Community Officer

SDCC is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will automatically disqualify.

Opportunity starts here
Come to SDCC to do your greatest work. We're forward-thinking and focused on diversity, inclusion and community. As an equal opportunities employer, we're opening the doors to new careers, creating flexible ways of working and putting people at the heart of everything we do.

We're the people responsible for local government in South Dublin County. Aside from the exciting range of opportunities to make a real difference in your community, SDCC is a great place to work. Working with us will give you the opportunity to gain experience at the heart of local government and to develop your career in a diverse work environment.

At SDCC we provide plenty of opportunity for career progression with structured training, personal development, coaching and mentoring. We offer flexible working including blended working arrangements and a positive work environment. Read our accompanying Employee Value Proposition to find out more.

Welcome to a team that's making a difference powered by people like you.

Applications
Applications will only be accepted through SDCC's e‑Recruitment system before midnight on Thursday, 4th December 2025.

The Role
SDCC is seeking a passionate, community-focused individual to join our Community Development Team. As a Community Officer, you will work with and support community and voluntary groups to help address and respond to local community needs, with a particular focus on marginalised communities who experience social exclusion, economic disadvantage and/or discrimination. Reporting to the Area Community Officer, key responsibilities include identifying community needs, facilitating participation in programmes, developing partnerships, managing projects and reporting on progress. This role often involves community outreach and requires strong facilitation and communication skills to encourage self‑help and social change.

We value diversity, inclusion, and personal growth, and offer structured training, flexible working and a supportive environment. The office is whole‑time, 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 Community Officer will be an employee of the Local Authority and subject to re‑assignment to an analogous post in terms of role and duties within the Community Directorate.

Salary
€51,722 – €59,967 (1st LS1) – €61,865 (2nd LS1).

Hours of Work
Successful candidates normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. The position will involve activity outside normal working hours. Additional remuneration will not be payable in respect of evening or weekend work (including bank and public holidays). Time off in lieu at normal working rates will be granted at the convenience of the Council in respect of extra hours worked. A set day or time for taking such time off will not be permitted. 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.

Qualifications
Character

Candidates will be of good character.

Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health such that a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service is indicated.

Essential Education, Training and Experience – Each candidate must have

Attained a good standard of general education in a relevant area.

A minimum of three years experience in community development or related area.

Knowledge of the principles of community development, how the community and voluntary sector functions within the community and the role of the local authority in community development.

Experience of developing coordinated and integrated inter‑agency responses to local social, community development and economic needs.

Experience of implementing and monitoring good governance within the community sector.

Experience in project management, report writing and evaluation.

Have the ability to handle difficult situations with empathy, tact and good judgement.

The ability to consult and network effectively with different organisations.

Excellent communication, presentation and facilitation skills using appropriate technologies.

A self‑motivated approach to work.

A positive outlook and enjoy working with people.

A full clean driving licence and use of personal transport for work is required. Willingness and ability to travel is required.

Desirable Education, Training and Experience

A third level qualification in Community Development, a Social Science or a related discipline.

Key Competencies / Skills

Delivering results

Performance through People

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.

Duties

The Community Officer is responsible for working with, and supporting community and voluntary groups, to address and respond to identified local community needs.

They will represent the Council both on relevant local committees and at a range of different meetings as and when required.

They will promote a range of community development programmes and initiatives administered by the Council and will encourage local communities to actively participate within these.

The Community Officer is part of a multidisciplinary team delivering evidence‑based responses to improve the quality of life for residents living in the county.

The Community Officer works well in a team and has an in‑depth understanding of the barriers to social inclusion and civic participation, developing key responses as required.

Organising and compiling surveys of local needs.

Establishing and maintaining close contact in an advisory role with voluntary groups and local associations.

Assisting in the carrying out of special community projects.

Assessing the value of community activities.

Canvassing from door to door. Active Community Engagement.

Organising, addressing or presiding at meetings.

Maintaining close contact between the Council and other statutory and voluntary agencies.

Represent the Council in a formal capacity on statutory boards and companies (whether as a Director or not).

Why work in Local Government?

Make a meaningful impact in local communities.

Enjoy structured career development and training.

Benefit from flexible working arrangements and a supportive team.

Additional Information Booklet: SDCC is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will automatically disqualify.

