EXECUTIVE PLANNER

Westmeath County Council -
County Westmeath

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Job details

Fixed term
€14 an hour

Benefits

Bike to work scheme
Annual leave
Employee assistance program
Sick pay

Qualifications

Management
Customer service
Word processing
Administrative experience
Project management
Less (style sheet language)
Communication skills
B Driving Licence
GIS

Full job description

Candidate Information Booklet

EXECUTIVE PLANNER
(Permanent & Fixed Term Contracts)

This is a rolling competition, there will be no closing date for

receipt of completed application forms.

Applications will be processed in order of receipt of

completed applications.

Human Resources Department
Westmeath County Council
[email protected]
www.westmeathcoco.ie
Phone No. 044 93 32000

Westmeath County Council is committed to a policy of equal opportunity

EXECUTIVE PLANNER

Table of Contents

The Position 3

Qualifications for the post 5

Particulars of the Post (including recruitment) 7

Competencies for the post 14

EXECUTIVE PLANNER

The Position:
Westmeath County Council employs over 590 staff across eight service divisions. Housing &
Building; Road, Transport & Safety; Rural Water; Development Management; Environmental
Protection; Recreation & Amenity; Climate Action, Agriculture & Education and Miscellaneous
Services. It consists of 20 democratically elected members. The Council is mandated to deliver a
diverse range of functions and services which can be broadly described under the headings of
economic development, community development, provision of physical and social infrastructure,
recreation and amenity services, and the enforcement of the planning and environmental
regulatory framework. The Council now invites applications from suitably qualified persons who
wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and fixed term contract posts
for the position of Executive Planner will be drawn.

Executive Planners are responsible for implementing programmes of work in the Planning
Department and for providing a multiplicity of planning services and related services. Executive
Planner positions are multi-faceted and may include some or all of the following key service areas:

➢ Development Management
➢ Planning Enforcement
➢ Forward Planning and Sustainable Development
➢ Community Planning
➢ Biodiversity
➢ Transport Planning
➢ Conservation/Heritage Planning

Executive Planners will be required to input into multi-disciplinary project teams on occasions,
under the direction and supervision of the Senior Planner or other appropriate officer.

The Executive Planner will from time to time be required to deputise for Senior Executive Planner
or more senior personnel and must be willing to take on this challenge. The ideal candidate will be
a highly motivated person, with a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services
and shall demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of:

Local Authority services, its key stakeholders and relationships

Local Government Structures and its democratic role and mandate

Current Local Government issues, future trends and strategic direction of the sector,

particularly in relation to planning policy and practice.

Key policies guiding the local government sector

National, Regional and Local planning issues

Fostering and maintaining wide ranging productive working relationship both internally

and externally to the organisation

Implementing change

Integrity and public service values

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Executive Planner duties include but are not limited to the following;

Assessment and making of recommendations on planning applications in line with all

relevant national, regional and local planning plans/policies, and in accordance with
the appropriate legislation and guidelines as required.

Conducting pre-application consultations and provision of planning advice to

members of the public, internal departments and to the Elected Members.

Advising on and preparation of recommendations on ‘Section 5’ exempted

development declaration applications and other declarations as directed.

Giving planning advice on the preparation and processing of “Part 8” Local Authority

development applications.

Assist in the preparation and implementation of the County Development Plan, Local

Area Plans and other planning reports as required.

Preparation of policy and reports as required on a wide variety of planning matters.
Planning Enforcement duties including drafting reports, conducting site visits and

appearing in Court.

Assist in public consultation and engagement exercises related to Planning.
Monitoring and reporting on implementation progress, including gathering/analysis

of development.

Building and maintaining co-operative working relationships including the

supervision of staff as required.

Represent the Council at meetings with staff, elected members, community/general

interest groups, businesses and residents.

The post holder may be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than
those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to, an appropriate Officer
or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by Westmeath County
Council.

EXECUTIVE PLANNER

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, EXPERIENCE, ETC.

Candidates shall:

(a) Hold an honours degree in Planning (at least level 8 on the National
Framework of Qualifications)

(b) Have at least five years’ satisfactory relevant experience of planning

work;

(c) Possess a high standard of technical training and experience;

and

(d) Possess a high degree of administrative experience.

