Executive Engineer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Essential Requirements

The Executive Engineer is currently the second level of the four tier engineering posts within Offaly County Council. These range from the entry grade of Assistant Engineer through to Executive, Senior Executive and Senior Engineer posts. An Executive Engineer works as part of a multi-disciplinary team within one of the previously mentioned Directorates to deliver key local authority services which include social housing; transportation infrastructure; environmental protection; water, wastewater, & solid waste, recreation and amenity provision and community development.  Local Authorities also play a key role in supporting economic development and enterprise promotion at local level.

The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated person, with a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services and shall demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of:

• Local authority services and its key stakeholders and relationships
• Local government structures and its democratic role and mandate
• Current local government issues, future trends and strategic direction of the sector
• Key policies guiding the local government sector
• Fostering and maintaining wide ranging productive working relationship both internally and externally to the organisation
• Managing and implementing change
• Public Works Contracts
• Public Service values

The ideal candidate shall also have a proven ability in:

• Administering capital works projects
• Budget management and achieving efficiencies
• Managing and supervising employees
• Project management
• Negotiation skills
• Management of Health, Safety and Welfare in the workplace
• Administration and report writing
• Operation of ICT systems
• Planning and prioritisation of work effectively
• Acting on own initiative
• Decision making
• Implementing and supporting change management
• Contributing to strategic planning and policy making and translating it into operational planning and output
• Dealing effectively with conflicting demands
• Working under pressure to tight deadlines
• Communicating and delivering a difficult message to a range of target audiences

Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of the specific areas:

Engineering Practice:

Experience of the practical application of:

• Engineering design
• Contract and construction processes, procedures and practices
• Health & Safety legislation

Management & Change:

·       Strategic, contract and project management

·       Understanding the need for change

·       Adapting to change and new ways of working

·       Implementing change in an orderly and determined manner

Delivering Results

• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Operational Planning
• Managing Resources
• Delivering Quality Outcomes

Performance Through People

• Leading and Motivating
• Managing Performance
• Communicating Effectively

Personal Effectiveness

• Resilience and Personal Well-Being
• Integrity & Public Service Values
• Personal Motivation and Initiative
• Understanding the structures and environment within which the local authority sector operates
• Political Awareness

QUALIFICATIONS

1.     Character:

Each candidate must be of good character.

2.     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.

3.     Education, Experience, etc.

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

a)                   hold an honours degree (level 8 in the National Framework of

Qualifications) in Engineering;

b)                   have at least five year’s satisfactory relevant engineering experience;

c)                   possess a high standard of technical training and experience;

and

d)                  possess a high standard of administrative experience.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

1. The Post:

The post is whole time and pensionable. A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel will be used to fill both permanent and temporary positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

2. Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time.  Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular.   Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale.  Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale, and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale.  The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay.

The current salary scale applicable to the post is €57,909 - €80,498 LSI 2

3.     Duties:

The duties of the post are to give to the local authority, and

a)     such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001 and 2014, is Chief Executive, and

b)    to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority, or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and supervision of the Chief executive or such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative or management nature as may be required by any local authority or body herein before mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him/her by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The post holder will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level. The post holder may be required to work outside his/her normal job description from time to time

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require:

• The design, implementation and project management of engineering programmes throughout the relevant divisions within the local authority
• Designing and preparing contract documents, tendering, recommending on appointment of successful contractors and managing the construction phase of projects
• Preparing ‘Part 8’ planning documentation and liaising with and presenting to elected members and Government Departments and Agencies funding the projects
• Establishing frameworks and procuring and recommending appointment of Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Mechanical & Civil Engineering Consultants and supervision of same
• Supervision and contract administration of construction / operations / maintenance works
• Managing and supervising staff including assignment of duties and workloads and identification of training needs
• Preparing and effectively managing budgets where responsibility for project delivery has been specifically assigned
• Identifying opportunities for improvements or achievement of efficiencies in service delivery
• Maintaining and proactively developing a culture of Health and Safety in the workplace
• Ensuring compliance with Health and Safety legislation and regulations, and Offaly County Council’s Safety Management Systems
• Ensuring works are implemented in compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations including planning and procurement requirements
• Preparing, assessing and making recommendations on tender and contract documentation
• Dealing efficiently, effectively and professionally at all times with stakeholders including local authority staff, elected members, community groups, businesses and residents
• Liaising with and responding to other local authorities, government departments and statutory agencies where required
• Compiling, preparing and presenting reports as necessary to a variety of stakeholders including organisation of public consultation meetings and processes
• Preparing and presenting reports to the Council, Municipal Districts, Strategic Policy Committees or other fora where required
• Carrying out duties in an impartial manner that enhances public trust and confidence in the local authority decision making process
• Carrying out duties in a politically neutral manner, with a clear understanding of the political reality and context of the local authority.
• Deputising for the Senior Executive Engineer or other senior grade when required
• Undertaking any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required, or assigned, from time to time

4. Work Base:

Offaly County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. 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.

5. Working Hours:

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty--five hours working week, hours may vary from time to time.

The working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council. The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary. No additional remuneration will be paid in respect of such activities.

The provisions of Offaly County Council’s Time and Attendance Policy is applicable to this grade at the current time. A flexible working hours system is in operation subject to the terms and conditions of the Time and Attendance Policy.

6. Annual Leave:

The current annual leave entitlement is 30 days. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (as amended)

7. Sick Leave:

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

8. Probation:

Appointees will be on probation for the first year of employment. The terms of the Offaly County Council Probation Policy will apply

9. Superannuation:

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012: New members joining the Public Sector on or after 1st January, 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. The Single Scheme applies to all pensionable first-time entrants to the Public Service as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. A rate of PRSI contribution will be required of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 3% 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 dependant or qualified children). This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme. Pension and retirement lump sum based on career-average pay, pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory (SPC).

For persons who commenced public sector employment prior to 1st January 2013: 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 (ie. 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 Childrens 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.

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