000506 Scientific Officer/Inspector I (Level 3) General

Our client the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are currently accepting applications for the position of Scientific Officer/Inspector I (Level 3) General.

Overview of the Role:

The EPA will form a panel from this recruitment campaign from which future Scientific Officer/Inspector I (Level 3) vacancies may be filled.

The successful candidate(s) will lead a team in the programme area to which they are assigned and must demonstrate a record of achievement that demonstrates their leadership capability to deliver in this challenging role. They will have responsibility for managing people and projects and implementation of the Annual Work Programme of the office to which they are assigned and contribute to the management and continuous improvement of the programme area.

The successful candidate(s) will lead a team to implement the EPA's statutory functions, in such areas as licensing, enforcement, scientific evaluation/assessment, circular economy, climate science, data assessment and reporting. They will become a subject matter expert in the assigned area as well as providing advice, support, training and coaching to team members.

Reporting Arrangements:

The appointee will be assigned a technical role with management responsibilities, reporting to a relevant Manager and will be a member of a multi-disciplinary team.

Depending on the role assigned, the successful candidate will manage a team and will lead out on some of the following key areas:

1. Monitoring, inspecting and auditing EPA regulated facilities;
2. Assessing, analysing and reporting on environmental and market data including preparing national reports, data releases, identifying national and sectoral trends, insights and forecasts;
3. Carrying out Environmental Impact Assessments and appropriate assessments;
4. Assessing and processing authorisation applications for Industrial, Waste, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Dumping at Sea, Urban Wastewater, Combustion Plant and Green House Gases (GHG), EU-Emissions Trading Scheme, historical landfills, certificates of registration or equivalent;
5. Carrying out regulatory assessments and decision making, such as end of waste and by-products, to support transition to a circular economy;
6. Responsibilities could also be in areas such as market surveillance, hazardous waste and chemical regulation, environmental monitoring and assessment, food waste prevention, and green public procurement;
7. Development and delivery of technical guidance and/or training relating to stakeholders;
8. Enforcing licence conditions and/or regulations in sectors such as industry, waste, waste water, drinking water and radiological protection including participating in legal proceedings;
9. Collaborating with other regulators, non-government organisations, advocacy groups and the public, at national and European level.

General duties may include:

1. Managing staff and fostering EPA values;
2. Develop and deliver annual work programmes, including monitoring and evaluating progress and performance; managing staff and contractors; budget preparation, management and control;
3. Developing and implementing work programmes;
4. Leading, motivating and developing staff through a performance management and development system (PMDS);
5. Active involvement in cross office initiatives and working groups;
6. Establishing and managing contracts for external resources and support;
7. Developing and maintaining a clear understanding of relevant law and environmental case law (national and international);
8. Preparation and presentation of updates and recommendations to the Board of the EPA;
9. Writing reports and presenting work to a variety of audiences;
10. Analysing and interpreting complex environmental issues to make clear, practical recommendations;
11. Dealing with the public, the media and various external stakeholders;
12. Participating in EU, national and/or other expert groups and committees;
13. Overseeing adherence to safety, health and welfare protocols;
14. Undertaking such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Essential Requirements:

1. An appropriate qualification (minimum NFQ Level 8) in Science, Engineering or in another relevant discipline.
2. Candidates must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in two or more of the following:
1. Significant experience and expertise in the environmental regulation of industrial/waste/water/energy services activities, such as experience in implementing regulation in an Irish or European context;
2. Expert knowledge of, and experience in the interpretation and application of EU and national environmental legislation including but not limited to: EPA Act 1992, Waste Management Act 1996, Industrial Emissions Directive, Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, Circular Economy Act 2023, EIA and Habitats legislation;
3. Knowledge of environmental policy including climate, circular economy, waste, energy, water and agriculture;
4. Significant technical experience (operation, inspection or auditing) of industrial, waste, drinking water or wastewater facilities, local authority statutory performance including knowledge of abatement technologies and environmental protection practices;
5. Significant technical experience in waste management systems, data analysis, climate/circular economy regulatory assessments, waste prevention activities for priority waste areas, evidence gathering or climate science and systems.
3. Demonstrate a proven track record of leading a team to successfully deliver complex projects and/or business goals;
4. Demonstrated ability to analyse, interpret and communicate complex environmental regulatory issues and develop practical approaches to address them.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex environmental issues clearly and effectively to a range of audiences in written and verbal format;
6. Driving Licence - Applicants should at the date of applying hold a full valid Irish /EU licence, for Class B vehicles, or a licence acceptable to NDLS for transfer to full Irish licence.

Eligibility to Compete and Certain Restrictions on Eligibility:

Eligible candidates must be:

1. A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway;
2. A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK);
3. A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons;
4. A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 or a Stamp 5 visa.

Selection information note for the post:

The EPA will use the essential and desirable criteria to shortlist candidates and scoring will be based on the information contained in the application form for the role of Inspector/Scientific Officer III (Level 5) General.

Applicants must demonstrate, by reference to specific achievements in their career to date that they possess the qualities, skills and knowledge required for the role Inspector/Scientific Officer III (Level 5) General as identified in the 'Essential requirements'.

The EPA will convene an expert board to carry out the competitive stages of the selection process to the highest standard of best practice.

Required Competencies:

1. Team Leadership
2. Interpersonal & Communication Skills
3. Customer and Stakeholder Focus
4. Management & Delivery of Results
5. Judgement, Analysis & Decision Making
6. Specialist Knowledge/Expertise and Self-development

How to apply:

Application Forms and Candidate Information Booklets are available from the careers section on the EPA website

Please note that cover letters and CVs are not required and should not be submitted. Only applications submitted by email on the official EPA application form for this competition will be accepted. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date and late applications will be ineligible for consideration. Therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have allowed adequate transmission time for receipt of your application. Applicants must ensure they retain a copy of the email submitted, including the date and time in case of any queries. Canvassing is prohibited.

Application forms must be completed and sent to .

Important Note: Closing Date for Applications is 4.00pm on Wednesday 15th January 2025.