Comhairle Chontae Mhaigh Eo s1

EXECUTIVE ARCHITECT PANEL

(OPEN COMPETITION)

QUALIFICATIONS

1. CHARACTER:

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. HEALTH:

Candidates shall 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:

(a)  hold a professional qualification in Architecture that is prescribed under the Building Control Act 2007, or a qualification in Architecture that is equivalent to a qualification so prescribed;

(b)  be eligible for registration as an Architect under the Building Control Act 2007 without requiring further assessment. Any appointment will be subject to registration under the Act;

(c)  have at least four years’ satisfactory experience of architectural work;

(d)  have experience in the design of buildings, the preparation of sketch plans, working drawings, details and specification; and

(e)  have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation.

Desirables:-

It is desirable that the successful candidate will demonstrate, through the completion of their application form and at the interview, that she/he:

•  Has a record of achievement in the design and management of large and varied construction projects;

•  Has an excellent understanding of the requirements of the building control process;

•  Has the skills and ability to establish working relationships with colleagues in the Council, public representatives and other agencies;

•  Has an excellent appreciation and understanding of quality urban design;

•  Is familiar with the use of the public works contracts;

•  Is familiar with national and EU procurement rules in relation to public works and works related professional services;

•  Is self motivated, decisive, has excellent problem solving skills, good judgement, excellent communication skills, and has excellent IT skills particularly in graphic presentation and associated AutoCAD skills.

Mayo County Council is an equal opportunities employer.

Tá an Comhairle tugtha do pholasaí comhionannais deiseanna.

EXECUTIVE ARCHITECT PANEL

(OPEN COMPETITION)

PARTICULARS OF THE POSITION

1.  POSITION

This panel will be used to fill permanent and temporary positions at this grade which may arise during the lifetime of the panel. This is a pensionable wholetime position on the basis of a 37 hour 5 day week.

2. SALARY:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the position shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than inclusive salary) payable to or received by such holder by virtue of the position or in respect of services, which are required by or under any enactment to perform.

SALARY SCALE

€47,732, €49,467, €51,204, €52,944, €54,684, €56,422, €58,162, €59,893, €61,639, €63,372, (maximum), €65,371 (after 3 years satisfactory service at maximum) - €65,675 (after 6 years satisfactory service at maximum).

The starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

3. DUTIES:

The duties of the employment are to give to:

(a)  Mayo County Council under the control of the Chief Executive or his nominee and

(b)  To any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority,

Under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an administrative, supervisory or management nature as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties, and to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him or her by the Chief Executive from time to time including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The holder of the employment will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level, if qualified to do so.

The successful candidate will be initially assigned to the Architects Department, which is aligned to the Assets & Infrastructure Directorate with responsibility for designing, delivering and managing construction projects, planning and building compliance and other ancillary works required for the successful development of the County in the areas of, but not limited to, Housing, Building Control, Regeneration, Conservation, Public Realm, Urban Renewal and Amenity projects.

Duties include, but are not limited to;

• Assist with and act as project architect on a variety of capital related projects including civic offices, libraries, fire-stations and in the delivery of the current social housing programme.

- Assist also with the design of works to community and amenity facilities and Council buildings and other infrastructural improvements works that arise;

• When requested fulfill the duties of Project Supervisor for the design Process (PSDP) on behalf of Mayo County Council in accordance with the Health Safety & Welfare (Construction) Regulations 2006;

• When requested fulfill the duties of Design Certifier and or Assigned Certifier as required under the Building Control (amendment) Regulations 2014;

• Working with and managing Design Teams;

• Managing and supervising staff as required;

• Managing all aspects of construction from procurement to Final Account;

• Assist in identifying and agreeing work programmes, targets and deadlines and their subsequent implementation;

• Represent the County Council at a variety of meetings;

• Work effectively with the Elected Members and Council staff towards the successful and speedy implementation of designated projects;

• Prepare reports for the Council, committees of the Council, Central Government and other stakeholders;

• Assist in the preparation of budgets;

• Carry out any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

4. RESIDENCE:

Holders of the position shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

5. ANNUAL LEAVE:

Annual leave entitlement is 30 days per year.

6. TRAVEL:

Mayo County Council reserves the right to provide a van to enable you to carry out your duties. The provision of a van will be at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

7. SHORTLISTING:

Candidates may be shortlisted for interview on the basis of information supplied in their application. Where it is considered that it would be reasonable not to admit all applicants to the interview, by reason of the number of applications received and the standard of knowledge, training or experience in general of the candidates, only persons likely to attain at the interview a standard sufficient for selection and recommendation for appointment shall be called for interview.

8. RECRUITMENT:

i)  Selection shall be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of the Local Authority;

ii)  A panel may be formed on the basis of such interview to fill further vacancies that may arise.

Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the Local Authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the position and that they are otherwise suitable for employment may within the life of the panel be employed as appropriate vacancies arise. The life of the panel will not be more than one year from the date of its establishment.

The local authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month 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.

9. REFERENCES/DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE:

Each candidate will be required to submit as references the names and addresses of two responsible persons to whom he/she is well known but not related. Candidates will be required to submit documentary evidence to the Local Authority in support of their application.

10. SUPERANNUATION:

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 dependant 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 Childrens 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.

In order for a new entrant to the scheme to qualify for a pension, he/she must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority.

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from 01/01/2013 superannuation contributions are as follows:-

3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration.

Pension and retirement lump sum based on career-average pay; pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory (SPC).

11. RETIREMENT AGE:

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 65 years of age.

The minimum retirement age for “new entrants” to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age.

Effective from 1st January, 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new 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.

Retirement age is 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.

Compulsory retirement age will be 70.

12. BASE:

Assignment of base shall be at the absolute discretion of Mayo County Council.

13. REQUIREMENT TO DRIVE

Candidates shall be required to possess a full current category B Driving Licence without any endorsements.

14. PROBATION:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a Local Authority is employed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a)  there shall be a period after such employment takes effect during which such person shall hold such position on probation;

(b)  such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period;

(c)  such person will cease to hold such position at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person 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 may be assessment(s) during the probationary period.

15. MEDICALS:

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo at their expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority. On taking up appointment the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.

16. GARDA VETTING:

Offer of employment may be subject to a Garda vetting process. Failure to pass Garda vetting will result in employment being terminated with immediate effect.

17. OPTIONAL LANGUAGE TEST:

Candidates who indicate on their application form that they wish to have their knowledge of both the Irish language and the English language taken into consideration for the purposes of the competition shall have their knowledge of the language in which the competitive interview is conducted assessed at interview itself. Knowledge of the other language may be assessed by means of a separate language test or, at the discretion of the local authority, at the interview. A language test shall consist of conversation on ordinary topics and, to the extent that this may be appropriate, on matters relating to the duties of the office. A knowledge of unusual technical terms shall not be required.

NOTES:

Applicants are reminded that any attempt by themselves or by any persons acting on their behalf directly or indirectly by means of written communication or otherwise to canvass or otherwise influence in the applicants favour any employee of the County Council or persons nominated by the Chief Executive to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the applicant for the position they are seeking.

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