Comhairle Chontae Laoise
Laois County Council
CANDIDATE INFORMATION BOOKLET
Please read carefully
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST
Character
Candidates shall be of good character.
Health
Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Education, Experience, etc
Candidates shall, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms
a) Have satisfactory experience, in a technician post at Grade II or higher level or in an analogous post under a local authority or health board in the State;
b) have at least 5 years satisfactory relevant experience in a technician post at Grade II or higher level or an analogous post;
c) have a wide knowledge of all the technical aspects of local authority work and also a deeper knowledge of at least one section of the work;
d) possess adequate training and experience relating to dealings with other departments within their own organisations and with other bodies;
e) have adequate experience in the supervision and control of staff;
f) have an awareness of Health & Safety legislation and regulations, and their application in the workplace.
PARTICULARS OF OFFICE
POST
To form a panel from which temporary, permanent and fixed-term contract posts may be filled.
SALARY
The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.
In accordance with EL02/2011 persons who are not serving Local Authority employees must be placed on the minimum of the scale. Where a person being appointed is a serving Local Authority employee normal starting pay rules will apply. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy.
The current salary scale for the position is €41,382 minimum to €49,700 inclusive of LSI.
SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTIONS
Persons who become pensionable public servants on or after 1st January 2013 will become members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme and, as such, will be required to pay contributions of 3% of pensionable remuneration and 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 officers 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 the 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 officers 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 officers 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.
DUTIES
The duties of the office are to give the local authority and
(a) such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the City and County Management Acts, is Chief Executive and
(b) to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph,
under the direction and supervision of the appropriate officer, such civil engineering, architectural/building, draughting, and other technical services of an advisory, supervisory or executive 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 including the duty of assisting the appropriate officer in the supervision of such services of any of the foregoing local authorities or bodies and, when required to do so, to perform the duty of acting for a Technician of higher rank during the absence of such officer of higher rank. Holders of the office may be assigned to work in all appropriate areas in the course of their employment.
PROBATION
Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such office on probation;
(b) such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion extend such period;
(c) such persons shall cease to hold such employment at end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.
HEALTH:
For the purposes of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. If after undergoing the medical you do not take up the post the cost of the medical must be refunded to the Council.
WORKING HOURS
37 hours per week. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.
ANNUAL LEAVE
Annual leave entitlement for the position of Executive Technician shall be 30 days per annum.
RESIDENCE
The person holding the office must reside in or at an address convenience to the Local Authority, as approved by the Chief Executive.
TRAVEL
When required to do so holders of the office shall hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles free from endorsement and disqualification 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.
COMMENCEMENT
The local authority shall require persons to whom an appointment is offered to take up appointment within a period of not more than one month. If they fail to take up 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.
GARDA VETTING
Garda vetting may be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for appointment.
OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT
The position is whole-time and the officer may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.
RETIREMENT
In general, there is no specific retirement age for appointees to this position. However, for appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, retirement is compulsory on reaching 65 years of age.
Effective from 1st January 2013, the Single Public Service Pension 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.
Key provisions attaching to membership of the Single Scheme are as follows:
a) Pensionable Age - The minimum age at which pension is payable is 66 (rising to 67 and 68) in line with State Pension age changes.
b) Retirement Age - Scheme members must retire at the age of 70.
c) Pension Abatement - If the appointee was previously employed in the Civil Service or in the Public Service please note that the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 includes a provision which extends abatement of pension for all Civil and Public Servants who are re-employed where a Public Service pension is in payment. This provision to apply abatement across the wider public service came into effect on 1 November 2012. This may have pension implications for any person appointed to this position that is currently in receipt of a Civil or Public Service pension or has a preserved Civil or Public Service pension which will come into payment during his/her employment in this position.
Prior to appointment, successful candidates will be obliged to complete a declaration in relation to previous Public Service pensionable employment.
RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PROCESS
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Laois County Council is committed to complying with standards of best practice and integrity in its recruitment and selection procedures, based on general principles of fairness and consistency in approach to all candidates, through selection procedures which are conducted in an open and transparent manner.
LEGISLATION
Freedom of Information – All information received and processed by the Council is treated in confidence subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Acts 1997-2014.
Data Protection – The information submitted with your application is used solely in processing your candidature and such information is held subject to the rights and obligations of the Data Protection Acts.
Equality – Laois County Council is an equal opportunities employer. The selection process and interview boards will have regard to all equality considerations.
WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES?
· Full Completion of Application Form – applications must be made on the official application form and all sections of the form must be fully completed. When completing the form, it is essential that full details (e.g. Employment dates and duties) are given, as you may be shortlisted on the basis of information supplied.
· Submission Prior to the Closing Date – the completed application form must be forwarded to reach Laois County Council in hard or electronic copy, not later than the closing time and date for receipt of applications. An application form sent by post should be posted in sufficient time to ensure delivery by the deadline. Allegations of loss or delay will not be considered unless supported by a Certificate of Postage.
· Attendance at Interview – candidates who do not attend at interview or tests as required, or who do not when requested, furnish evidence in relation to their candidature, will have no further claim for consideration in the recruitment process for that vacancy.
· Integrity and Fairness – this comprises four main issues:
a) Any attempt by a candidate, or by any person(s) acting on his/her instigation, directly or indirectly by means of written communication or otherwise, to canvass or otherwise influence in the candidate’s favour, any member of staff of the County Council or person nominated by the Council to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidate for the position he/she is seeking.
b) Candidates must not knowingly provide false information on their application.
c) No other person may impersonate or represent a candidate at any stage of a selection process.
d) Candidates must not interfere with or compromise the process in any way.
e) Any candidate found to carry out any of the above and who was/is a candidate in the recruitment process, may be disqualified as a candidate or if appointed, may forfeit the appointment.
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
Laois County Council reserves the right to shortlist candidates in the manner it deems most appropriate. Short listing will be on the basis of information supplied on the Application Form. The number of persons to be invited. The number of persons to be invited, in these circumstances shall be determined by the local authority from time to time having regard to the likely number of vacancies to be filled.
Selection shall be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of the local authority. A panel may be formed on the basis of the interviews. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the office and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may within the life of the panel concerned by appointed as appropriate vacancies arise.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND CLOSING DATE
Completed application forms and copies of qualifications may be posted to:
Human Resources Section, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
Applications forwarded by email or fax will NOT be accepted.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 4.00pm on Friday, 8th December 2017.
LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
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