South Dublin County Council provides a broad range of services to a population of 280,000 people on a daily basis. Under the direction and supervision of the appropriate line manager, the position involves the provision of such engineering or ancillary services as may be required by the Council in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties. The employment is temporary, wholetime and pensionable. A specific purpose contract will apply. Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the South Dublin administrative area.

The duties include, but are not limited to the following: The Executive Environmental Scientific Officer will work and manage a team in the delivery of the council’s statutory responsibility in the protection of the environment. This includes the monitoring, compliance, investigation and enforcement of critical legislation in the protection of water bodies, monitoring of air quality, noise monitoring and the control of waste management activities. The Executive Environmental Scientific Officer will be responsible for the development and delivery of annual inspection programmes. The inspection programme will be completed by Executive 4 Environmental Scientific Officer and by his/her multi-disciplinary team, that will include the following duties:
1. Assist in the development of the council’s annual RMCEI plan, incorporating national and local priorities with measurable deliverables that will provide an impact on the local environment.
2. Perform actions to meet measures under the River Basin Management plan.
3. Assign and mange work to the inspection team
4. Respond to water pollution incidents, ensure resolution of incidents and close out these incidents.
5. Perform statutory septic tank inspections as per direction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and as set out under the National Inspection Plan.
6. Use of Council, EPA and other relevant authorities, software and mobile applications for the uploading of inspection findings such as septic tank inspection, farm inspections and pollution incident.
7. Perform farm inspections and cross-compliance report of offending farms as required by the EU (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2017.
8. In accordance with the National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP), SDCC Assistant Scientist will be required to manage the implementation of in person inspections and all associated regulatory actions related to EU (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2017, in the administrative areas of Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and South Dublin County Council.
9. Perform taking-in-charge inspections of new developments, as a means of preventing pollution and reducing costs for the Council.
10. Review planning applications for water quality issues and compliance.
11. Review planning applications and associated site-specific resource & waste management plans for construction & demolition projects, to minimise waste generated on site and ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
12. In accordance with Regulation 27 (by-product) and Regulation 28 (end of waste), complete appropriate assessment and inspections, with the view to utilise materials as a resource and minimise extraction of additional natural resources.
13. Respond to pollution reports and complaints and provide necessary reporting.
14. Oversee the statutory river sampling schedule and ensure this is completed to a high standard.
15. Carry out inspections of facilities in accordance with relevant waste/environmental protection legislation to ensure compliance in areas such as, but not limited to, the segregation and disposal of waste, WEEE recycling, packaging regulations, plastic bag levy, disposal of batteries, disposal of tyres.
16. Assist in the processing of licence applications and subsequent management of authorised waste facilities and waste collection operators.
17. In accordance with relevant waste and environment protection legislation, issue enforcement notices, issue Fix Penalty Notices, prepare files for enforcement action, attend and represent the Council in court legal proceedings and give evidence in prosecutions as required.
18. Carry out inspections and follow up actions as required to ensure the council delivery of the Annual RMCEI plan.
19. Carry out actions to assist in the delivery of the councils Climate Action Plan.
20. Carry out health and safety duties of the section including Toolbox Talks, draft risk assessments, and spot checks in the field.
21. Supervise staff and ensure compliance with the health and safety standards of the Water Pollution Section and the Council.
22. The Executive Environmental Scientific Officer will also be required to prepare Request for Quotations for purchase of services and works in accordance with the council’s procurement policies.