CARLOW COUNTY COUNCIL Candidate Information Booklet

CO-ORDINATOR - HEALTHY CARLOW (GRADE V) PART TIME (26 HR/3.5 DAY WEEK) FIXED TERM CONTRACT TO 30TH JUNE 2021

DETAILS OF QUALIFICATIONS AND PARTICULARS CLOSING DATE: Completed Applications should be returned to:

Human Resources Department Carlow County Council County Offices, Athy Road, Carlow.

On or before the closing date of Wednesday, 9th October 2019

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Co-Ordinator – Healthy Carlow (Grade V) Part Time (26 Hr/3.5 Day Week) Fixed Term Contract to 30th June 2021

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. Education, Training, Experience etc. Candidates shall on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the office:

(a) have a third level qualification (to degree level) in a relevant discipline – e.g. health promotion, education, community development, public health, social care (b) have at least 3 years’ experience working in a leadership role in the community, local development or health promotion sectors (c) have a background of considerable experience in community development, social sciences or in other fields where social relationships are of utmost importance (d) have the ability to communicate well and handle difficult situations with tact and good judgement (e) be able to consult and network effectively with different organisations (f) have ability to monitor and evaluate work and excellent report writing skills (g) have sound administrative and organisational skills (h) be able to produce and access information efficiently and accurately (i) have excellent communications, presentation and facilitation skills (j) have ability to advise, inform, motivate and support individuals and organisations (k) have an excellent working knowledge of word processing and data processing programmes and experience of communicating through social media (l) have ability to produce good quality publicity material (m) have a self-motivated approach to work (n) have an awareness of the role and importance of co-ordinated and integrated inter-agency responses to local health, social, community development and economic needs

4. Transport A full clean driving licence and use of personal transport for work is required

The Role The Healthy Carlow co-ordinator is responsible for working with and supporting community and voluntary groups to help address and respond to local community health and well-being needs. The main duties for the position include but are not limited to the following:

• co- ordinating and have oversight of the approved Programme of work/activities under Carlow Round Strand 3 Healthy Ireland Fund, including co-ordination and liaison with action partners to ensure adherence to funding requirements on actions/activities agreed • engaging with partners to ensure they are aware of reporting requirements • leading the implementation of the Healthy Carlow County Plan 2018-2021 • building effective partnerships with key stakeholders internal and external to ensure that the Healthy Ireland agenda is taken into consideration in the planning, design and implementation of local plans, programmes and initiatives • collaborating to influence policy decisions which impact on health e.g. Healthy Ireland Framework and Health 2020 • establishing and raising the profile of Healthy Carlow • convening and supporting the LCDC Healthy Carlow Sub-Group to implement actions • compiling and providing regular progress reports and documentation to the Healthy Carlow LCDC Sub Group, the LCDC and Pobal • undertaking other roles and responsibilities as directed • any other duties that may be assigned

The Ideal Candidate shall have: • a third level qualification (to degree level) in a relevant discipline – e.g. health promotion, education, community development, public health, social care and at least 3 years’ experience working in a leadership role in the community, local development or health promotion sectors • proficiency in coordinating the development and delivery of approved Healthy Carlow programme of work • the ability to collaborate and work in partnership with all relevant stakeholders (internal & external) • the ability to manage and prioritise time sensitive projects simultaneously • the ability to coordinate and lead the implementation of the Healthy Carlow County Plan • a knowledge of the social determinants to health, principles of community development, how the community and voluntary sector functions within the community and the role of the local authority and the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in health promotion • the ability to identify health promotion strategies based on knowledge derived from theory, evidence and practice • a constructive and progressive attitude to working as part of the Community Development Team and an ability to develop partnerships with the wider community and with other organisations active in the County • the ability to manage a budget, ensure prompt payments and provide financial reports • the ability to manage, record, evaluate actions and provide reports in a timely manner • excellent verbal and written communication skills, social media and presentation skills • strong leadership and inter-personal skills • excellent skills in information technology

The office is part time – 26 hours/3.5 days per week - on a fixed term contract to June 2021.

1. SALARY: €29,944 per annum which is 26/37th of the 1st point of the Staff Officer salary scale

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to Carlow County Council any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of service which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

2. DUTIES: The duties shall be such as shall be assigned by the local authority from time to time and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority when required. The duties shall also include such duties as may be assigned in relation to the area of any other local authority.

