Park Superintendent

The Role The Park Superintendent (Grade III) will be part of the professional team within National Historic Properties. Reporting to the Park Superintendent (Grade II), and ultimately the Chief Park Superintendent, the successful candidate will have input into the day-to-day management and projects in the parks, gardens and designed landscapes in their region.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Role The successful candidate will be engaged in a wide range of functions which will include some or all of the following: • Applying general and specialist landscape management & design, horticultural and landscape restoration knowledge to best effect; • Directing and supporting individuals and teams of outdoor staff in support of excellent service delivery and communicating effectively with key stakeholders; • Engaging collaboratively with the relevant managers dealing with the properties and projects within their remit; • Providing advice and appropriate professional support to relevant staff dealing with their assigned sites; • Managing the operational matters relating to the assigned portfolio; • Supporting the work undertaken by Heritage Services in relation to the broader portfolio; • Managing the PMDS and CPD requirements for assigned staff; • Ongoing personal commitment to CPD; • Being responsible for Health and Safety matters as relevant at locations within their remit

Vacancies and Locations There are currently vacancies in the Dublin region (based in Dublin Castle/ Phoenix Park) and one position in the regional offices in Cork / Kerry (Killarney). A panel will also be formed from this competition from which further vacancies that may arise may also be filled. Candidates are invited to indicate their preference(s) on the application webform for the locations in which they would be prepared to accept a position. Location choices should be numbered in order of preference. A candidate who is offered their first choice will only receive one offer from the panel. A candidate who is offered their second choice or lower and refuses this offer will remain in contention for an offer from location choice(s) numbered higher but only once a vacancy becomes available in that location and their position is reached. Please note that accepting a position in the location you are offered means you will be removed from consideration in all other locations you had expressed an interest in. It is not expected that appointments will be made from this panel after May 2026.

Working Environment The work is divided between field and office. The successful candidate will be based in a regional office with travelling to various sites envisaged. The OPW’s Blended Working Policy is developed and implemented in accordance with the Civil Service Blended Working Policy in line with business needs, with a commitment in a blended working environment to work office based and/or onsite for a minimum of 2 days per week (subject to Section Business needs). Appointees may apply for blended working following a successful probationary period.

Training and Development The OPW is committed to ensuring that all staff members are given the support and assistance required to realise their full potential within the organisation. OPW staff have access to a wide range of Civil Service wide learning and development opportunities, to support and develop core civil service competencies. Mentoring and specialist training will be provided along with facilitated attendance at Industry Conferences and workshops. Professional membership of the Irish Landscape Institute will be supported and mentoring to achieve Professional Practice Certificate will be provided. Access to specialist IT packages such as Adobe, Illustrator, Photoshop & Indesign is also available. Candidates must have on or before Thursday 18th of April 2024: 1. A qualification of at least level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (minimum 2nd Class honours) or a NARIC Ireland Foreign Qualifications equivalent in Horticulture or Landscape Architecture or a related discipline such as Forestry, Environmental Sciences, Woodland Ecology, Land Management or Garden History (Candidates who anticipate that they will be entitled to hold a qualification as outlined in Point 1 above by 1st August 2024 will also be considered*)

Candidates must also have: 2. A strong understanding and knowledge of the role of modern landscape management, horticulture, and restoration practices in the workplace, and the capacity to use such knowledge to optimum effect; 3. The ability to actively share information, knowledge and expertise; 4. Strong organisational skills with the ability to deal with multiple demands and competing priorities to tight deadlines; 5. The ability to supervise and direct staff in an operational environment; 6. A commitment to achieving quality results and ensuring all tasks are completed to a very high standard; 7. The ability to deal with issues of a technical and/or management nature with a practical approach; 8. Good IT skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; 9. Strong interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to build effective working relationships within a multidisciplinary team, and with a diverse range of stakeholders both internally and externally;

In addition to the above, candidates must also be able to demonstrate the Key Competencies identified for effective performance at this level (detailed overleaf).