4. CITIZENSHIP

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:
a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States

of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on

the free movement of persons; or
d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a

stamp 4 visa; or
e) A 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

f) 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.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate should also be able to demonstrate the following: -

Good knowledge of local government functions, services and activities particularly in

relation to planning and development legislation and procedures across the areas of

forward planning, development management and enforcement in particular

Good understanding of the current and future planning issues facing County Westmeath

and its wider region

Awareness of and management of Health, Safety and Welfare in the workplace

Strong I.T. skills, in particular word processing, presentation and GIS systems

Prioritising of work in an efficient and effective manner

Ability and experience of working in a dynamic and multi-disciplinary team

Good planning ability and project management skills

Ability to act on own initiative

Possess an ability to think laterally and maintain a solution orientated mind-set in dealing

with a wide range of issues.

Dealing effectively with conflicting demands

An ability to achieve delivery of competing demands within prescribed timelines and

deadlines

Good communication/presentation and interpersonal skills.

EXECUTIVE PLANNER

Particulars of Office

1. The post
A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further
year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel may be used to fill permanent & fixed
term positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as
per the panel.

Vacancies may arise on a county-wide basis. Westmeath County Council reserves the right
to assign employees to any work location having regard to funding and/or operational
circumstances.

2. Salary

The current salary scale for the post of Executive Planner is €59,658 – €82,929 (including
Long Service Increments) gross per annum as per Circular EL 07/2025. Payment of
increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.
Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with the Circulars issued by the
Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

New Entrants to the Local Authority Service commence on the 1st point of the scale in
accordance with current Government Policy as set out in Department of the Environment
Circular Letter EL 02/2011 of 28th January 2011 and Circular EL 05/2016 dated 5th February
2016.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee’s nominated bank
account. The current pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions e.g. PAYE and PRSI. Increments are paid
annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national
agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are
not satisfactory.

You agree that in the event of an overpayment of salary or other monies to you, the
Council reserves the right to deduct monies from your “wages” (for the purposes of the
Payment of Wages Act, 1991) for the purpose of reimbursement of the Council of the
amount of the overpayment(s), in keeping with the Payment of Wages Act 1991, Section
5(5).

3. Superannuation and Retirement
Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service
Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details of the relevant scheme will be
provided to the appointee prior to appointment.

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority who is liable to pay the
Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute
to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of 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). A person paying Class A rate of PRSI who

becomes a pensionable employee 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 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).

A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority who is liable to pay the
Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her superannuation to
contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. A person
paying Class D rate of
PRSI who becomes a pensionable Officer of a local authority depending on their existing
scheme, may be a member of a dependent scheme i.e. either the Local Government
(Widows & Orphans Contributory Pension) Scheme or Local Government (Spouses and
Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme and if a member of either scheme will be required
in respect of this to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable
remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

Employees are admitted to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms of the
Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act, 1998 and the Superannuation
(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, with effect from date of appointment. This scheme is
contributory and provides pension, retirement and death gratuities.

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 1st January
2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration
and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on
career-average pay; pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012: The compulsory
retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme
and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years. Minimum pension age of 66 years, rising to 67
years and 68 years in line with State Pension age changes, is applicable.

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004:
There is no mandatory retirement age for ‘New Entrants’ from 1st April, 2004 to the public
service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act
2004. 65 years is the minimum age at which a person may be paid. As a new entrant to
the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants will not be required to
retire on grounds of age.

Anyone who is not a ‘New Entrant’ to the public service, defined in the Public Service
Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is subject to compulsory retirement
age of 70 years.

4. Probation
(a) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such

persons shall hold the position on probation;
(b) such period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion

extend such period;

(c) the person appointed shall cease to hold office at the end of the period of probation
unless during such period the chief executive has certified that the service of the
person in such office is satisfactory.

The Local Authority shall require persons to whom appointments are offered to take up such
appointments within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the
appointments within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute
discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint them.

5. Annual Leave
The annual leave entitlement shall be 30 days per annum. Granting of annual leave,
payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the
provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and local agreements which may
apply from time to time.

