Energy Officer

Energy Officer 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. Everything you need to know about South Dublin County Council Therole The local authorities have an important role in the delivery of climate mitigation and adaption, which is reflected at National level in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, where each local authority is required to prepare and implement a Local Authority (LA) Climate Action Plan, to ensure a coherent approach to climate action across the administrative and political structures of local authorities in Ireland. As part of the LA Climate Action Plan, each LA is responsible for driving actions in relation to the targets set out for greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency, in both the LAs own remit and assets and infrastructure, and in influencing and facilitating actions with the LA area. Energy Efficiency across the public sector in Ireland is essential. Targets are set through Irelands EU and National commitments and through our wider climate action goals. Under the National Climate Action Plan 2023 and as signatories to the Climate Action Charter for Local Authorities, SDCC has committed to a new target of 50% improvement in energy efficiency by 2030, in line with national targets outlined in the Government of Irelands Climate Plan 2021 (Securing our Future). As a signatory to the EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy since 2018, this Council has voluntarily committed to reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and become a more climate resilient region. The Programme for Government presented in 2020, outlines an ambition to reduce national carbon emissions by 7% each year with a minimum reduction of 51% by the end of the decade (compared with 2018 levels), and to be carbon neutral by 2050. [...] Climate Action Plan 2024 2029,which are framed by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and the National Climate Action Plan 2023. Through four key targets, this Plan defines how SDCC continuously improves its energy efficiency profile and reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with its own buildings and operations, while making the functional area more adaptive to the impacts of future climate change. 50%improvementintheCouncilsenergyefficiencyby2030; 51%reductionintheCouncilsgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsby2030; TomakeDublinaclimateresilientregion,byreducingtheimpactsoffutureclimate change-related events; and To actively engage and inform our communities on climate action The role of the Energy Officer is to work as part of Climate Action Team and lead the Energy Management Team in South Dublin County Council with the overall goal to achieve the required improvements in energy efficiency, and reductions in energy consumption and green gas emissions. To achieve this, the council is in the process of applying for ISO 50001 Energy Management System accreditation and views the Energy Officer as critical role for the delivery and maintenance of this statutory requirement. The role will include delivering on the energy commitments in the Local Authority Climate Action Charter, and any other relevant agreements that South Dublin County Council may commit to. The long-term objective will be to set a path to net zero carbon for the County Council. The Energy Officer will be responsible for a range of projects and initiative to advance the Councils objectives for energy efficiency and emission reduction. The office is wholetime, permanent and pensionable. A panel will be formed to fill permanent and temporary vacancies. Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the South Dublin administrative area. The Council reserves the right to reassign the postholder to an equivalent post at its discretion. Salary €57,909-€60,017-€62,124-€64,235-€66,345-€68,454-€70,565-€72,663-€74,784- €76,887 - €79,311 (1stLS1) - €80,498 (2ndLSI). Hours of Work Thesuccessfulcandidatesnormalhoursofworkwillbe 35hoursperweek. 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 Councils e-Recruitment system will be accepted and must be received no later than midnight on Thursday, 20thFebruary 2025 Qualifications Character Candidateswillbeofgoodcharacter. Health [...] to render regularand efficient service. Essential Education, training, experience Eachcandidatemust,onthelatestdateforreceiptofcompletedapplicationforms: 1.Hold an honours degree (level eight in the National Framework of Qualifications) in [...] or equivalent. [...] energy management experience. 3. Possess a high standard of technical training and experience and demonstrate a record of excellent project management skills resulting in successful outcomes, simultaneously managing and coordinating multiple projects of differing scale, nature and complexity, bringing them to conclusion on time and budget. 4.Possess a high standard of administrative experience. 5. Possess team management and coordination experience, demonstrating a successful track record in managing and motivating staff. 6. Have satisfactory knowledge of local authority operations and an understanding of local authority responsibilities in relation to energy efficiency and carbon reduction and climate action. 7.Have excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills. Desirable Education, training, experience 1. Demonstrate knowledge and experience in climate action adaption and mitigation, with an understanding of climate action policy at national, regional and local levels and the targets set for emission reductions and energy efficiency improvements. 2. Demonstrate robust knowledge of ISO 50001, Monitoring and Reporting and accountability for delivering on climate action targets. 3. Have a knowledge of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and associated energy efficiency campaigns and funding / grant schemes. 