Anti-Social Behaviour Officer

The Role of the Anti-Social Behaviour Officer

Louth County Council is seeking an Anti-Social Behaviour Officer to work in various housing estates. This will involve, inter alia, the following: Specific duties will include, but are not be limited to:-

Ø  engaging in a proactive and positive manner with residents in estates

Ø  encouraging residents to take ‘ownership’ of their estates through promoting the formation of Residents Associations and supporting the work of existing Residents Associations

Ø  administering Council policies and procedures in respect of Lettings, Tenancy Agreements and Anti-Social Behaviour

Ø  enforcement of terms of Tenancy Agreements – e.g. ensuring tenants keep their dwellings and surrounding areas in good condition

Ø  ensuring a visible presence by the Council on all estates on a regular basis and monitoring estate management to help promote good community relations and prevent anti-social and nuisance behaviour in our estates

Ø  carrying out property inspections and spot checks on the number and names of occupants in local authority dwellings and dealing with permission to reside

Ø  responding promptly and professionally to all complaints from members of the public and representations from Public Representatives

Ø  responding to complaints regarding non-compliance with Tenancy Agreement and incidences of Anti-Social Behaviour to include initial investigation, liaison with the parties involved, co-ordination of response/action and escalation formal processes as appropriate.

Ø  responding to emergencies as they arise, including outside of office hours when necessary and authorised

Ø  carrying out appropriate on-site visits, monitoring behaviour and accessing information from various sources in relation to complaints

Ø  preparing reports as required for submission to the relevant personnel

Ø  arranging for and serving any necessary statutory notices. Where a particular course of action is determined, the officer will be expected to follow that course of action to its completion

Ø  preparing evidence for use in court proceedings and appearing as a material witness in court proceedings as required

Ø  attending at the place of an eviction and co-ordinating all necessary actions to ensure its successful implementation

Ø  arranging and attending any multi-agency case conferences, which deal with anti-social behaviour in accordance with Louth County Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Policy

Ø  liaising with other statutory service providers, e.g. Gardaí, HSE, Department of Social Protection, Tusla, Local Development Agencies, Probation & Welfare Service, Community Based Family Support Services, etc.

Ø  liaising with other relevant sections within Louth County Council in order to ensure that the needs of local authority estates / accommodation are brought to the attention of the relevant department

Ø  complying with Louth County Council’s Child Protection Policy and notifying issues arising to the Designated Liaison Officer

Ø  responsibility for file management, to include prompt responses to all correspondence and recording of calls, emails, interactions, site visits etc

Ø  operating appropriate technology including new technology as required, e.g. computer systems, hand-held terminals, mobile phones, etc.

Ø  working at the premises to which assigned during the hours required and in the absence of outdoor duties, remaining office-based and carrying out the duties assigned

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

Post of Anti-Social Behaviour Officer

Louth County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Louth County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post, from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. This panel will exist for 12 months and may only be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Qualifications & Particulars

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.

Education, Training, Experience

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

• Have a good standard of Education,
• Satisfactory knowledge of the issues surrounding social housing provision and management by local authorities and in particular the problems and issues involved in dealing with anti-social behaviour in local authority housing estates.
• Good interpersonal, communication, organisation, negotiating and dispute resolution skills.

·       Ability to work in team situations with other employees of the local authorities and on ones own initiative as required

• Ability to foster and develop working relationships and liaison arrangements with other employees of the local authorities and other statutory and non-statutory organisations e.g. An Garda Síochána, Health Service Executive, Courts Service, Probation Service, Government Departments, Voluntary and other Housing Associations and Community Groups etc.
• Sufficient administrative, clerical and computer skills to perform the job satisfactorily
• Have a valid full clean drivers licence and the use of own transport.

Assessment Procedure

Candidates will have to demonstrate from their application form to the satisfaction of a short-listing board that they possess sufficient skills and experience in the competencies listed below in order to be called for interview.

1.     Understanding Purpose & Change

2.     Delivering Results

3.     Performance through People

4.     Local Government Understanding & Knowledge

Candidates short-listed for interview will then be assessed at the interview under the competencies listed above using some/all of the following indicators within each competency.

