Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent or temporary vacancies for the position of
Environmental Awareness Officer in Monaghan County Council shall be filled. The Environmental Awareness Officer shall report to the Administrative Officer or other officer as designated by the relevant Director of Service.
The Role
The Environmental Awareness Officer works as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering regulatory, enforcement, and awareness activities in Waste, Litter Management, Water Quality, Air Quality, Climate Action, Biodiversity, energy and other areas of Environmental care.
The role requires a combination of technical understanding and knowledge of the science, legislation, policies and plans that underpin the Local Authority’s role in Environmental Management, with an ability to translate same to a diverse range of audiences with a varied understanding of Environmental issues.
The role also requires a clear knowledge and understanding of local authority services and 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.
The Environmental Awareness Officer shall assist the Council in achieving its key objectives through education, awareness, promoting conservation and sustainability and enhancing the public’s enjoyment of the environment through a targeted and interactive environmental awareness programme.
The ideal candidate
It is desirable that candidates demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that he/she has: -
- Have both the ability to work on one’s own initiative as well as experience of effective project team management.
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Have a positive outlook and enjoy working with people.
- Good administrative, report writing, and IT skills
- An ability to achieve targets and deliver results as an individual and as part of a team.
- An ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organisational, negotiation and problem resolution skills.
- A good understanding and working knowledge of Health & Safety standards and requirements including risk assessments.
- Knowledge and experience of environmental legislation.
- Experience in the supervision and control of staff.
- Have a strong sense of ownership of their work and attention to detail.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The
Environmental Awareness Officer shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned in relation to employment and as may be appropriate to any function of the
Environment Section and shall carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of their duties.
The key duties and responsibilities of the post will include but are not limited to the following: -
- Working as part of the Council’s Environment and Climate Action team and as part of the Council generally in the development of relevant policies and plans for the protection of the county’s environment including litter and waste management, biodiversity, and climate change;
- Delivering an annual education and awareness campaign, in line with the Council’s Litter Management Plan, the national Waste Management Plan for the Circular Economy, and National Enforcement Priorities, and reinforce the core civic/personal responsibility messages of environmental protection;
- Working with all schools, community and voluntary groups, and business groups in their efforts to promote a cleaner and healthier environment, and strengthen multi-agency cooperation, shared learning and partnerships to positively impact the county’s landscape;
- Promoting and supporting the delivery of Monaghan County Council’s environmental policies, climate actions, and regional environmental plans, including areas of waste resource management, litter management, recycling, pollution prevention, conservation and protection of amenities;
- Compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence, etc.
- Participating in Citizen Engagement and delivering public presentations on Environmental topics and Climate Change Actions;
- Researching, developing and delivering environmental awareness education programmes (including climate action, and biodiversity), and resources for schools, community/other groups regularly;
- Actively promoting Monaghan County Council’s Environmental Services and Climate Action through public information sessions, seminars and workshops, leaflets, newsletters, website, social media or other avenues as appropriate;
- Managing financial and budgetary requirements including grants and project funding;
- Managing and motivating the team and ensuring effective team building;
- Dealing with the media, including the writing of speeches, press releases, radio interviews;
- Working with cross sectoral committees, elected members and working groups in all areas of Climate Action, Biodiversity and Environmental Awareness;
- Promoting good practice and dissemination of information on other aspects of the environment such as protection of natural waters, heritage issues, planning and conservation and the promotion of sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices
- Attending events and meetings outside normal working hours (such as evenings and weekends)
- Promoting the involvement of schools in environmental awareness programmes, including the coordination and implementation of the Green Schools Award Scheme
- Drafting of the Litter Management Plan and all the processes that go together, i.e. public consultation, bringing the plan to SPC, CPG and the main council for approval etc.
- Availing of all funding opportunities to promote Environmental Awareness on behalf of Monaghan County Council, i.e. ALAG, Environmental Fund, Green Business Hub etc
Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time including any future requirements for reallocation of work and/or redeployment.
