy groups.
• Act as a liaison between Traveller communities and statutory bodies (WLCSP members, Gardaí, RSA, animal welfare services, local authority etc).
• Promote the program through outreach activities, community events, and social media.
• Project Coordination & Reporting
• Assist in the design, planning, and implementation of program activities.
• Collect feedback, track participant progress, and contribute to monitoring and evaluation reports.
• Support compliance with project requirements and funding guidelines.
• Collaboration & Partnership
• Work closely with multi-agency partners, including animal welfare experts, road safety officers, and education providers as agreed and specified by WLCSP Coordinator.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings and contribute to program development and sustainability.

Essential Requirements

• Education & Training
• Level 7/8 qualification in Health Promotion, Community Development, or a related field.
• At least Level 5 qualification in Management.
• Recognised Training Qualification (e.g. Training the Trainer or equivalent).
• Experience
• Minimum 4 years’ experience working directly with Traveller communities, with proven cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• At least 2 years’ experience planning, delivering, and implementing educational programs.
• Experience in community engagement, partnership working, and advocacy.
• Skills & Competencies
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Delivering results, Knowledge and Skills as per role, Management and change, and Performance through people.
• Demonstrated project management, organisational, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multi-agency setting.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion, and community empowerment.
• Knowledge of road safety, animal welfare, or Traveller culture is an advantage.

Additional Information

• A full clean driving licence and access to transport is desirable.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required.
• Garda vetting will be required for this post.

• Program Coordination, Delivery, Training & Reporting (100 Marks)
• Project Management & Organisational Skills (80 Marks)
• Community Engagement and a commitment to equality and inclusion (100 Marks)
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively and within a multi-agency setting (80 Marks)

Salary scale: €52,239 - €62,484 (LSI2) per annum (EL 02/26). Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. Remuneration is paid fortnightly 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.

The normal working hours are 35 hours per week. Flexible working arrangements apply. 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. Waterford City & County Council requires employees to record their hours using the CORE/TDS Clocking system.

The annual leave entitlement for the grade is 30 days per annum. The Chief Executive of Waterford City & County Council retains autonomy with regard to office closures, (e.g. Christmas Office Closure); any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement. Proposed office closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year.

Waterford City & 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.

The relevant Superannuation Scheme will apply. The provisions of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 may apply.

Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority, 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (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 officers who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. The provisions of the Spouses and Children’s/Widows and Orphans Contributory Pension Scheme will continue to apply.

New entrants will be admitted to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme with effect from the date of appointment. The scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement gratuity, death gratuity and survivors benefits. To qualify for a pension the successful candidate must have served a minimum of two years employment in a Local Authority.

There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act2004.

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 or as determined in accordance with Department Circulars and in line with Government Policy.

The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

The Council may refer staff to a medical advisor at any time to determine fitness to carry out the duties to which they have been assigned.

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees, under that Scheme, are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

The successful candidate shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof.

WLCSP Traveller Specific Community Safety Liaison Worker employed by Waterford City & County Council will be required to use their car on official business. In such situations the employee must hold a current clean driver’s licence and have available adequate means of transport.

It is the responsibility of the employee to arrange the appropriate car insurance for business use and to indemnify Waterford City & County Council with the indemnity specified on the insurance certificate under the heading “Persons or classes of person who are covered”. Documentation to confirm the appropriate insurance cover will be required to be supplied to the Council on an annual basis.

Employees are to be required to adhere to all current and future Waterford City & County Council codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational policies including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Staff Mobility, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment. A full list of relevant policies is contained on the council Intranet.

Employees are required to attend and participate fully in training programmes as may be decided by the Council from time to time and to apply their learning in the course of their daily working activities.

Waterford City & 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 (subject to notice requirements) 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, Waterford City & County Council shall not appoint them.

WLCSP Traveller Specific Community Safety Liaison Worker report directly to the Project Coordinator/ Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership or to any other employee of Waterford City & County Council as the Chief Executive, Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal (PMDS) will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Waterford City & County Council as an Employer is obliged to ensure, in so far as it is reasonably practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all of its employees. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect the Safety, Health and Welfare of its employees. All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to co-operate with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do anything, which would place themselves or others at risk.

Employees must not be under the influence of an intoxicant at the place of work. Employees must comply with all Safety and Health rules and regulations and attend all required Safety and Health Training.