6. Working Hours

Normal working hours are 35 hours per week. Duties may require the successful applicant
to work outside of normal hours i.e. attendance at evening/weekend, training. All hours
worked will be subject to the provision of Organisation of Working Time Act , 1997 as
amended.

You may be required to complete a time sheet in accordance with the Organisation of
Working Time Regulations, 2001.

7. Sick Leave
The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

8. Location
Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any
premises in use by the Council, now or in the future.

The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means
of transport and at their own expense.

9. Code of Conduct/Organisation Policies
Employees are required to adhere to all current and future Westmeath County Council codes
of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational
policies.

10. Training
It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in
Training programmes relevant to the skills for the performance of the duties attached to the
post.

11. Safety and Welfare
Westmeath County Council as an Employer is obliged to ensure, so far as it is reasonably
practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all its employees. Under the Safety,
Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due
care and take all protective and preventative measure to protect the Safety, Health and
Welfare of its employees. The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of
Westmeath County Council Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. He/she shall
familiarise him/herself with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all
safety clothing and equipment.

All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to co-operate
with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do anything
which would place themselves or others at risk. Employees must not be under the influence
of an intoxicant at the place of work.

Employees must comply with all Safety and Health rules and regulations and attend all
required Safety and Health Training.

12. Driver’s Licence & Insurance

It is a necessary requirement that the post holder shall hold a full driving licence for Class B
vehicles, as he/she will be required to use your motor car in the course of their duties and
for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the Council. It is the
responsibility of the post holder to arrange insurance cover for business use and to
indemnify Westmeath County Council with the indemnity specified on your insurance
certificate under the heading “Persons or classes of person who are covered”. Travelling and
subsistence expenses incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance
with the relevant Department Circulars and Local Authority 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.

12. Garda Vetting

Successful candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting in advance of appointment to the

position.

13. Employee Benefits
• Examples of some of the current Employee Benefits include:

Allocation of 30 Days Annual Leave per annum (pro-rata)

Access to Flexi Time Scheme

A range of Family Friendly Policies

Availability of an Optical Benefit Scheme

Availability of a Cycle to Work Scheme

A range of Learning and Developmental Opportunities

Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave

Option to become a member of Westmeath County Council’s Social Club

State of the art office accommodation in our Civic Headquarters

Automatically entered into a pension scheme

Access to the services provided under Westmeath County Council’s Employee Assistance

Programme

14. Recruitment:
Shortlisting:
Normally 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, Westmeath County Council may decide that
a number only will be invited to same. In this respect, Westmeath County Council provide
for the employment of a short-listing process to select a group for interview who, based on
an examination of the application forms, appear to be the most suitable for the position
based on the specific requirements identified in the job description. An expert board will
examine the application forms against a pre-determined criterion 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. 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 interviews. 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.

15. Reference/Documentary Evidence
Candidates may be required to submit documentary evidence to the local authority in
support of their application.
The admission of a person to a competition, or invitation to attend an interview, is not to
be taken as implying that Westmeath County Council is satisfied that such person fulfils the

requirements of the competition or is not disqualified by law from holding the position and
does not carry a guarantee that your application will receive further consideration. It is
important, therefore, for you to note that the onus is on you to ensure that you meet the
eligibility requirements for the competition before attending for interview. If you do not
meet the essential entry requirement but nevertheless attend for interview you will be
putting yourself to unnecessary expense. Prior to recommending any candidate for
appointment to this position Westmeath County Council will make all such enquiries that
are deemed necessary to determine the suitability of the candidate.

16. Taking Up Appointment
Westmeath County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to
take up such appointment within a period of four weeks (maximum) 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.

17. Canvassing
Any attempt by a candidate, or by any person(s) acting at the candidate’s instigation, directly

or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise influence in the candidate’s
favour, any member or employee of the Council or person nominated by the County Council
to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidate for the
position being sought.

18. Deeming of candidature to be withdrawn
Candidates who do not attend for interview or other test when and where required by
Westmeath County Council, or who do not, when requested, give such evidence as Westmeath
County Council require regarding any matter relevant to their candidature, will have no further
claim to consideration.