Desirable • Experience in the management of staff, work programmes and services including allocating/delegating and/or overseeing tasks • Experience in historical research, conservation management plans, garden restoration, organic accreditation, plant collections, and biodiversity • Experience of horticulture/ landscape management including experience in the management of parks, gardens & designed landscapes • Experience in the use of GIS & IT Packages • Experience in the planning and delivery of projects including landscape/horticultural projects to include budget oversight, timelines, and the management of external stakeholders • Experience in lecturing and publications • Experience in the application of Health & Safety Legislation and Regulations in the workplace • A current full driving licence (minimum Category B & W) and/or access to a car.

Candidates should note that the admission to a competition does not imply that the Public Appointments Service is satisfied that they fulfil the essential entry requirements. Therefore, the onus is on the candidate to ensure that they meet the essential entry requirements prior to submitting their application. ELIGIBILITY TO COMPETE AND CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON ELIGIBILITY Citizenship Requirement Eligible Candidates must be: (a) A citizen of the European Economic Area. 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 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 Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa

*Please note that a 50 TEU visa, which is a replacement for Stamp 4EUFAM after Brexit, is acceptable as a Stamp 4 equivalent To qualify candidates must meet one of the citizenship criteria above by the date of any job offer. Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform letter dated 28th June 2012 to Personnel Officers introduced, with effect from 1st June 2012, a Collective Agreement which had been reached between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Services Committee of the ICTU in relation to ex-gratia Redundancy Payments to Public Servants. It is a condition of the Collective Agreement that persons availing of the agreement will not be eligible for re-employment in the Public Service by any Public Service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 – 2011) for a period of 2 years from termination of the employment. People who availed of this scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility). Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees, under that Scheme, are not eligible to apply for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

Department of Health and Children Circular (7/2010) The Department of Health Circular 7/2010 dated 1 November 2010 introduced a Targeted Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) Scheme and Voluntary Redundancy Schemes (VRS). It is a condition of the VER scheme that persons availing of the scheme will not be eligible for re-employment in the public health sector or in the wider Public Service or in a body wholly or mainly funded from public moneys. The same prohibition on re-employment applies under the VRS, except that the prohibition is for a period of 7 years. People who availed of the VER scheme are not eligible to compete in this competition. People who availed of the VRS scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility). Department of Environment, Community & Local Government (Circular Letter LG(P) 06/2013) The Department of Environment, Community & Local Government Circular Letter LG(P) 06/2013 introduced a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme for Local Authorities. In accordance with the terms of the Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants dated 28 June 2012 as detailed above, it is a specific condition of that VER Scheme that persons will not be eligible for re-employment in any Public Service body [as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 – 2011 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012] for a period of 2 years from their date of departure under this Scheme. These conditions also apply in the case of engagement/employment on a contract for service basis (either as a contractor or as an employee of a contractor).

Declaration Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of a Public Service scheme of incentivised early retirement. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Public Service employment and/or where they have received a payment-in-lieu in respect of service in any Public Service employment. Employer of Choice As an Employer of Choice the Civil Service has many flexible and family friendly policies e.g. Worksharing, Shorter Working Year, Remote Working (operated on a ‘blended’ basis) etc. All elective policies can be applied for in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions and are subject to the business needs of the organisation.

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE General The appointment is to a permanent post in the Civil Service and is subject to the Civil Service Regulations Acts 1956 to 2005, the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and any other Act for the time being in force relating to the Civil Service.

