Senior Engineer - Wicklow County Council

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Wicklow

On-site

EUR 65,000 - 90,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Job summary

Wicklow County Council is seeking a Senior Engineer to lead the delivery and development of our directorates in line with the Council’s Corporate Plan. You will work with the Senior Management Team and Elected Members to implement policy, deliver efficient services and drive climate action initiatives.

The role emphasises managing complex projects, coordinating cross-disciplinary teams, and ensuring value for money through robust systems and performance reporting, while upholding governance and

Responsibilities

To understand, interpret and implement the legislative provisions, policy context and operational environment within which the statutory functions and operating requirements the local authority operates.
To determine the nature, level and pattern of demand for the service in the directorate/function and to recommend both service level and strategic policy priorities to the Director of Service.
To implement the agreed strategies to meet and to expand or improve the range, quantity or quality of existing services and to recommend changes in strategies as required.
To implement the requirements of the ‘Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government’ the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and Our Public Service 2020.
To support the work of the Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) and Corporate Policy Group (CPG).
To achieve and maintain the productive association between Elected Members and the executive delivery of the service.
To develop and maintain relationships with government departments and external agencies in accordance with policy and to ensure the agreements to co-ordinate work programmes are implemented.
To achieve and maintain similar co-operation with local development agencies in accordance with evolving policy on the integration of local government and local and community development.
To work effectively with colleagues to deliver services, often as part of a multi- disciplinary team, collaborating and engaging with other teams within the organisation to deliver on the corporate objectives.
To collaborate and engage through cross-disciplinary working to deliver for the public, innovate for the future of local government and develop the people within the organisation.
To set targets, objectives, reporting and key performance indicators and to assist with the development of corporate plans, strategies and annual service plans.
To identify and agree work programmes, targets and deadlines and ensure their subsequent implementation.
To implement the systems necessary and co-ordinate the resources to support the service. This includes systems for budgetary and financial management, procurement and internal controls and to provide information on the pattern of demand and activity, and to schedule work programmes and to ensure value for money.
To manage a portfolio of projects including capital projects and to prioritise and track progress.
To research funding opportunities.
To lead in the duties as part of the organisational response to Climate Action, to promote and ensure capacity building, empowering change and delivering action.
To problem solve in an environment of complex information and multiple stakeholders remaining aware of what information is critical, working to a solution in a logical fashion and understanding the context and impact of decisions made.
To have a good awareness of the political environment and an ability to work effectively with elected public representatives in a manner which facilitates the implementation of policy across a wide range of areas.
Where appropriate to consult and communicate clearly with stakeholders regarding ongoing works including capital works.
To manage and supervise employees up to the position/grade of Senior Executive Engineer or analogous grades and to ensure the training and development of such employees.
To provide leadership and build effective teams, develop motivation and commitment, and maintain sound employee relations and morale in accordance with good employment practice and relevant legislation.
To promote safe work practices in the local authority generally and to ensure that all works in the areas for which you have responsibility are carried out in line with health safety and welfare legislation and regulation.
To ensure compliance with corporate policies (Health and Safety, HR, Data Protection, Child Safeguarding etc.).
To ensure good governance whilst acting in the public interest at all times.
To uphold the corporate values of Local Government and the Council.
To deputise for the Director of Services as required.
To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

Job description

Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 24th September 2026

About the Employer:

County Wicklow is located in the province of Leinster, and has a population of 155,485, 9.2% growth persons as stated in the preliminary 2022 census figures on the CSO website.

Wicklow shares its border with four other counties and has a total land area of 2,027 km². The topography of Wicklow is largely mountainous, with the Wicklow Mountains being the largest continuous upland region in Ireland. Wicklow is the 13th largest of the Republic of Ireland’s 26 Counties and is the 14th largest Local Authority area in terms of population.

Wicklow County Council is the Local Government Authority for County Wicklow and is responsible for the delivery of the full range of services. Wicklow County Council seeks to enhance the county’s attraction as a place in which to invest, work, and live, and takes the lead role in shaping the strategic vision of the county. It provides a diverse, multi-layered and evolving range of services to both citizens and visitors to County Wicklow, which include the provision of housing, planning, development, environmental, roads and traffic, leisure and community services. It also has an enhanced role in leading out economic and community development in the County. The Council works in partnership with other state, public and private bodies in the delivery of critical infrastructure and shared services.

Wicklow County Council has an elected body comprising of 32 elected members and employs a workforce in excess of 900 employees, currently covering 5 Municipal Districts – Bray, Greystones, Wicklow, Arklow and Baltinglass. Our employees work in a dynamic and progressive local authority which promotes training and development of our employees who are our most valuable resource.

The 2026 annual revenue budget for the local authority is approximately €183 million. The Council also continues to invest in the infrastructure of the county and through its Capital Investment Programme.

The day to day running of the Council is the responsibility of the Chief Executive and the Management Team.

About the Role:

Reporting to a Director of Service, the Senior Engineer is charged with the efficient management, direction and development of the directorates/department and function to which they are assigned. Managers at this level work within defined parameters relevant to the position, in accordance with the local authority’s vision and objectives as set out in its Corporate Plan. Delivery of efficient services and value for money is crucial. The Senior Engineer will be required to work closely with the Senior Management Team and Elected Members to deliver the full range of services, implement local policy decisions and deliver on strategic corporate objectives and in accordance with the general policy direction of the elected council at both full Council and Municipal District level.

Recognising Local Government as the main vehicle of governance and public service, the role will involve leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services, and representing citizens and local communities effectively and accountably.

These are experienced managerial positions responsible for leading on policy implementation, service delivery and change management in a dynamic and goal driven environment. These roles offer the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, innovation, agility, and a commitment to customer service. The role of Senior Engineer in a local authority is an excellent opportunity to engage with the active delivery of strategic policy including contributing to a multi-disciplinary approach to Climate Action.

The Senior Engineer duties include but are not limited to the following:

To understand, interpret and implement the legislative provisions, policy context and operational environment within which the statutory functions and operating requirements the local authority operates.
To determine the nature, level and pattern of demand for the service in the directorate/function and to recommend both service level and strategic policy priorities to the Director of Service.
To implement the agreed strategies to meet and to expand or improve the range, quantity or quality of existing services and to recommend changes in strategies as required.
To implement the requirements of the ‘Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government’ the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and Our Public Service 2020.
To support the work of the Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) and Corporate Policy Group (CPG).
To achieve and maintain the productive association between Elected Members and the executive delivery of the service.
To develop and maintain relationships with government departments and external agencies in accordance with policy and to ensure the agreements to co-ordinate work programmes are implemented.
To achieve and maintain similar co-operation with local development agencies in accordance with evolving policy on the integration of local government and local and community development.
To work effectively with colleagues to deliver services, often as part of a multi- disciplinary team, collaborating and engaging with other teams within the organisation to deliver on the corporate objectives.
To collaborate and engage through cross-disciplinary working to deliver for the public, innovate for the future of local government and develop the people within the organisation.
To set targets, objectives, reporting and key performance indicators and to assist with the development of corporate plans, strategies and annual service plans.
To identify and agree work programmes, targets and deadlines and ensure their subsequent implementation.
To implement the systems necessary and co-ordinate the resources to support the service. This includes systems for budgetary and financial management, procurement and internal controls and to provide information on the pattern of demand and activity, and to schedule work programmes and to ensure value for money.
To manage a portfolio of projects including capital projects and to prioritise and track progress.
To research funding opportunities.
To lead in the duties as part of the organisational response to Climate Action, to promote and ensure capacity building, empowering change and delivering action.
To problem solve in an environment of complex information and multiple stakeholders remaining aware of what information is critical, working to a solution in a logical fashion and understanding the context and impact of decisions made.
To have a good awareness of the political environment and an ability to work effectively with elected public representatives in a manner which facilitates the implementation of policy across a wide range of areas.
Where appropriate to consult and communicate clearly with stakeholders regarding ongoing works including capital works.
To manage and supervise employees up to the position/grade of Senior Executive Engineer or analogous grades and to ensure the training and development of such employees.
To provide leadership and build effective teams, develop motivation and commitment, and maintain sound employee relations and morale in accordance with good employment practice and relevant legislation.
To promote safe work practices in the local authority generally and to ensure that all works in the areas for which you have responsibility are carried out in line with health safety and welfare legislation and regulation.
To ensure compliance with corporate policies (Health and Safety, HR, Data Protection, Child Safeguarding etc.).
To ensure good governance whilst acting in the public interest at all times.
To uphold the corporate values of Local Government and the Council.
To deputise for the Director of Services as required.
To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.