Inspector of Navigation – Ref: INAV / 001043
Waterways Ireland
Job Description
JOB TITLE: Inspector of Navigation
SALARY SCALE: €57,432- €66,616
REPORTS TO: Western Regional Manager
STAFFING RESPONSIBILITY: Inspectorate staff
LOCATION: Based in Athlone, Co Westmeath
SUMMARY OF ROLE
The Inspector of Navigation for Waterways Ireland will be responsible for a number of strategic work areas including: the monitoring and management of navigational and recreational activities on all of the navigations, enforcement of Bye-Laws, inspection of aids to navigation and acting as Marine Safety Adviser for the organisation. The Inspector will be responsible for the management of Inspectorate staff and will work closely with Senior Managers and colleagues in Operations to deliver business objectives. They will also represent Waterways Ireland at National and International level pro-actively promoting the interests of all stakeholders, and the navigational and recreational remit of Waterways Ireland.
Inspectorate staff are based in each of Waterways Ireland Operational Regions, Western, Northern and Eastern, and work as part of the management and operational teams in these regions. The Inspector of Navigation is based in Athlone and is part of the Western Region Operations team. In addition the Inspector of Navigation provides a central management support to all Inspectorate staff across their regions.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Recreation on the Waterways
· Lead and manage the implementation of Bye-Laws compliance on our navigations across the island of Ireland, developing and delivering programmes of education and enforcement across each navigation, setting targets and monitoring and reporting on compliance
· Interpretation of legal framework and enforcement of Bye-Laws including removal and storage of craft.
· Lead and manage the delivery of proposals for change to navigational Bye-Laws as necessary across all navigations under the remit of Waterways Ireland to ensure that an appropriate regulatory framework is in place which will facilitate and manage existing and evolving use of the waterways
· Manage the processes for the approval and issue of permits and registrations to all vessels using the Navigations and take the lead on developing systems to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the registration and permit register.
· Provide advice regarding the suitability of applications for licences for businesses to operate on Waterways Ireland managed waterways.
· Prepare and coordinate the delivery of Marine Notices to waterways users while actively enhancing the database of users who receive notices by SMS text, email and on other platforms
· Manage the assessment of applications for events seeking approval to run on Waterways Ireland managed waterways.
· Develop, train and support staff to deliver enhanced Bye Law compliance – education and enforcement programmes
· Develop each regional Inspectorate staff's role to deliver routine water based patrols and inspections of aids to navigation and marine facilities along navigations, providing fault /damage reporting to operations colleagues
· Organise and deliver, in partnership with appropriate stakeholders, a recreational boating and water safety campaign, annually
· Develop and deliver appropriate data capture to provide information on boat usage of the waterways which will inform decisions on capital development Projects
Marine Safety
· Develop and deliver policy in the area of marine safety for Waterways Ireland
· Review water based training needs for Waterways Ireland. Develop a training needs analysis to meet business needs to inform the Waterways Ireland Health and Safety Training agenda
· Develop, agree and deliver a programme of Marine Health and Safety Audits annually
· Investigate and report on boating and other water related accidents and/or incidents and liaise with the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (ROI) and the Marine Accident Investigation Board (NI) as required.
· Work closely with Waterways Ireland Mechanical and Electrical Section to ensure that all Waterways Ireland vessels are appropriately registered/licensed and compliant with relevant regulatory frameworks
· Prepare and coordinate the delivery of Internal Marine Notices to Waterways Ireland staff in noted safety roles including Boatmasters and Boat Persons
Representing Waterways Ireland
· Represent Waterways Ireland at a National and International level and liaise with relevant authorities in discharging Waterways Ireland business and interests including; the Marine Survey Office and the Marine Safety Directorate of the Department of Transport, Heritage and Sport (ROI) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency ( N.I.) and Irish Water Safety.