19. Pre-employment

Before contracts of employment are entered into various pre-employment checks are
undertaken. These include medicals, references and may include Garda Vetting. Westmeath
County Council will invite successful candidates to under a medical assessment. A Medical
Examiner will be nominated by Westmeath County Council. Westmeath County Council will
pay the fee for any general medical examination.

20. Data Protection
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on the 25th May, 2018
Replacing the existing data protection framework under the EU data Protection Directive.
The personal information (data) collected on the application form, including any
attachments, (which may include the collection of sensitive personal data) is collected for the
purpose of processing this application, and any data collected is subject to Westmeath
County Council’s privacy statement which can be found at
https://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/yourcouncil/privacyanddata/

21. Closing Date
The completed application form, along with any certificates, must be EMAILED as one PDF
document to [email protected]. Please send using the subject line “Your Last
Name, First Name – Executive Planner e.g. Bloggs, Joe – Executive Planner ”

This is a rolling competition, there will be no closing date for receipt of completed
application forms.

NOTE: Please send your completed application from an email address that you will
review regularly as communication during the assessment/selection period will only be
through your nominated e-mail address.

The onus is on the applicant to ensure that s/he is in receipt of all communications from
the Council. Westmeath County Council accepts no responsibility for communication not
accessed or received by the applicant.

Key Competencies - Executive Planner

Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate
sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of the following specific areas:

Management & Change Delivering Results

Strategic Ability Problem Solving and Decision
Displays the ability to think and act strategically Can pinpoint critical information and address issues
Can translate strategy into operational plans and logically.
outputs. Understands the context and impact of decisions made.
Evaluates capacity and performance against Acts decisively and makes timely, informed and effective
objectives. decisions.
Demonstrates innovation and creativity to secure Operational Planning
successful strategic outcomes Contributes to operational plans and develops team plans
Political Awareness in line with priorities and actions for their area of
Has a clear understanding of the political reality and operations.
context of the organisation. Delegates, tracks and monitors activity.
Networking and Representing Develops and Establishes high quality service and customer care
maintains positive and beneficial relationships with a standards.
range of stakeholders. Managing Resources
Builds networks of technical and professional Manages the allocation, use and evaluation of resources to
contacts. Promotes and sustains an appropriate, ensure they are used effectively to deliver on operational
positive, and cohesive image for the organisation it plans.
represents. Drives and promotes reduction in cost and minimisation of
Bringing about Change waste.
Demonstrates flexibility and an openness to change. Delivering Quality Outcomes
Develops and initiates change management Promotes the achievement of quality outcomes in
programmes to meet end objectives. Influences delivering services.
others and fosters commitment to change Organises the delivery of services to meet or exceed the

required standard.
Evaluates the outcomes achieved, identifies learning and
implements improvements required.

Performance through People Personal Effectiveness

Leading and Motivating Relevant Knowledge
Motivates others individually and in teams to deliver Keeps up to date with current developments, trends and
high quality work and customer focused outcomes. best practice in their area of responsibility.
Develops the competence of team members and Demonstrates the required specialist knowledge,
helps them meet their full potential. understanding and training for the role.
Leads by example in terms of commitment, flexibility Has strong knowledge and understanding in relation to
and a strong customer service ethos. statutory obligations of Health and Safety legislation and
Managing Performance Effectively manages its application in the workplace.
performance including underperformance or Resilience and Personal Well Being
conflict. Demonstrates appropriate and positive self- confidence.
Empowers and encourages people to deliver their Remains calm under pressure and operates effectively in
part of the operational plan. an environment with significant complexity and pace.
Communicating Effectively Integrity; behaves in an honest, trustworthy and respectful
Recognises the value of communicating effectively manner and is transparent, fair and consistent in dealing
with all employees. with others.
Actively listens to others. Personal Motivation, Initiative and Achievement
Has highly effective verbal and written Is enthusiastic about the role and sets challenging goals to
communication skills. achieve high quality outcomes.
Presents ideas clearly and effectively to individuals Is self- motivated and persistent when faced with
and groups. difficulties. Engages in regular critical reflection to identify

how own performance can be improved.

At interview, candidates will be assessed under the following competencies using some or of all the indicators
listed.

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