Executive Scientist

THE ROLE The Executive Scientist will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within Longford County Council’s Environment Department. They will be responsible for delivering regulatory, enforcement, and awareness activities in environmental protection including aspects in Waste Management, Litter Management, Laboratory Management, Water Quality, Air Quality, Noise Quality, Climate Action, Biodiversity, Energy, and other areas of the environment. The Executive Scientist is required to have and maintain comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all Legislation relating to Environmental Enforcement and the associated obligations on the Local Authority.

THE DUTIES The main duties and responsibilities of the post of Executive Scientist will include but are not limited to: • Lead and manage a technical team within the Environment Regulation and Enforcement Section, including prioritisation and allocation of workload • Line management responsibility for team members, inclusive of PMDS, time & attendance, training and employee wellbeing; • Develop, implement and manage team plans, work programmes and procedures • Manage the completion of the Recommended Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections (RMCEI) Plan for sign off. • Dealing efficiently, effectively and professionally at all times with stakeholders including local authority staff, elected members, community groups, businesses and residents • Manage the collation of data and completion of all relevant Department and other Agency returns, to include the EPA, NWCPO, WERLA, LAWPRO, etc • Responding to and resolving Environmental Complaints including taking relevant enforcement action, recommendations, reporting, issuing directions and statutory notices and ensuring that all are recorded and responded to in a timely fashion; • Prepare summary and indictable files for submitting to Legal Advisors and the DPP for the prosecution of offences in breach of environmental legislation. • Attend District Court and Circuit Court representing Longford County Council as expert witness for criminal proceedings; • Participate, liaise, and report to other local authorities, government departments and statutory agencies, including the EPA; Eastern Midlands WERLA; and LAWPRO. • Implement structured engagement with Planning Department to support pre-planning/preapplication reviews as they relate to Environmental impacts/concerns and required permits. • Assess, examine and make recommendation on applications for Permits, Licences, Certificate of Registrations and Grants administered by the Environment Section. • Develop, implement and complete programme of site monitoring inspections, audits and validations, advising on the requirements under legislation and prepare and maintain reports on completed inspections; Monitor and inspect Development Sites to assess Construction Environmental Management Plans and Resource Waste Management Plans. • Liaise with An Garda Síochána, and engage in multi-agency meetings as required. • Manage the development and completion of Environmental Risk Assessments; • Contribute to and develop Environmental Initiatives, Funding Applications, Project Selection, Management and Delivery. • Assist and lead on the implementation of Circular Economy policies and initiatives; • Implement and manage use of Technology such as Drones, Survey Equipment, Overt and Covert CCTV to detect environmental breaches. • Develop and implement improved use of technology for the collation and mapping of inspections by the Enforcement Teams, ensuring full compliance with the Organisations data management systems ; • Prepare and contribute to Monthly and Annual Implementation Reports. • Manage the collation of data as required in preparation of Data Protection, FOI and AIE Requests, Management Reports and Public Presentations; • Oversight, monitoring and reporting on expenditure and income of allocated budget, including recouping of all available grants and funding. • Prepare tender requests for services and purchase of instruments and materials. • Sourcing, recommending and managing the appointment of consultants and/or contractors as required in full compliance with the Organisations Procurement Policy; • Ensure compliance with Longford County Councils H&S protocols and standards to support implementation of ISO45001. • Carry out all assigned duties in a politically neutral and impartial manner to enhance public trust and confidence in the local authority decision making process • Participate & take part in the duties as required as part of the Organisational response to Climate Action to promote & ensure capacity building, empowering change and delivering action. • Act or deputise for senior personnel in their absence as required.

The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post of Executive Scientist may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post holder may be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other thanthose detailed above and to take instruction from and report to an appropriate officer or suchdesignated officer as may be assigned from time to time by Longford County Council. The role requires flexibility in terms of working hours as the duties may involve working outside of normal office hours. Competencies Key competencies for the post of Executive Scientist are given in the table below. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of their competence under each of these headings. Please take particular note of the competencies listed as any shortlisting or interview processes will be based on the information provided by the candidate in their completed application form.

