Executive Planner

DESCRIPTION OF THE POST The Executive Planner will be responsible for implementing programmes of work in the Planning & Property Development Department and for providing a multiplicity of planning and related services. The Executive Planner may be assigned to other Wexford County Council Sections to undertake relevant work. Executive Planner positions are multi-faceted and may include some or all of the following key service areas: • Forward Planning and Strategic Projects • Development Management • Enforcement • Community Planning • Biodiversity • Transport Planning • Conservation/Heritage Planning

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST 1. CHARACTER Candidates shall be of good character. 2. HEALTH Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. 3. EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: (a) hold a qualification in Planning (at least level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) (b) have at least five years satisfactory experience of planning work; (c) possess a high standard of technical training and experience and (d) possess a high standard of administrative experience. 4. 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

THE PERSON The person appointed will be able to clearly demonstrate the key competencies as set out in this Booklet. In addition, the successful candidate will possess the following: • An ability to work within teams, including multi-disciplinary teams; • Good planning, operational and project management skills; • Good communication/presentation and interpersonal skills; • Good knowledge, or the ability to quickly acquire good knowledge, of local government functions, services and activities particularly in relation to planning and development;

• Good working knowledge of planning legislation, regulations, guidelines and the principles, practices and techniques of planning; • A good working knowledge and understanding of planning; • An ability to work under pressure and to think laterally, maintaining a solution orientated mind-set in dealing with a wide range of issues;

• Good report writing skills and strong IT skills; • An ability to achieve delivery of competing demands within prescribed timelines and deadlines. • The ability to work well with Local Representatives and the public.

DUTIES OF THE POST The duties of the post are to give the local authority and:- (a) such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the City and County Management Acts, 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 control of the Chief Executive or of such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such planning or ancillary services of an advisory, supervisory or executive nature as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties including the duty of assisting the Director of Service, or other appropriate professional employee, in the supervision of the planning or ancillary services of any of the foregoing local authorities or bodies and, when required to do so, to perform the duty of acting for the appropriate professional employee of higher rank during the absence of such employee of higher rank.

The key duties and responsibilities of the post include but are not limited to, the following: - (i) Assessment and making of recommendations on planning applications in line with all relevant national, regional and local plans/policies, and in accordance with the appropriate legislation and guidelines as required. (ii) Conducting pre-application consultations and provision of planning advice to members of the public, internal departments and to the elected members, in an efficient and flexible manner; (iii) Preparation and implementation of the County Development Plan, local area plans, planning schemes and other planning related reports as required; (iv) Liaising and working with neighbouring planning authorities and other public authorities on all aspects of implementation; (v) Monitoring and reporting on implementation progress, including gathering/analysis of development and market activity; (vi) Monitoring and assisting with the preparation and review of plans, local area plans etc; (vii) Traffic and transport planning; (viii) Preparation of policy and reports as required on a wide variety of conservation related matters; (ix) Building and maintaining co-operative working relationships and supervision of staff as required; (x) Working with communities on plans and strategies including heritage and bio-diversity (xi) Such duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Essential Skills and Experience: The ideal candidate for the position shall have: • satisfactory Planning Experience • the ability to work under pressure (both independently and as part of team) • the ability to work with multidisciplinary teams • the ability to self-motivate to achieve good performance • the ability to motivate, empower, encourage and achieve maximum efficiency and value for money from the personnel and processes under his/ her control • a track record of delivering results • an understanding of Local Authority services and structures in Ireland or have the ability to quickly acquire same • excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills • good knowledge and awareness of statutory obligations of Health and Safety Legislation the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace • the skills to schedule/programme the carrying out of work • an understanding of the role and duties of managers in safety management in the workplace • good general ICT skills • a focus on the customer and on service improvement including taking ownership and resolving issues arising

Candidates must also: • have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned • be suitable on the grounds of character • be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned; candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they: • agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed, are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 1. Tenure: The post, whether temporary or permanent, is whole-time 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). 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 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) in accordance with the terms of the Scheme. For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from 01/01/2013, superannuation contributions are 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. 2. Probation: Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of Wexford County Council is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:- (a) there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which such person shall hold such employment on probation; (b) such period shall be 6 months, but the Chief Executive may, at his discretion, extend such period; (c) such person shall cease to hold such employment at the end of the period of probation, unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory. 3. Salary: The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. 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 employment or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. An allowance may also be payable in respect of travel expenses and subsistence. €57,909 - €80,498 (LSI 2) Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Appointees who are not existing public servants will enter at the minimum point of the scale. 4. Health: For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates, before being appointed, to undergo at their expense, a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. Defects reported as a result of this examination must be remedied before appointment. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate. 5. Retirement / Superannuation: Single Public Service Pension Scheme: Effective from 1st January 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new 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. All new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after 1 January 2013 are, in general, members of the Single Scheme.

Pension Age: Minimum pension age of 66 years (rising to 67 and 68 in line with State Pension age changes). Scheme Members must retire at the age of 70 years. New entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1st April, 2004. Retirement Age will be determined by the terms of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004. The Act introduces new retirement provisions for new entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1st April, 2004. For new entrants there is no compulsory retirement age and 65 is the earliest age at which retirement benefits can be paid. In all other cases, 60 years is the minimum retirement age, with 65 years being the maximum retirement age. 6. Safe Pass Card: Successful candidates will be required to have a valid Safe Pass Card prior to taking up duty. 7. Driving Licence: When required to do so holders of the office may be required to drive a motor car in the course of their duties and should therefore, hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles free from endorsement and disqualification. 8. Residence: The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which his or her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof. CLICK THE APPLY BUTTON TO GO TO THEIR CAREERS PAGE WHERE YOU CAN CHECK THIS JOB AND ALL OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.