CIVIL DEFENCE OFFICER

Introduction Westmeath has a population of approximately 90,000 and is in the heart of the country with excellent road and rail access to all four corners of the island of Ireland, Westmeath has a rural tranquillity, but ready access to the country's main urban cities which include Dublin and Galway in particular.

Our mission, as set out in the Corporate Plan 2024 - 2029, is:

"To represent, lead and serve local communities and to enhance the quality of life for the people of Westmeath by promoting the sustainable development of the county and delivering efficient and inclusive services."

Westmeath County Council consists of 20 members who are elected every five years; The county is divided into two Municipal Districts of Mullingar/ Kinnegad and Athlone / Moate with the administrative headquarters of the Council located in Mullingar. There are also Civic Offices located in Athlone and Castlepollard. Mullingar is the county town while Athlone is a Regional Growth Centre under the National Planning Framework.

At a strategic level, the Council operates through its Corporate Policy Group comprising the Cathaoirleach of the Council and the Chairs of the Local Authority's four Strategic Policy Committees. The Chief Executive and the Management Team play a key role in supporting and advising this policy group.

Westmeath County Council has responsibility for delivering a wide range of services in the local area with a focus on making Westmeath a prosperous county that seeks to support a vibrant economy, rural quality of life, active and safe communities, diversity, culture and heritage, healthy and sustainable natural environment along with a sense of community pride and place. The Council has a workforce of 600 and a budget of €129.4 million in 2026.

The Position 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 Civil Defence Officer be drawn. Civil Defence is a statutory volunteer-based organisation. It currently has approximately 2,500 volunteer members nationally. The Department of Defence, through its Civil Defence Branch, is responsible for the overall policy direction of Civil Defence.

There is a Civil Defence Unit in each local authority area and the Civil Defence Officer, who will be an employee of the local authority and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Civil Defence Unit.

• To assist in the preparation and submission in a timely manner and in consultation with local authority management, of the three-year Civil Defence plan as required under Section 8 of the Civil Defence Act, 2023
• To manage the day-to-day activities of the Civil Defence Unit, co ordinating the arrangements necessary for the implementation of the Civil Defence plan and the safe completion of duties, including but not limited to risk assessment and appropriate resourcing of all duties, ensuring that duties are completed within the agreed standard operating guidelines and policies, and responsible officer for the management of controlled drugs
• To represent Civil Defence on local emergency planning structures and to promote good relations with key personnel in the Principal Response Agencies
• To provide support to the Principal Response Agencies in emergency and non emergency situations in accordance with the 2015 White Paper on Defence, the Towards 2030 policy document and the Framework for Major Emergency Management
• Where resources permit, to provide support for community, charitable and local authority events
• To implement and comply with policies, circulars and guidelines (including the Civil Defence Act (Code of Practice) Regulations 2023) as set out by the Civil Defence Branch of the Department of Defence in consultation with their Line Manager
• To liaise with the Civil Defence Branch of the Department of Defence on behalf of the local authority and to attend meetings for that purpose
• To attend training provided by the Department of Defence and the local authority
• To ensure that Civil Defence volunteers are appropriately trained including mandatory training, to facilitate progression of training for volunteers, including completing an annual training needs analysis
• To follow instructions issued by the Department of Defence in relation to the processing of the annual operational grant and any other grants that are provided
• To follow instructions issued by the local authority/Department of Defence for the purchase, care, maintenance, issue and control of Civil Defence uniforms, vehicles and equipment
• To maintain adequate records, including ongoing completion of the Volunteer and Equipment Management System, in the manner required and any other reporting requirements as may arise
• To promote Civil Defence in the local authority area
• Such other Civil Defence duties appropriate to the office as the Chief Executive of the local authority and/or Department of Defence may assign, including emergency duties and duties in relation to the area of any other local authority
• Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time

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 duties as designated from time to time.

Qualifications for the Post 1. Character - Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health - Candidates shall be in a state of health such that they would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. 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); orc) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; ord) A non EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; ore) 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 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.

4. Education, Training, Experience - Candidates must have on the latest date of receipt of completed application forms:

• a) Possess a good standard of education.
• b) Shall hold a full, clean Class B, Class C1 and D1 driving licence.
• c) Have a good standard of administrative experience including the use of IT.
• d) Proven track record of financial planning and budget monitoring, procurement procedures, and the effective management of resources.
• e) Experience in the supervision and development of staff/volunteers.
• Non Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

The Ideal Candidate In the context of key duties and responsibilities for the post of Civil Defence Officer, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, experience and competencies;

• a) Excellent knowledge and understanding of the role of the Civil Defence Officer and Civil Defence in a Local Authority.
• b) Understanding of the structures and environment within which the local authority sector operates and the role of the Civil Defence Officer in this context.
• c) Experience of managing and supervising volunteers including the development of staff and volunteers.
• d) Proficiency in IT and administration skills.
• e) Ability to demonstrate an understanding of financial planning, budget monitoring, procurement procedures, and the effective management of resources to support operational objectives.
• f) Strong organisational and leadership skills.
• g) Good interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage and work with external stakeholders.
• h) Health & Safety and risk management training would be desirable.
• i) Demonstrate a clear understanding of managing resources in an operational context.
• j) Previous experience in an emergency response volunteer management role is desirable.

Particulars of Office (including retirement) 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. The current salary for the post of Civil Defence Officer is €58,474 - €71,437 per annum (including Long Service Increments), which is analogous Senior Staff Officer pay scale as per Circular EL 04/2026. 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.

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