· Represent Waterways Ireland on the Marine Safety Working Group of the Department of Transport, Heritage and Sport as well as other National Bodies, promoting the interests of Waterways Ireland and contributing to the development of National policy
· Liaise with internal stakeholders across the organisation as well as external stakeholders including groups such as IWAI, IBRA, HBA, RCAG, ECBA and RBLNA regarding the service provided and support given.
· Represent Waterways Ireland in legal proceedings as required
The above is given as a broad range of duties and is not intended to be a complete description of all tasks.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they meet the eligibility and essential criteria in their application form. Desirable criteria may be used as necessary in the selection process.
Eligibility
Applicants must
1) Hold a National Framework of Qualification level 8 qualification (Honours Bachelor Degree) in a nautical, marine or other relevant* discipline
AND
Hold or have recently held (in the last 5 years) a relevant managerial position in an enforcement agency e.g., navigation authority, coast guard or health and safety agency, with specific responsibility for marine assets and safety, for a minimum of 2 years
OR
2) Be serving or have served on permanent and full-time military service and hold, or have held, the commissioned naval rank of at least lieutenant and have at least 4 year’s satisfactory sea-service including two years as a ship’s Executive Officer.
OR
3) Hold or have recently (in the last 5 years) held a relevant managerial position in an enforcement agency e.g., navigation authority, coast guard or health and safety agency, with specific responsibility for marine assets and safety, for a minimum of 5 years
AND
Hold a valid driver’s licence and access to a form of transport which will facilitate the post holder in addressing duties and responsibilities across the island of Ireland.
Note to applicants
Applications will also be considered from candidates with relevant formal qualifications considered to be of an equivalent or higher standard to those stated above.
*It is for the applicant to demonstrate the relevancy of the degree to the post advertised
Essential Criteria
Applicants must demonstrate
· Knowledge and experience of implementing Marine Safety Codes of Practice
· Up to date knowledge of boat construction and marine engines
· A working knowledge and awareness of Health Safety and Welfare practice and legislation in EU and UK and/or ROI
· At least 2 years experience in a management role with responsibility for staff, budgets and other resources
· Experience in dealing with external stakeholders at a senior level including Government Departments and national interest groups
· Experience in developing, interpreting and implementing legislative frameworks
· Have held a position of responsibility for Marine Health and Safety delivery
Desirable Criteria
· Certificate of Competency as Master or Chief Officer STCW, as amended, Reg. II/2, for vessels of 3000 Gross Tonnage or more in the unlimited trading area, valid for service or eligible to be validated for service, in the Merchant Marine and have satisfactory watch keeping experience in a senior capacity
· Have satisfactory experience in ship operation, maintenance and management
Competencies
Applicants must be able to demonstrate the following competencies in their application form and at interview.
· The ability to contribute to the development of policies, corporate and business plans and service provision to meet the diverse needs of the business based on an up-to-date knowledge of needs, issues and relevant good practice.
· The ability to ensure that relevant individual and organisational learning, development and training needs are fully assessed and addressed in order to ensure organisational compliance and enhance organisational capability.
· The ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing to a range of audiences including senior management and Government Departments and to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and presentational skills
· The ability to influence, negotiate and maintain effective working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, undertaking activities to engage and build trust and to promote the interests of the organisation in the delivery of policy and business outcomes
· The ability to plan, monitor, evaluate and control the use of resources and identify future resources requirements in line with organisational procedures and plans and hold team to account
· The ability to develop, implement, maintain and review systems, manual and technological, in tandem with service standards to provide quality, efficiency and value for money
· The ability to meet customer needs through monitoring and maintaining service delivery, initiating, planning and implementing change and improvements in services and systems
· The ability to seek, evaluate, analyse and exchange information in order to solve problems and make decisions
· Must be able to demonstrate strong technical skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Access
· The ability to plan, prioritise and organise own workload and that of administrative support staff
· The ability to interpret, and advise on, a legislative framework and to put in place strategies for control and enforcement as necessary
A Panel will be drawn up from the successful applicants and will be held for a 12 month period.