Recruitment
Selection will be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of SDCC. We conduct interviews face to face or online through Microsoft Teams and this will be decided by SDCC. SDCC will not be responsible for any expenses a candidate may incur in attending an interview. Applicants should be prepared for interview any time after the closing date. A candidate who does not attend for interview when and where required by the Council will have no further claim to consideration. Interview results will be available on our website.

Rolling Recruitment
Only applications received electronically through the Council’s e‑Recruitment system will be accepted. South Dublin County Council applies rolling recruitment to fill some critical posts. The nature of rolling recruitment is that there is no closing date. This allows us to capture as many applicants as possible to fill these posts on an ongoing basis. Competitions which are subject to rolling recruitment will close temporarily at short notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received. Shortlisted applicants will be brought forward for interview to fill existing vacancies, and the competition will be re‑opened to new applications when required. Competitions that operate on a rolling basis will be clearly indicated in the advertisement. It is in your best interest, therefore, to submit your application as soon as possible.

Shortlisting
SDCC reserves its right to shortlist applications. Shortlisting may include desktop shortlisting and / or preliminary interviews. Shortlisting will be on the basis of information supplied on the application form and the likely number of vacancies to be filled. For this reason, you should provide a detailed and accurate account of your qualifications and experience on the application form and ensure you fully complete the competency questions where applicable.

Panels
A panel may be formed on the basis of such interviews. The life of the panel will be for a period of one year from the date of its formation. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the Council that they possess the qualifications declared for the post and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may, within the life of the panel, be appointed as appropriate vacancies arise.

Acceptance of Offer
SDCC will require persons to whom appointments are offered to take up such appointments within a reasonable period as determined by SDCC. If they fail to take up appointment within such period or such longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, the Council will not appoint them.

Pre‑Employment Checks
For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner. Appointment will not proceed without SDCC obtaining two satisfactory references from responsible persons known to but not related to the candidate. A responsible person should be a person under whom the candidate has serviced in employment, or in the case of relevant voluntary work a person who has held a supervisory position. At least one of references must be from a current employer. Garda Vetting will be sought prior to appointment in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau Act 2012‑2016. A candidate who is found to be ineligible at any stage of the competition will not be further considered. Provision of inaccurate, untrue, or misleading information will lead to disqualification from the competition, withdrawal of employment or dismissal.

Citizenship
Candidates must, by the date of submission of application form, have a Critical Skills Employment Permit (stamp 1G). Candidates should ensure that the post they are applying for is included in the Critical Skills Occupations List.

Non‑Critical Skills Occupations:

Citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

Citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

Citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

Non‑EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

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

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.

In the case of relief positions advertised by the Council, a person awarded a stamp 2 Visa (student visa) is allowed to work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week.

Blended Working
SDCC is committed to supporting a flexible and balanced working environment. In line with this commitment, we operate a Blended Working Policy in accordance with the provisions of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Successful candidates may apply to work remotely up to two days per week, provided that the role is deemed suitable for blended working. Applications for blended working arrangements will be considered in line with operational requirements and the needs of the service. Please note that blended working arrangements cannot commence until six months of continuous employment have been completed.

Probation
Where a person is appointed to South Dublin County Council, the following provisions will apply: After appointment, there will be a period after appointment taking effect, during which such a person will hold the position on probation. Such period will be one year, but the Chief Executive may, at this discretion, extend such period. Such a person will cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory. The period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one week's notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts. There will be assessment(s) during the probationary period. Officers who have already completed a probationary period with another Local Authority will not be obliged to serve probation with South Dublin County Council.

Salary / Wages
Entry point to a salary/wages scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

Residence
Holders of the office will reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof, as determined by South Dublin County Council.

Outside Employment
Employees may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Superannuation Contribution
Provisions of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 may apply. Persons who become pensionable officers which are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority. Persons who become pensionable officers which are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

Rates and Thresholds
Local Government Superannuation Scheme members:

€0.00 to €34,500 – 0%

€34,500 to €60,000 – 10%

Over €60,000 – 10.5%

Single Public Sector Pension Scheme members:

€0.00 to €34,500 – 0%

€34,500 to €60,000 – 3.33%

Over €60,000 – 3.5%

Retirement Age
There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. Anyone who is not a new entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 65 years or as determined in accordance with Department Circulars and in line with Government Policy. The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years. The Council may refer staff to a medical advisor at any time to determine fitness for carrying out the duties to which they have been assigned.

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 debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

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