Assistant Scientist

Description:

The Assistant Scientist will work as part of multi-disciplinary teams within the Environment Department of Meath County Council.
The role requires comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended, and the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977-1990, as amended, and the associated enforcement obligations of a Local Authority.
The Assistant Scientist shall operate under the direction of and report to the Senior Executive Engineer and must undertake those duties as assigned to them by their Supervisor. The Assistant Scientist shall also report to the Senior Executive Office and Director of Service of the section to which they are assigned or any other person designated by the Director of Service.
The role requires flexibility in terms of working hours as the duties may involve working outside of normal office hours, as required.
Key general duties include:
Work to enforce EU and national environmental legislation and policy with particular reference to the Waste Management Act and the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, as amended, and related legislation;
Carry out investigations, audits and prepare reports on official complaints received from the public in respect of illegal waste or water pollution activities which may be in breach of EU and national legislation;
Appoint and manage environmental consultants and contractors carrying out Risk Assessment, Intrusive Site investigations and Environmental Sampling;
Prepare summary and indictable files for submitting to Legal Advisors and the DPP for the prosecution of offences in breach of environmental legislation. To attend District Court and Circuit Court representing Meath County Council as expert witness for criminal proceedings;
Participate in National Working Groups relating to waste, air, noise, water quality, wastewater treatment systems, as appropriate;
To assist with profile-raising and awareness relating to waste prevention, recycling, illegal dumping, water quality issues through media and elsewhere through radio/TV interviews, press releases/articles, electronic media and talks, in line with the communications plan;
Co-ordinate the data requirements for the RMCEI plan and NEMIS system;
Carry out Health and Safety duties including toolbox talks, risk assessments, method statements and incident reporting;
Supervise staff and ensure compliance with Meath County Councils health and safety protocols and standards;
Assist the Council’s H&S Co-ordinator in the implementation of ISO45001 and IS014001;
Prepare tender requests for services and purchase of instruments and materials;
Use Technology such as Drones, Survey Equipment, Overt and Covert CCTV to detect environmental breaches;
Any other duties as may be assigned to the officer from time to time by the local authority and may include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be assigned to them in relation to the area of any other local authority
If assigned to the Waste Enforcement section duties will include:
Assist the Waste Enforcement Team in the creation of team plans, workplans and procedures including the Recommended Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections (RMCEI) Plan and directions from the Regional WERLA Office;
Carry out and assess Environmental Risk Assessments of Unauthorised Waste Disposal Landfills;
Conduct site Monitoring, inspection and audits of Waste Facility Permit/Certificate of Registration Sits and preparation of reports;
Review and validate Annual Return data submitted by Waste Collection Permit Holders to the National Waste Permit Office. To liaise with the EPA, NWCPO, WERLA on priority waste collectors;
Review and validate the data provided by the Waste Facility Permit/ Certificate of Registration holders against the National Waste Permit Office returns;
Assess and examine Waste Facility Permit /Certificate of Registration applications under the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations 2007;
Liaise with the National Waste Collection Permit Office in relation to permit queries and ensure waste collectors are compliant with their returns;
Monitor and inspect Development Sites to assess Construction Environmental Management Plans and Waste Management Plans;
Implement Environment legislation relating to Producer Responsibility Initiatives;
Carry out inspections and audits relating to the Landfill Levy Regulations 2002, as amended;
Carry out investigations, audits and prepare reports on official complaints received from the public in respect of Air and Noise Complaints, Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations, Air Pollution Act 1987, Solid Fuel Regulations 2022 and the EPA Act 1992;
Oversee the management of Civic Amenity Sites and Bring Banks owned by Meath County Council;
Carry out investigations, audits and prepare reports on the Waste Regulations (non-exhaustive list) Commercial Food Waste Regulations, Household Food Waste Regulations, Household and Hazardous Waste, Mercury Regulations, Waste Planning, Assessment of Historic landfills;
Assist in joint road checkpoints and reports.
If assigned to the Water Quality section duties will include:
Assist the Water Quality Team in the creation of team plans, workplans and procedures including the Recommended Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections (RMCEI) Plan.
Carry out Statutory Septic Tank inspections under the EPA’s National Inspection Plan and use EPA Apps for uploading of Septic Tank and incident inspections;
Perform Farm inspections and cross compliance reporting of offending farms as required by the GAP Regulations;
Engage with farmers to identify and manage risks to water quality arising from their farming operations;
Review planning applications regarding water quality issues and compliance;
Assist with the Statutory Water Framework Directive sampling programme and ensure that it is completed to a high standard;
Perform moderate to complex sampling investigations for river assessment work and water pollution incidents.