The Healthy Carlow Co-ordinator, under the direction of the Director of Services or such officer of the Council as may be designated from time to time, will work on community activities as required and in compliance with the Healthy Carlow County Plan 2018-2021 and County Carlow 2021 Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2021 and County Strategy policies.

In particular, the Healthy Carlow Co-ordinator’s duties may include organising and carrying out surveys of local health 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 value of community activities, canvassing from door to door, organising, addressing or presiding at meetings and maintaining close contact between the Local Community Development Committee and other statutory and voluntary agencies.

3. WORKING HOURS: The post entails a wide range of duties which require maximum flexibility and will be based on a 26 hour week, involving evening and weekend attendance, where necessary. Time in lieu will be given for out of hours work on a time for time basis. Carlow County Council operate a flexi time system.

4. PROBATION: Where a person is appointed to Carlow County Council, the following provisions shall apply -

(a) there shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation; (b) such period shall be six months, but the Chief Executive may, at his/her discretion, extend such period; (c) such a person shall 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; (d) the period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks’ notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts; (e) there will be assessment(s) during the probationary period; (f) Officers who have already completed a probationary period with another Local Authority will not be obliged to serve probation with Carlow County Council. 5. RESIDENCE: Holders of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof, as determined by Carlow County Council.

6. TRAVEL: When required to do so, holder of the post must hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. If the you are required to travel as part of your duties, Carlow County Council as your employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Departmental Circulars and Carlow County Council’s Travel and Subsistence Policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

7. HEALTH: For the purpose satisfying the requirements as to health, it will be necessary for the successful candidate, before they are appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.

8. ANNUAL LEAVE: Annual leave entitlement for the position of Healthy Carlow Co-ordinator is 21 days (30 days pro rata) per annum in accordance with Department of Environment, Community and Local Government Circular LG(P) 07/2011.

9. SICK LEAVE: The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

10. SUPERANNUATION: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012: New members joining the Public Sector on or after 1st January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. The Single Scheme applies to all pensionable first-time 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. In each pay period an amount equivalent to 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration PLUS 3% of pensionable remuneration will be deducted as the member’s contribution under the Scheme. This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme.

Persons who commenced Public Sector Employment prior to 1st January 2013: Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children). Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

11. RETIREMENT: There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. Retirement age 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.

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 70 years of age.

The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

12. 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.

13. GARDA VETTING: The successful candidate will be subject to Garda Vetting.

14. RECRUITMENT: Shortlisting: Shortlisting of applications may take place if the number of applications received for a position exceeds that required to fill existing and future vacancies to the position. While a candidate may meet the eligibility requirements of the competition, if the numbers applying for the position are such that it would not be practical to interview everyone, Carlow County Council may decide that a number only will be invited to same. In this respect, Carlow County Council will implement a shortlisting process to select a group of candidates for interview who, based on an examination of the application forms, appear to be the most suitable for the position based on the specific competencies identified in the job description. An expert board will examine the application forms against pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position. This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates, who based on their application, appear to be better qualified and/or have more relevant experience. It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your relevant qualifications/ experience on the application form and also to demonstrate sufficient evidence of the competencies required for this position. On occasion a shortlisting interview may take place.

Competitive Interview: Selection will be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of the local authority. The number of persons to be invited shall be determined by the Local Authority having regard to the likely number of vacancies to be filled. Candidates will be required to pay any expenses incurred by them in attending the interview.

A panel may be formed on the basis of such interview. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the local authority 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.

The County Council will not be responsible for any expenses a candidate may incur in attending for interview.

Appointment will also not proceed without the Local Authority obtaining two satisfactory references at least one of which must be from an employer. The said employer must not be related to the applicant.

Any canvassing on behalf of the candidate will automatically disqualify that candidate.

Taking Up Appointment: The local authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of four weeks and if he/she fails to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint him/her.

DATA PROTECTION: All of the information you provide during the process will only be used for the purpose of progressing your application, or to fulfil legal or regulatory requirements if necessary.

We will not share any of the information you provide during the recruitment process with any third parties for marketing purposes or store any of your information outside of the European Economic Area. The information you provide will be held securely by us and/or our data processors whether the information is in electronic or physical format.

We will use the contact details you provide to us to contact you to progress your application. We will use the other information you provide to assess your suitability for the role you have applied for.

Carlow County Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer