Energy Officer
Aside from the exciting range of opportunities to make a real difference to your community and county, South Dublin County Council is a great place to work. Working for South Dublin County Council will give you the opportunity to gain experience at the heart of local government and to develop your career in a diverse work environment. We recognise the value of our employees and can offer a diverse range of job and career options, plenty of scope for career progression, and structured training and personal development. We also offer flexible working arrangements, a positive work environment, training and development opportunities, and the opportunity to make a difference.
The Role
The local authorities have an important role in the delivery of climate mitigation and adaptation, reflected at the National level in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. Each local authority is required to prepare and implement a Local Authority (LA) Climate Action Plan to ensure a coherent approach to climate action across the administrative and political structures of local authorities in Ireland. As part of the LA Climate Action Plan, each LA is responsible for driving actions in relation to the targets set out for greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency.
Energy Efficiency across the public sector in Ireland is essential. Targets are set through Ireland’s EU and National commitments and through our wider climate action goals. Under the National Climate Action Plan 2023 and as signatories to the Climate Action Charter for Local Authorities, SDCC has committed to a new target of 50% improvement in energy efficiency by 2030. As a signatory to the EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy since 2018, this Council has voluntarily committed to a reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to becoming a more climate-resilient region.
The Programme for Government presented in 2020 outlines an ambition to reduce national carbon emissions by 7% each year with a minimum reduction of 51% by the end of the decade (compared with 2018 levels), and to be carbon neutral by 2050.
South Dublin County Council has an established approach to climate action, with the SDCC Climate Action Plan 2024 – 2029, framed by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and the National Climate Action Plan 2023. Through four key targets, this Plan defines how SDCC continuously improves its energy efficiency profile and reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with its own buildings and operations, while making the functional area more adaptive to the impacts of future climate change.
1. 50% improvement in the Council’s energy efficiency by 2030;
2. 51% reduction in the Council’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030;
3. To make Dublin a climate-resilient region, by reducing the impacts of future climate change-related events;
4. To actively engage and inform our communities on climate action.
The role of the Energy Officer is to work as part of the Climate Action Team and lead the Energy Management Team in South Dublin County Council with the overall goal to achieve the required improvements in energy efficiency and reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Officer will be responsible for a range of projects and initiatives to advance the Council’s objectives for energy efficiency and emission reduction.
The office is whole-time, permanent, and pensionable. A panel will be formed to fill permanent and temporary vacancies. Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the South Dublin administrative area.
Salary
€57,909-€80,498 (depending on experience).
Hours of Work
The successful candidate's normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. The Council reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time.
Annual Leave
Annual leave entitlement for this position is 30 days.
Only applications received electronically through the Council’s e-Recruitment system will be accepted and must be received no later than midnight on Thursday, 20th February 2025.
Qualifications
Character
Candidates will be of good character.
Health
Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Essential Education, Training, Experience
1. Hold an honours degree (level eight in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Engineering, Planning, Science, Environmental Science, Architecture, Energy Management or equivalent.
2. Have at least five years satisfactory relevant experience, of which a minimum of two years must be in energy management.
3. Possess a high standard of technical training and experience and demonstrate a record of excellent project management skills.
4. Possess a high standard of administrative experience.
5. Possess team management and coordination experience.
6. Have satisfactory knowledge of local authority operations and an understanding of local authority responsibilities in relation to energy efficiency and carbon reduction.
7. Have excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.
Desirable Education, Training, Experience
1. Demonstrate knowledge and experience in climate action adaptation and mitigation.
2. Demonstrate robust knowledge of ISO 50001.
3. Have a knowledge of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and associated energy efficiency campaigns.
4. Demonstrate a high level of technical knowledge and experience in project delivery.
5. Have a good knowledge of building construction and energy management systems.
6. Have experience of building strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
7. Have good communication skills and be experienced in meeting regularly with stakeholders.
8. Have technical report writing skills.
9. Have good problem-solving skills.
10. Have competency in the area of information technology (IT).
11. Good knowledge of the statutory obligations of Health and Safety legislation.
12. An understanding of local authority services and structures.
Key Competencies / Skills
1. Management and Change
2. Delivering Results
3. Performance Management
4. Personal Effectiveness
5. Local Government Knowledge and Understanding
Candidates are requested to give an example of a situation which highlights the behaviour, skills and attitude that underpin effective performance in these areas.
Duties
The duties include, but are not limited to the following:
* Lead the council’s Energy Management team, delivering on energy/emission targets and objectives.
* Develop and maintain relationships with key Significant Energy Users within the local authority.
* Work with all local authority departments to ensure deadlines are met.
* Identify and manage the delivery of opportunities for necessary energy improvements.
* Assist in the development and implementation of best practice and policy changes.
* Work with CoDEMA, CARO, SEAI, Local Authorities, and other state agencies.
* Maintain good knowledge in relation to changes in EU and National legislation.
* Assist the Climate Action Team in the delivery of energy-related projects.
* Lead in the implementation and management of ISO 50001 Energy Management System.
* Monitor and report on requirements for the local authority.
* Support local authority departments in collecting and sorting data annually.
* Identify potential energy efficiency projects on an ongoing basis.
* Mentor local authority departments in ensuring all energy/emission statutory obligations are met.
* Work as a key part of the Climate Action Team to meet implementation and reporting commitments.
* Assist in the development and implementation of Decarbonising Zones.
* Collaboration with the SDCC Advisor in supporting and leading communities in the development of Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC).
* Undertake any other duties as may be required to support the implementation of the local authority’s agenda on energy efficiency and emission reduction.
The Energy Officer will operate under the direction of the Senior Engineer and the Director of Service of the section to which they are assigned.
These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.
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