Professional and Technical
Energy Manager
€57,336 - LSI2 €79,701 Circular Letter EL 02/2024

Annual Salary
Galway

Job Summary

Climate Change is now a major consideration in all policies and proposals of Local Authorities. The National Adaptation Framework was published in January 2018 and this together with the Low Carbon and Climate Development Act 2015 provide the context within which Local Authorities are obliged to prepare Climate Action Plans. In 2016 the Department of Communications Climate Action and Energy agreed to fund four Climate Action Regional Offices to link and bring together the expertise and capacity in the Local Authorities whilst also providing a focus for linkages with Central Government Departments, Regional Assemblies, Public Representatives, Agencies, and other relevant bodies.
Galway City Council seeks to take a significant leadership role in this area and we are currently establishing a Climate Action Team to lead and coordinate activities within the City Council and to link with the CARO and other Sectoral adaptation strategies as appropriate.
Reporting to the Climate Action Coordinator, the Energy Manager will Support Galway City Council in leading and influencing Low carbon transition, improve energy efficiency, incorporate renewables and reduce emissions and assist in developing the implementation of the Galway City Council response to the challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
This is a challenging and exciting position and requires a both a good technical knowledge of climate change and energy generation, the risks and possible adaptation strategies, and a strong project management skill set for the appraisal, management, procurement and implementation of energy efficiency, renewable energy and green tech projects.
The role requires a good knowledge of the operation of local authorities and their role and interactions with Government Departments in terms of governance, finance, and reporting structures. Climate Change funding can be made available through a variety of European and national funding streams and therefore, knowledge of potential funding streams and of the processes involved in applying for such funding will be important.

The Energy Manager will work as part of a multi-disciplined Climate Action team and provide support across the service area.
The successful candidate will be required to report to their appropriate line manager, assist the management team as required, and deal with various internal and external stakeholders including Elected Members in respect of the City and attend Council meetings as required.
The key responsibilities of the post include, but are not limited to: -

(i) Strategy Development and Management:

working as part of a dedicated Climate Action Team across all of Galway City Council business units
• assist in the formulating strategies to meet the objectives and aims of the CCAP (Climate Change Action Plan) , including leading on the energy area, developing and implementing relevant projects and identifying additional sources of funding to progress these projects
• Contribute to the implementation and management of projects, plans and processes.

(ii) Communication and Stakeholder Engagement:

• promoting and supporting a greater understanding of Climate Change issues in the City Council and Climate Action in general;
• promoting and supporting a greater understanding of Climate Change issues in communities and businesses including supporting relevant community initiatives, public outreach programmes, and business initiatives;
• ongoing engagement with all stakeholders (i.e. environmental organisations, business and community groups, etc.) including elected members of the local authority;
• providing support and input to the Climate Action Groups and co coordinating with each business unit within the local authority;
• foster and maintain working relationships with government departments and EU agencies;
• foster and maintain wide ranging productive working relationships with 3rd level institutions;

• demonstration of a high level of negotiation, influencing and communication skills and influence multi-stakeholder processes;
• ensure detailed reports are submitted in a timely manner.

(iii) Information:

• maintain an awareness of new policies, legislation and directives relating to energy, climate action and review the implications of these new documents;
• contribute to the identification of new areas of research related to energy climate action and the local government sector.

(iv) Staff/Office Management:

• database compilation, maintenance and analysis; assist in the establishment of efficient and effective working structures, performance management systems;
  • assist in the management of financial and budgetary requirements for the office including putting internal controls and robust governance structures in place;
  • ensure the office meets all requirements in relation to health and safety legislation and regulations.

(v) Interpersonal

• demonstrate strong judgement and problem-solving skills as well as the capacity to work autonomously;
• effect and/or influence behavioural change;
• be a good team player.

Any other duties as may be required by the lead local authority.