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Job description

The post holder will ensure, through effective allocation of resources, that the Education, Enforcement and Dog Control functions, including dog licensing, are delivered to meet the Councils responsibilities efficiently, effectively and economically. Working, as part of a team or individually, within the Environment section, the post holder will be responsible for: Proactively driving service improvements in accordance with the development and implementation of the Councils Waste Management Strategy and recycling initiatives to help achieve the Councils recycling targets.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, deliver, and promote Councils waste management and recycling schemes through educational programmes to all sectors including householders, businesses, community groups, schools, and elected members.
• Work collaboratively across the Sustainability and Environment Directorate to ensure the Council meets recycling targets as set out in the Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy and to promote a Circular Economy.
• Responsible for the development and promotion of targeted initiatives to meet NI recycling targets and Council aims and objectives, for example to improve recycling rates, reduce litter and dog fouling in problematic areas.
• Work collaboratively with the Marketing team to plan and execute local and national PR activities throughout the District through various medias, e.g. Recycling week, Compost week, Anti-dog fouling campaigns.
• Monitor, review and evaluate PR and educational campaigns in order to inform and develop future programmes and activities to include benchmarking against other similar organisations.
• To ensure the accurate and timely production of all information required for Council or committee reports, statutory returns, and make recommendations for service improvements, educational programmes, and initiatives, e.g., Councils waste data
• To be aware of current waste legislation, government, and EU policy with respect to waste minimisation, reuse and recycling and be able to plan and apply this to the operation of current and future Council programmes.
• Keep up to date with relevant and allied legislation and advise on changes and amendments impacting the Environment section.
• To investigate and respond to enquiries/complaints in all forms of communication from the public, businesses, schools, elected members, and others with regard to waste minimisation and recycling schemes and services in an efficient and effectively
• To establish and maintain close effective working relationships with other departments internally within the Council, externally, with cross-border organisations and the public to support and promote waste management and recycling initiatives.
• Represent the Environment section and contribute to internal and external steering and working groups relevant to the recycling function as required.
• Participate in employee training and development activities to ensure that knowledge, skills and competence required to fulfil the role in full are up to date. Enforcement of Litter, Animal Welfare & Dog Control Statutory Functions
• Manage the effective and efficient fulfilment of the Councils statutory duties regarding Litter, Animal Welfare & Dog Control functions, including managing service requests.
• Responsible for the supervision and management of teams of Enforcement Officers and District (Dog) Wardens across the District who enforce relevant statutory functions.
• Monitor, plan and prioritise daily workloads to ensure delivery of a quality service, including planning of work rotas and the on-call system for Dog Control. Act as a point of contact for staff working outside normal working hours when required.
• Responsible for management of high visibility foot patrols in the District, aimed to enforce legislation in line with the Councils Enforcement Policy relating to relevant legislation and Council Bye-Laws and oversight of the issuing and payments
• Oversee the completion of enforcement records and the updating of the Management Information System to ensure all records are accurate and updated in a timely manner.
• Review, assess and approve evidence files and relevant paperwork for legal proceedings in line with the Councils Policies and procedures and recommend appropriate enforcement action in liaison with the Councils Legal Advisor.
• Monitor, review and evaluate the requirement for and the effective implementation of new and existing Dog Control Orders throughout the district.
• When required, assist with the preparation of business cases, tender documentation, and quotations in line with financial and procurement regulations, policies, procedures and corporate timescales specific to the functions relevant to the role.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Have a minimum of a Level 6 qualification for e.g. University Degree in a relevant discipline e.g. Waste Management, Environmental Management, Environmental Health etc
• At least 2 years’ experience in a Waste or Environmental setting to include the following: Managing Staff; The enforcement of legislation to include preparation of legal documentation;
• Developing and implementing educational and promotional awareness schemes or marketing campaigns; Investigating and responding to complaints, Freedom of Information Requests and press enquiries.
• OR In lieu of qualification above 3 years’ experience in a Waste or Environmental setting to include the following:
• Managing Staff; The enforcement of legislation to include preparation of legal documentation; Developing and implementing educational and promotional awareness schemes or marketing campaigns;
• Investigating and responding to complaints, Freedom of Information Requests and press enquiries.
• Experience in the development of successful working partnerships with a wide range of groups and external agencies.
• Experience in the creation of accurate and timely reports.
• Knowledge of Legislative frameworks relating to the following areas: Dog Control; Litter Enforcement; Recycling & Waste Management.
• Be able to demonstrate competence in use of e-mail and Microsoft applications including Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
• Hold a full current driving licence and access to transport, or access to transport to meet the requirements of the post.
• Ability to work outside of normal office hours, including evenings, weekends and public/bank holidays.