Community Officer

1. The Role Reporting to the Senior Community Officer, or other Senior Grades as appropriate, the Community Officer works within the Community Department to promote and engage in the formation and development of community groups/organisations in the County and to assist with the delivery of community development programmes in Fingal. 2. Duties The duties of the Community Officer include, but are not limited to:

• Support the development of community policy and active participation of the local community
• Encourage the development of local leadership at community level and active volunteerism and citizen participation in community organisations
• Develop and maintain effective relationships at all levels between the local authority, public authorities, local development bodies and voluntary/community groups by the provision of advice and information
• Promote the coordination of effort at local level by all public authorities and agencies to develop and deliver community programmes
• Assess and where appropriate make recommendations to the Principal Community Officer on the community grant schemes operated by the local authority
• Work as part of a team of staff within the Community Department of Fingal County Council and with other Council departments
• Work as part of a team on projects of a specialist of thematic area outside of the assigned area
• Support the implementation and delivery of national and local strategies that support the development of inclusive communities and civic engagement These tasks are indicative rather than exhaustive and other duties may be assigned.

Duties of this office will involve such activities outside normal working hours and additional remuneration will not be payable in respect of evening and/or weekend hours worked. 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. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: (a) have obtained at least Grade D (or a pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five 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 (b) 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) or (c) have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination, or (d) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard, or (e) be a serving employee in a local authority, or a regional assembly and have not less than two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous post.

DESIRABLE

• A third level qualification in Community Development, Social Science or an equivalent qualification, but not essential.
• A background of working with diverse groups experiencing social exclusion would be an advantage.
• A background/experience in educational, social or community development work
• A good standard of administrative experience, including office organisation and supervisory skills.
• Have a strategic approach to the development and implementation of community development and social inclusion.
• Have the ability to communicate effectively with community groups / organisations, management, elected members and staff.
• Have a full clean driving licence.

4. 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 with Flexitime (up to 13 flexi days per year)
• 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

5. 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. 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 €50,206, €51,705, €53,236, €54,799, €56,374, €58,209 (LSI 1), €60,051 (LSI 2) 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.

RECRUITMENT A local authority may decide, by reason of the number of persons seeking admission to a competition, to carry out a shortlisting procedure. 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. Selection will be by means of an interview conducted by or on behalf of the local authority. Candidates will be required to pay any expenses incurred by them in attending the interview. Panels may be formed on the basis of such interviews. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualification declared for the post and that they are otherwise suitable for employment may, within the life of the panel, be employed as appropriate vacancies arise.

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.