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Job description

These PTO Area Forepersons opportunities are in the Water and Departmental Delivery Group, Rivers Operations Directorate. Water and Departmental Delivery Group (WADD) - WADD group has responsibility for NI Water (delivery plan and oversight), Departmental Flood Risk Management, Living With Water Programme, Capital Programme, Power of Water Decarbonisation Projects, DfI Strategic Plan and Business Plan, Financial Performance, Budget, Communications, Resource Management, and the DfI Legislative Programme including EU Exit Data and Learning Programme. The group also oversees the Minister’s Office and Assembly Business and delivers digital services, statistics, and research and information management in support of business areas across the Department. DfI Rivers Directorates - Part of the WADD group, the Rivers Directorates vision is to manage flood risk, both now and into the future, to maintain and create sustainable living places and support economic development. The aims supporting the vision are reducing risk to life and damage to property from flooding from rivers and the sea and undertaking watercourse and coastal flood management in a sustainable manner. In support of these aims Rivers objectives are to: implement and inform sustainable flood risk management policies to meet society’s social, environmental and economic needs, whilst taking account of climate change; implement the requirements of the Water Environment (Floods Directive) Regulation; (Northern Ireland) 2009 for the assessment and management of flood risks; inform new development decisions from a flood risk perspective; reduce the number of properties currently at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea; sustainably maintain flood defences, drainage infrastructure and the designated watercourse network; discharge lead Department responsibilities for the emergency response to flooding; communicate flood risk through flood mapping and community engagement; deliver the Rivers element of the Living with Water Programme; prepare for the further commencement of the Reservoirs Act; support and develop all staff to achieve our objectives; and deliver quality services for our customers and stakeholders in a fair and equitable way. Please see employer website for full job details & person specification.

Responsibilities

• The main duties of the post will include: Programming and Execution of Arterial Drainage Works Assisting the Area Engineer’s staff with the monitoring
• Programming and execution of arterial drainage works on river channels and structures through efficient deployment of labour and plant and material resources
• Liaising with the Roads and Rivers Fleet Management Unit for provision and maintenance of plant, vehicles and equipment
• Assessing the requirements for tools, equipment, protective clothing and welfare facilities appropriate for routine tasks and arranging for their provision
• Ensuring high standards of workmanship, performance and conduct of the industrial employees for which he/she is responsible
• Liaising with engineering staff and District Forepersons in monitoring and reporting on progress of new works and maintenance schemes
• Liaising with landowners, statutory authorities, and others when required, in advance of commencing works, also liaising with them during the progress of work as required by the Area Engineer
• Obtaining agreement through Roads for the route and, if necessary, escorting movement of plant
• Flood Emergency Co-ordination: This is a key post in Rivers flood emergency response arrangements; Availability for out of hours flood emergency response is a mandatory requirement of this post
• Co-ordinating the Rivers’ response to flooding emergencies in respect of liaison with the public, and deployment of labour plant and material resources on the ground, including working outside normal working hours
• Managing the sandbag stores located within the area especially with regard to quantity and condition
• Engineering Investigations/Reports: Assist with investigating flooding and other complaints, and writing routine reports
• Supervision of Direct Labour staff and contractors in the construction of drainage and associated works
• Using engineering and general IT facilities and equipment to service Rivers Completion of basic topographic surveys and setting out of the works including basic levelling
• Personnel Function: Participating in the industrial recruitment process Administering and overseeing application of disciplinary and inefficiency procedures, as appropriate
• Identification and monitoring of industrial staff training and development Delivery of localised training to staff and updating of training records Completion of annual Personal Performance Agreements and Personal Development Plans
• Ensuring compliance with Equal Opportunities Policies and Legislation Ensuring effective communication with staff under their responsibility through regular management meetings and DfI Rivers team briefing system
• Encourage/promote satisfactory levels of attendance for all staff under their supervision Line manager duties associated with managing sick absence.
• Health and Safety: Ensuring staff under their responsibility are aware of the requirements as set out in the Roads and Rivers Health and Safety Management System; and ensuring the employment of safe working practices, compliance with Health
• Monitoring on-site Health and Safety within his/her sphere of responsibility, including attending joint Trade Union - Management Health and Safety Consultative meetings
• Other Duties: Due to the nature of the post, applicants will be expected to undertake additional management, IT, and engineering skills training (at a similar competency level) as required
• Responsibilities associated with the post require attendance to flooding emergencies outside normal working hours, at weekends and bank holidays from time to time

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must, by the closing date for applications, meet the below eligibility criteria:
• Have at least a BTEC ONC/OND in Civil Engineering or Building Studies and have at least 1 year’s post qualification experience of working within an industrial workforce environment in the civil engineering or construction industry
• AND At least 3 years relevant experience in a management capacity within the building and civil engineering industry, including responsibility for staff, health and safety, and use of building and civil engineering plant and materials
• AND Live within 35 miles travelling distance by public road (shortest route measured by RAC Route Planner), from the nominated centre of the area applied for as denoted in the ‘Location’ paragraph on page 10 above for the post(s) applied for
• AND A full current driving licence, enabling the licence holder to drive vehicles in Northern Ireland

Further Information

Please quote reference number: IRC307654. Department for Infrastructure (DfI): The Department for Infrastructure employs around 3,000 staff and is organised under a Departmental structure within the following Groups: Transport and Road Asset Management; Climate, Planning and Public Transport; Water and Departmental Delivery. NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date 15th November 12 noon. Applications from females, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit

Application Information

Visit the recruitment service website www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk (Please quote reference number: IRC307654)