Understanding Purpose & Change

·       Understands the Council’s purpose, goals and priorities,

·       Shows commitment to these goals and ensures that the team understands how their work contributes to meeting the Council’s objectives,

·       Has an understanding of the role of the elected council and the elected members,

·       Understands and adheres to the Code of Conduct for all employees and complies with all Council rules, regulations and procedures,

·       Ensures that there is full understanding of and compliance with all Council rules, regulations and procedures for employees within designated area of responsibility,

·       Supports diversity,

·       Understands and supports Workplace Partnership,

·       Represents the Council positively when dealing with the public or other agencies,

·       Creates a positive image of the Council both within the team and through interaction with the public and other stakeholders,

·       Understands the need for change and gets this across persuasively to others,

·       Makes a positive case for change and elicits commitment from others,

·       Implements change in an orderly and determined manner; &

·       Co-operates fully in implementing safe systems of work in accordance with the Corporate Safety Statement and relevant Ancillary Safety Statement for their area of work.

Delivering Results

·       Evaluates issues and situations in a logical and objective manner in order to arrive at effective solutions,

·       Makes decisions in a timely, clear and well informed way,

·       Helps translates the business/team plan objectives into clear priorities and actions for their area of operation,

·       Helps establish high quality service and customer care standards,

·       Allocates resources (staff and equipment) across jobs to ensure that priorities are met and that work is executed in the most efficient manner possible to deliver quality work and services,

·       Takes initiatives to control and reduce the cost of activities and minimise waste in the services provided,

·       Abides by the laws, regulations and policies and procedures affecting your employment and the discharge of your duties,

·       Sets and implements high standards of service delivery in accordance with the established parameters of the operational plans; &

·       Closely monitors quality of activities and takes initiatives to improve work processes over time.

Performance through people

·       Leads the team/service area in a manner that provides clarity of purpose and a focus on delivery,

·       Engages with individual staff and the team in a motivational and supportive way,

·       Leads and develops the team and its members to achieve corporate objectives through the effective management of performance, using the PMDS process,

·       Builds and maintains positive working relationships and constructively addresses conflict or employee dissatisfaction,

·       Recognises the value of and requirement to communicate effectively,

·       Has good written and verbal skills; &

·       Has good interpersonal skills.

Local Government Knowledge and Understanding

·       Demonstrates a knowledge of the structure and functions of local government,

·       Demonstrates a knowledge of current local government issues and advocates practical approaches to addressing them,

·       Demonstrates a clear and realistic view of future trends and strategic direction of local government: &

·       Demonstrates an understanding of the role of a Tenant Liaison Officer in this context.

Particulars of Post

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 Anti-Social Behaviour Officer is: €49,706 - €59,456 gross per annum.

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.02/2011, 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.

Location of post

Louth 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.

Superannuation

A.     Officers joining the Public Service after the 1st January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. A Class rate of PRSI contribution will apply. A rate of 3% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme.

OR

B.     Officers who became pensionable officers of the Public Service prior to 1st January 2013 and who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of the net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). You will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% of your pensionable remuneration to the Spouses & Children’s Pension Scheme.

OR

C.     Officers who become pensionable officers of a Public Service prior to 5th April 1995 and who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. If an option to join a dependent scheme was made you will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% to a Dependents Pension Scheme.

Retirement

Retirement is dependent on the superannuation scheme you become a member of and details will be made available to you upon appointment.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it may be necessary for the successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo at his/her expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

Probation

Where a person, who is not already a permanent officer of Louth County Council, is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

·       There will be a probationary period of 9 months from date of employment,

·       The Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend this period,

·       You shall cease to hold office at end of the period of probation unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that your service is satisfactory.

Residence

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

References

Applicants are required to advise the names of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related (at least one of the referees should be an existing or former employer).

In advance of any offer of employment, Louth County Council reserves the right to seek both written and verbal references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.

Hours of work

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty five hour working week. A flexible working hours’ system is in operation and may be availed of subject to the terms and conditions of the Flexitime Policy.