Salary The salary scale for this position with effect from 1st October 2023 is as follows: Personal Pension Contribution (PPC) €36,086, €38,558, €39,220, €42,519, €45,829, €49,139, €52,479, €54,575, €56,683, €58,807, €60,918, €63,036, €65,154, €67,264, €69,393, €71,745 (LSI1), €74,094 (LSI2)

The PPC pay rate applies when the individual is required to pay a Personal Pension Contribution (otherwise known as a main scheme contribution) in accordance with the rules of their main/personal superannuation scheme. This is different to a contribution in respect of membership of a Spouses’ and Children’s scheme, or the Additional Superannuation Contributions (ASC). A different rate will apply where the appointee is not required to make a Personal Pension Contribution. Long Service Increments may be payable after 3 years (LSI1) and 6 years (LSI2) satisfactory service at the maximum of the scale.

Important Note Entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if you are a currently serving civil or public servant. Subject to satisfactory performance, increments may be payable in line with current Government Policy. You will agree that any overpayment of salary, allowances, or expenses will be repaid by you in accordance with Circular 07/2018: Recovery of Salary, Allowances, and Expenses Overpayments made to Staff Members/Former Staff Members/Pensioners.

Tenure and Probation The appointment is to a permanent position on a probationary contract in the Civil Service. The probationary contract will be for a period of one year from the date of appointment. During the period of the probationary contract, an officer’s performance will be subject to review by the appropriate supervisor(s) to determine whether the officer:

(i) has performed in a satisfactory manner (ii) has been satisfactory in general conduct, and (iii) is suitable from the viewpoint of health with particular regard to sick leave. Prior to the completion of the probationary contract a decision will be made as to whether or not you will be retained pursuant to Section 5A (2) Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 – 2005. This decision will be based on your performance assessed against the criteria set out in (i) to (iii) above. The detail of the probationary process will be explained to you by the department/office and you will be given a copy of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s guidelines on probation. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs in this section, the probationary contract may be terminated at any time prior to the expiry of the term of the contract by either side in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 to 2005. In the following circumstances your contract may be extended and your probation period suspended: • The probationary period stands suspended when an employee is absent due to Maternity or Adoptive Leave • In relation to an employee absent on Parental Leave or Carers Leave, the employer may require probation to be suspended if the absence is not considered to be consistent with the continuation of the probation • Probation may be suspended in cases such as absence due to a non-recurring illness, and • Any other statutory provision providing that probation shall - (i) stand suspended during an employee’s absence from work, and (ii) be completed by the employee on the employees return from work after such absence. Where probation is suspended the employer should notify the employee of the circumstances relating to the suspension. All appointees will serve a one-year probationary period. If an appointee who fails to satisfy the conditions of probation has been a serving civil servant immediately prior to their appointment from this competition, the issue of reversion will normally arise. In the event of reversion, an officer will return to a vacancy in their former grade in their former Department. Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977-2015 The Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977-2015 will not apply to the termination of your employment by reason only of the expiry of this probationary contract without it being renewed.

Duties You will be required to perform any duties appropriate to your grade which may be assigned to you.

Outside Employment The position will be whole time and the appointee may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business, which conflicts in any way with their official duties, impairs performance or compromises their integrity.

Headquarters An officer’s headquarters will be such as may be designated from time to time by the Head of the Department/Office. When absent from home and headquarters on duty, appropriate travelling expenses and subsistence allowances will be paid, subject to the normal Civil Service regulations. The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 The terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 will apply to your employment and the hours of attendance and leave entitlements that will apply is outlined below.

Hours of attendance Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 41 hours 15 minutes gross or 35 hours net per week. No additional payment will be made for extra attendance (over and above 41 hours 15 minutes gross or 35 hours net per week) as the rate of remuneration payable covers any exceptional extra attendance liability that may arise from time to time.

Annual Leave The annual leave is 25 working days a year, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 30 days after 10 years. This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in the civil service, is based on a five day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

Sick Leave Pay during properly certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent disability for service, will apply on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the sick leave Circulars. Officers who will be paying Class A rate of PRSI will be required to sign a mandate authorising the Department of Social Protection to pay any benefits due under the Social Welfare Acts directly to the employing Department or Organisation. Payment during illness will be subject to the officer making the necessary claims for social insurance benefit to the Department of Social Protection within the required time limits