JOB DESCRIPTION

POST TITLE:Head of Service – Public Realm

GRADE: CO4

SERVICE AREA:Environment & Regeneration

DIVISION: Public Realm

REPORTS TO:Director of Public Realm

MANAGES/SUPERVISES:Up to 600 staff.

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTION

The post holder will be responsible for a range of Public Realm Services and support services. As such will oversee the strategy and development, statutory and professional accountabilities and service commissioning and will hold the budget for thesefunctions. The range of Public Realm Services may change from time to time. Primarily, there are four service heads covering :-

  • Street Environment Services
  • Greenspace and Leisure Service
  • Parking and Traffic Service
  • Highways and Energy Service

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. To manage and direct the services in accordance with core principles, key aims, service and business plans ensuring the provision of first class services for the Council and the residents, businesses and visitors to Islington.
  2. The Post Holder is expected to be committed to the Council’s core principles and key aims and must demonstrate this commitment in the way their responsibilities are carried out.
  3. Agree with the Service Director Public Realm the key objectives, the annual service plan and performance standards and targets, and ensure that they are monitored and achieved in accordance with Council priorities.
  4. To be responsible for the continuous review of the services to include all working procedures, operation of Service Level Agreements and contracted out services.
  5. To ensure the Council complies with its current statutory obligations and duties and Standing Orders and successfully anticipate new requirements.
  6. To initiate and lead on reviews, agreed service improvements implemented and external quality accreditation sought and sustained across the division.
  7. To be overall responsible for the development of a cohesive and co-ordinated approach to the provision of services through the integration of a customer-focused approach to enforcement and administration.
  8. To represent the Council at inquiries and hearings arising from the work of the Service.
  9. To represent the Council at local and national level, acting as an ambassador for Islington to enhance the Council’s performance, reputation and image.
  10. To ensure customer-focused service delivery is maintained and developed.
  11. Create and maintain an organisational culture that empowers and involves.
  12. Work in a corporate and co-operative way with Heads of Service and Service Directors and Directors.
  13. As a member of the Public Realm Management’s Team, to carry a share of the responsibility for the management of the Division.
  14. Recruit, develop and train staff and manage their performance to meet organised aims and objectives, including implementation of the Council’s Appraisal and Development System.
  15. Ensure that all services within the area of responsibility are provided in accordance with the council’s commitment to best value and high quality service provision to the consumers.
  16. To be responsible for the Health and Safety strategy, planning and monitoring for the division and to represent the department at corporate level. To ensure that a safe working environment is provided for all employees under your control, and to ensure that relevant health and safety matters are included as part of the induction to new employees.
  17. To be overall responsible for policies and strategies for service improvements, service development and the achievement of Council, departmental and customer objectives.
  18. To ensure that effective management arrangements are in place to implement policies and achieve strategies, objectives and business plans, translating policies and strategic aims into practical and achievable plans. That performance review mechanisms are in place to monitor extent of progress and achievement of divisional objectives and goals.
  19. To consider wider implications of issues during the business planning process and conclude with a realistic and thorough assessment of risk and to act as risks control officer for the division.
  20. To identify, establish and maintain relevant information systems in critical areas and analyse material to identify priorities, make decisions, determine action and review progress.
  21. To be responsible for the development and maintenance of business continuity plans for the department and assist in the deployment thereof.
  22. To co-ordinate and facilitate effective communication within the division/department as appropriate, including the use of newsletter, and liaison meetings with stakeholders.
  23. To prepare and present reports to committee on matters relating to the objectives of the post, and to ensure that all correspondence, enquiries and complaints are investigated and effectively dealt with in accordance with the council’s policies and procedures.
  24. To act as a Borough Liaison Officer in the event of a major incident. This includes providing advice and support to the Emergency Planning Officer in the event of a major civil emergency, directing other staff, assisting the Emergency Services, or being based in the Emergency Control Centre to ensure a cohesive response is given to the Emergency Services. This role has substantial responsibilities in relations to the life/death/well being of the community.
  25. To participate in organising and providing Emergency Services during and out of normal hours every day of the year on a 24hour basis and be able to attend to the incident within one hour of being notified.
  26. To undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post.

ADDITIONAL:

  • To use and assist others in the use of information technology systems to carry out duties in the most efficient and effective manner.
  • To achieve agreed service outcomes and outputs, and personal appraisal targets, as agreed by the line manager.
  • To undertake training and constructively take part in meetings, supervision, seminars and other events designed to improve communication and assist with the effective development of the post and post holder.
  • To carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the council’s commitment to customer service excellence and ensure compliance with the customer care standards.
  • To be committed to the Council’s core values of public service, quality, equality and empowerment and to demonstrate this commitment in the way duties are carried out.

Post holder Declaration

Name
Signed:
Date:

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The person specification is a picture of skills, knowledge and experience required to carry out the job. It has been used to draw up the advert and will also be used in the short-listing and interview process for this post.

You should demonstrate on your application form how you meet the following essential criteria.

Department: Environment & Regeneration / DIVISION: Public Realm
UNIT: Evironmental Services

Post Title: Head of EnvironmentalServices

/ Grade:CO4

REQUIREMENTS

/

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

/

A/I/T*

E1

/ Substantial evidence of successfully developing and delivering a relevant service in a large comparable customer facing organisation. /
A/I
E2 / Experience and a thorough understanding of processes of local authority funding, accounting and budget control, including managing large and complex budgets and of developing, updating and maintaining systems to support this and resolving conflicting priorities. / A/I
E3 / Demonstrable success in delivering organisational change, service improvements and eradicating poor performance. / A/I
E4 / Evidence of success in providing clear direction to secure commitment to continuous service improvement and to develop individuals and teams of people within a performance and quality culture. / A/I
E5 / Experience and ability to produce business plans, service plans and service charters. / A/I

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITY

E6
/ Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of managing complex political interfaces. / A/I
E7 / Outstanding communication skills both oral and written with ability to influence outcomes effectively through persuasive argument. / A/I/T
E8 / Ability to apply creative and lateral thinking to complex problems in a multi disciplinary and many faceted organisation and environment. / I
E9 / Ability to initiate, develop and maintain effective partnerships with relevant stakeholders both internally and externally. / A/I
E10 / Ability to work within a highly pressurised environment working to sharp dead lines and to be resilient. / A/I
E11 / Knowledge of and ability to keep informed of all legislation relating to the contractual, technical and operational aspects of the service and to ensure the Council’s statutory responsibilities are achieved. / A/I/T
E12 / High standards of probity and integrity and commitment to public service in keeping with a service head. / I

COMMITMENT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

E13 / Ability to adhere to the Council’s Dignity for All policy. / A/I
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POST
E14 / This post is designated politically restricted /

E= Essential

*Assessed by: A= Application I= Interview T= Test

Revised 2016.

ApMayHead of Parking &Business Services (JD).docH:\Divisional & General Matters\2009\Restructure 2009-10\New Job descriptions\Head of Parking &Business Services (JD).doc