4. Demonstrate a high level of technical knowledge and experience in project delivery on time and on budget and competence in contract management. 5. Have a good knowledge of building construction, types of heating systems energy management systems 6.Have experience of building strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels and be capable of working in close collaboration with key partners and in seeking cooperation and consensus with a range of bodies and representative groups. 7. Have good communication skills and be experienced in meeting regularly with stakeholders, providing updates, presentations and reports, taking feedback and ensuring any learning is used to enhance the operations of the organisation. 8. Have technical report writing skills and ability to communicate findings to a non- technical audience. 9. Have good problem-solving skills and have experience in contributing to the operations and strategic planning processes and in the implementation of the agreed aims. 10. Have competency in the area of information technology (IT). 11.GoodknowledgeofthestatutoryobligationsofHealthandSafetylegislation,and their application in the workplace. 12. An understanding of local authority services and structures or have the ability to quickly acquire same. Key competencies / skills ManagementandChange DeliveringResults Performancemanagement Personaleffectiveness 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 Thedutiesinclude,butare notlimitedtothefollowing: LeadthecouncilsEnergyManagementteam,todeliveronenergy/emissiontargets and objectives including: Developing and maintaining relationships with key Significant Energy Users within the local authority and developing a knowledge of their activities and energy/emissionprojectneedsandprovidingadviceinthedeliveryofprojects. Workingwithalllocalauthoritydepartmentsandcollaboratingwithothersasis necessary to ensure deadlines are met and any barriers to deadlines are highlighted early. Identify and manage the delivery of opportunities for necessary energy improvementsrequiredaspartoftheISO50001EnergyManagementSystem. Assist in the development and implementation of best practice and policy changestoassistthecouncilachieveallaspectsofenergyrelatedtargets. Working with CoDEMA, CARO, SEAI, Local Authorities and other state agencies to build effective relationships. Maintaingoodknowledgeinrelationtochanges,inEUandNationallegislationsuchas Energy Performance in Building Directive, Energy Efficiency Directive and Clean Vehicles Directive, relating to the impact on councils operations. AssisttheClimateActionTeaminthedeliveryofenergyrelatedprojects,toensurethe council meets its statutory obligations as a building owner, occupier and or tenant. LeadintheimplementationandmanagementofISO50001EnergyManagement System, including: ConveningenergydedicatedmeetingsandworkshopswithSignificantEnergy Users (SEU) owners in each of the relevant local authority departments. GeneratingenergyperformancereportsforSEUsinlinewithISO50001 requirements. Ensureallnecessaryandstatutorymonitoringand reportingrelatedtothe council energy consumption is maintained and submitted as required. Identify and manage the delivery of energy and emission saving projects that can be evaluated by the Energy Team and incorporated into the Energy and Emission Investment Strategy 2030, a Register of Opportunities and Annual Action Plans. Monitorandreportonrequirementsforthelocalauthoritywhichinvolves: Managing/assistinginthemaintenanceofMonitoringandReportingdatabase for SEAI (Meter Point Reference Numbers (MPRNs), Gas Point Reference Numbers (GPRNs), Unmetered Public Lighting, Fleet fuel, othermachine fuels and so on). Supportinglocalauthoritydepartmentsincollectingandsortingofalldata annually to meet monitoring and reporting requirements. AnnualmonitoringandreportingtoSEAIanddataverification. Identificationofpotentialenergyefficiencyprojectsonanongoingbasis. Mentor local authority departments in ensuring all energy / emission statutory obligationsofthelocalauthorityaremet;MonitoringandReporting,DisplayEnergy Certificates (DECs), Non-Domestic Building Energy Ratings (ND-BERs), Building Audits, Organisational Audit, including: AssistinthegenerationofDECs(DisplayEnergyCertificates)forpublic buildings. Supportingthelocalauthorityinprioritiesandaddressingthegapsinmeeting their energy / emission statutory obligations. Assistand/orsupporttheprocurementofservicestocarryoutfeasibility studies and energy audits of local authority facilities. Assistintheimplementationofenergyefficiencyandemissionreduction measures across the local authority. Work as a key part of the Climate Action Team of the local authority to meet implementation and reporting commitments of the Covenant of Mayors and the delivery of energy, emission reductions and climate actions of the Local Authority Climate Action Plan. AssistinthedevelopmentandimplementationoftheDecarbonisingZones. CollaborationwiththeSDCCAdvisorinsupportingandleadingcommunitiesinthe development of Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC). Undertake any other duties as may be required to support the implementation of the local authoritys agenda on energy efficiency and emission reduction. The Energy Officer will operate under the direction of the Senior Engineer and the Director of Service of the section to which they are assigned, or any other person designated by the Director of Service. They must undertake those duties as assigned to them by their Supervisor. Notwithstanding the requirements of the post successful applicants may be assigned to any service area / role within the Local Authority at an analogous level by the Chief Executive at any time. These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.