MANAGEMENT & CHANGE • Strategic Ability Thinks and acts strategically. Translates strategy into operational plans and outputs. Demonstrates innovation and creativity to secure successful strategic outcomes • Political Awareness Has a clear understanding of the political reality and context of the organisation and develops and maintains positive, productive, and beneficial working relationships with all stakeholders • Bringing About Change Effectively manage the introduction of change and demonstrate flexibility and openness to change. Influences others and fosters commitment to change

DELIVERING RESULTS • Problem Solving and Decision Making Make timely, informed and effective decisions and show good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations • Operational Planning Contributes to operational plans and develops team plans in line with priorities and actions for their area of operations. Delegates, tracks and monitors activity. Establishes high quality service and customer care standards. • Managing Resources Manages the allocation, use and evaluation of resources to ensure they are used effectively to deliver on operational plans. • Delivering Quality Outcomes Promotes the achievement of quality outcomes in delivering services. Organises the delivery of services to meet and/or exceed required standards. Evaluates outcomes achieved, identifies learning and implements

PERFORMANCE THROUGH PEOPLE • Leading and Motivating Motivates others individually and in teams to deliver high quality work and customer focused outcomes. Leads by example in terms of commitment, flexibility and a strong customer service ethos. • Managing Performance Effectively manages performance including underperformance or conflict. Empowers and encourages people to deliver their part of the operational plan • Communicating Effectively Recognises the value of communicating effectively with all employees. Actively listens to others. Has High effective verbal and written communication skills.

PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS • Relevant Knowledge Keeps up to date with current developments, trends and best practice in their area of responsibility. Demonstrates the required specialist knowledge and understanding required for the role. • Resilience and Personal Well Being Demonstrates appropriate and positive self–confidence. Remains calm under pressure and operates effectively in an environment with significant complexity and pace. • Integrity Behaves in an honest, trustworthy and respectful manner and is transparent, fair and consistent in dealing with others. • Personal Motivation, Initiative & Achievement Is enthusiastic about the role and sets challenging goals to achieve high quality outcomes. Is self-motivated and persistent when faced with difficulties. Engages in regular critical reflection in order to identify how own performance and can be improved. 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. 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 4. Education, Experience etc. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: (a) hold a minimum honours degree (Level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications - or equivalent professional qualification) in Science or related discipline (b) have at least five years satisfactory experience of scientific work and (c) possess a high standard of technical training and experience and It is desirable that candidates will demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that they have: • At least 3 years’ experience in enforcement and compliance management of Environmental Legislation. • Have relevant experience in collating, preparing and presenting technical reports and be able to interpret and undertake critical analysis of scientific data. • Competency in the area of information technology. Hold a current, full Class B Drivers Licence and have use of a car.

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT 1. The Post The post is wholetime (i.e. 35 hours per week) and appointment may be permanent or temporary. 2. Location Longford County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidates 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. 3. Commencement Longford 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 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, Longford County Council shall not appoint them. 4. Working Hours The current working hours are 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Longford County Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time in line with Government Circulars. 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. Longford County Council requires employees to record their hours using a Clocking system. 5. Reporting Arrangements Executive Scientist report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Longford County Council as the Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct. 6. Probationary Period of Employment There shall be a period after appointment during which the appointee will hold the position on probation. The period of probation will be prescribed by the Chief Executive Employment may be terminated during the probationary period should service be deemed by the Chief Executive to be unsatisfactory. Employment may be terminated at the end of the probationary period unless the Chief Executive has certified that the employee had satisfactory service. Tenure of employment following probation will be subject to satisfactory service. 7. Remuneration The current salary scale for the post of Executive Scientist is €57,909 - €80,498 LSI 2 gross per annum (Circular EL 03/2024), the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Circulars. On appointment successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history. Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employees 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. 8. Superannuation & Retirement A person who becomes a pensionable employee of the County Council will be required in respect of their Superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the appropriate rate. The terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 as amended or the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 or the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme & Other Provisions) Act 2012 will apply as appropriate on appointment. Retirement age for employees is dependent on their relevant contract of employment, with due consideration being given to the rules of the Superannuation Scheme to which they belong.

• For appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 65 years of age. • The minimum retirement age for “new entrants” to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age. • Effective from 1st January, 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all firsttime 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: Candidate Information Booklet - Executive Scientist 2024 Longford County Council ES/1124 Page 9 - Retirement age is set, initially, at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the State Pension Contributory (SPC) age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028. - Compulsory retirement age will be 70. 9. Annual Leave The current annual leave entitlement for Executive Scientist is 30 days per annum, in accordance with the Council’s Annual Leave Policy. The Chief Executive of Longford 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.