Executive Environmental Scientific Officer

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Specified Purpose Contract

Aside from the exciting range of opportunities to make a real difference to your community and county, South Dublin County Council is a great place to work and for many people already provides an attractive career and working environment. Working for South Dublin County Council will give you the opportunity to gain experience at the heart of local government and to develop your career in a diverse work environment. We recognise the value of our employees, can offer a diverse range of job and career options, can provide plenty of scope for career progression and can provide structured training and personal development. We also offer flexible working arrangements including blended working arrangements, a positive work environment, training and development opportunities, a defined career path and the opportunity to make a difference.

The role

South Dublin County Council provides a broad range of services to a population of 280,000 people on a daily basis. Under the direction and supervision of the appropriate line manager, the position involves the provision of such engineering or ancillary services as may be required by the Council in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties.

The employment is temporary, whole-time and pensionable. A specific purpose contract will apply. Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the South Dublin administrative area.

Salary
€59,067 - €82,108 (LSI2)

Hours of Work
The successful candidate's normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. The Council reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time.

Annual Leave
Annual leave entitlement for this position is 30 days.

Only applications received electronically through the Council's e-Recruitment system will be accepted and must be received no later than midnight on Thursday, 10th April 2025.

Qualifications

Character
Candidates will be of good character.

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.

Essential Education, Training, Experience

• Hold an honours degree (level eight in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Science.
• Have at least two years satisfactory experience of scientific work.
• Possess a high standard of technical training and experience.
• Hold a full driving license, Category B, free from endorsement as they may be required to drive in the course of their duties.

Desirable Education, Training, Experience

• Hold an honours degree (level eight in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Science, with chemistry or microbiology or Agricultural Science as a core subject.
• Have at least two years satisfactory experience of scientific work in environmental and natural water protection.
• Possess a high standard of technical training and experience in areas such as air & noise pollution control, waste enforcement and water quality & pollution management.
• Possess a good knowledge and previous work experience in the following Environmental Protection Legislation:
  • Catchment management
  • Water Framework Directive monitoring
  • Water pollution legislation
  • Drinking water regulations
  • Waste Management Act and associated legislation
  • Environmental inspection and sampling techniques including but not limited to those listed in the council's annual Recommended Minimum Criteria Environmental Inspection (RMCEI) Plans.
• Be capable of working on their own initiative.
• Have the ability to work within and manage a multidisciplinary team.
• Possess good interpersonal and communications skills (written and oral) and have the ability to engage with a wide range of people.
• Possess strong organisation skills.
• Possess good IT skills.
• Have a good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety legislation and regulations.
• Demonstrate a good technical knowledge of environmental protection legislation.
• Demonstrates good judgement, problem-solving and decision-making skills and an ability to analyse data and formulate recommendations.
• Have good financial/budgetary skills.
• Have a good understanding of Local Government policy, issues, initiatives and services.

Key Competencies / Skills

• Management and change
• Delivering results
• Performance management
• Personal effectiveness
• Local government knowledge and understanding

Candidates are requested to give an example of a situation which highlights the behaviour, skills and attitude that underpin effective performance in these areas, and which demonstrates their suitability to meet the challenges of this role. Candidates should ensure the example used clearly demonstrates their ability in this area and that the scale and scope of the example given is appropriate to the post and level of the post.

Duties
The duties include, but are not limited to the following:
The Executive Environmental Scientific Officer will work and manage a team in the delivery of the council's statutory responsibility in the protection of the environment. This includes the monitoring, compliance, investigation and enforcement of critical legislation in the protection of water bodies, monitoring of air quality, noise monitoring and the control of waste management activities.

The Executive Environmental Scientific Officer will be responsible for the development and delivery of annual inspection programmes. The inspection programme will be completed by Executive Environmental Scientific Officer and by his/her multi-disciplinary team, that will include the following duties:

• Assist in the development of the council's annual RMCEI plan, incorporating national and local priorities with measurable deliverables that will provide an impact on the local environment.
• Perform actions to meet measures under the River Basin Management plan.
• Assign and manage work to the inspection team.
• Respond to water pollution incidents, ensure resolution of incidents and close out these incidents.
• Perform statutory septic tank inspections as per direction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and as set out under the National Inspection Plan.
• Use of Council, EPA and other relevant authorities' software and mobile applications for the uploading of inspection findings such as septic tank inspection, farm inspections and pollution incident.
• Perform farm inspections and cross-compliance report of offending farms as required by the EU (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2017.
• In accordance with the National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP), SDCC Assistant Scientist will be required to manage the implementation of in person inspections and all associated regulatory actions related to EU (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2017, in the administrative areas of Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and South Dublin County Council.
• Perform taking-in-charge inspections of new developments, as a means of preventing pollution and reducing costs for the Council.
• Review planning applications for water quality issues and compliance.
• Review planning applications and associated site-specific resource & waste management plans for construction & demolition projects, to minimise waste generated on site and ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
• In accordance with Regulation 27 (by-product) and Regulation 28 (end of waste), complete appropriate assessment and inspections, with the view to utilise materials as a resource and minimise extraction of additional natural resources.
• Respond to pollution reports and complaints and provide necessary reporting.
• Oversee the statutory river sampling schedule and ensure this is completed to a high standard.
• Carry out inspections of facilities in accordance with relevant waste/environmental protection legislation to ensure compliance in areas such as, but not limited to, the segregation and disposal of waste, WEEE recycling, packaging regulations, plastic bag levy, disposal of batteries, disposal of tyres.
• Assist in the processing of licence applications and subsequent management of authorised waste facilities and waste collection operators.
• In accordance with relevant waste and environment protection legislation, issue enforcement notices, issue Fix Penalty Notices, prepare files for enforcement action, attend and represent the Council in court legal proceedings and give evidence in prosecutions as required.
• Carry out inspections and follow-up actions as required to ensure the council delivery of the Annual RMCEI plan.
• Carry out actions to assist in the delivery of the council's Climate Action Plan.
• Carry out health and safety duties of the section including Toolbox Talks, draft risk assessments, and spot checks in the field.
• Supervise staff and ensure compliance with the health and safety standards of the Water Pollution Section and the Council.
• The Executive Environmental Scientific Officer will also be required to prepare Request for Quotations for purchase of services and works in accordance with the council's procurement policies.

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.

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