Urban Designer South Dublin County Council Opportunity starts here South Dublin County Council (SDCC) is responsible for local government in South Dublin County and is an equal opportunities employer. SDCC offers a diverse work environment, flexible and blended working arrangements, career progression, structured training, personal development, coaching and mentoring. Applications Applications will only be accepted through SDCCs e-Recruitment system before midnight on Thursday, 5 February 2026. The role The Urban Designer will report to their line manager and be responsible for implementing programmes of work in the Planning Department, having regard to national policy to achieve compact growth in the context of quality placemaking. The role involves working both independently and within a multi-disciplinary team to bring forward high-quality plans and projects, including work related to: Development Management Forward Planning and Active Land Management Delivery of Plans Communication of Urban Design Principles The post is wholetime, permanent and pensionable. A panel will be formed to fill permanent and temporary vacancies. Post holders may be required to work in any location within the South Dublin administrative area. Salary €59,658 €61,829 €64,000 €66,175 €68,349 €70,521 €72,696 €74,857 €77,043 €79,209 €81,706 (1st LSI) €82,929 (2nd LSI). Hours of work Normal hours: 35 hours per week (SDCC reserves the right to alter hours from time to time). Annual leave Annual leave entitlement: 30 days. Qualifications Character Candidates must be of good character. Health Candidates must be in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of regular and efficient service. Essential education, training and experience On the latest date for receipt of completed applications, candidates must: Hold a primary honours degree (Level 8 NFQ) in a relevant built environment subject and a postgraduate qualification in Urban Design. Have at least three years satisfactory post-qualification experience in urban design and placemaking, and possess excellent communication skills including report writing and graphics. Possess good organisational and management skills. Desirable education, training and experience Good understanding of the social, environmental and economic considerations that contribute to good placemaking. Ability to communicate urban design ideas visually through relevant software, including 3D representation. Good research skills, including the ability to carry out high-quality background research and urban design analysis with report writing experience. Understanding of the current national policy environment as it relates to planning, and ability to advance local policy development related to urban design. Enterprising, innovative, and capable of working to a brief on own initiative. Understanding of local authority services and structures in Ireland, particularly the planning function, or the ability to quickly acquire this. Full driving licence, free from endorsement. Key competencies / skills Management and change Delivering results Performance through people Personal effectiveness Local government knowledge and understanding Candidates are asked to provide examples demonstrating behaviours, skills and attitudes that show effective performance in these areas. Duties (indicative, not exhaustive) Provide urban design advice and input into statutory deliverables (e.g. plans required by planning legislation) and non-statutory deliverables (e.g. masterplans, urban framework plans, site briefs, design statements). Advise on formulation of urban design policy and development guidance for the County Development Plan and other plans and projects. Provide urban design support and training for the Development Management team to enhance proficiency in assessing relevant planning applications. Take responsibility for project management on specific projects. Provide urban design input to local delivery of national programmes and funding applications such as the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), Town and Village Renewal Scheme and other relevant programmes. Promote best practice in urban design, including people-centred urban design and healthy placemaking, to support sustainable, inclusive, well-designed settlements resilient to climate change and responsive to growing populations. Prepare reports and communications (including visual formats) to an excellent standard for colleagues, external stakeholders and the public. Attend executive and Council meetings to provide urban design advice as required. Carry out other duties as may be assigned from time to time under general guidance. SDCC is an equal opportunities employer and canvassing will automatically disqualify. SDCC Additional Information Booklet Key Recruitment Details SDCC is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will automatically disqualify. Recruitment process Selection is by competition based on interview (face-to-face or via Microsoft Teams, as decided by SDCC). SDCC does not cover expenses incurred in attending interviews. Applicants should be available for interview any time after the closing date. Non-attendance disqualifies further consideration. Interview results will be published on) Rolling recruitment Only electronic applications via SDCCs e-Recruitment system are accepted. Rolling recruitment competitions have no closing date and remain open until sufficient applications are received. They may close temporarily at short notice for shortlisting, then re-open. Rolling basis is clearly indicated in advertisements. Submit applications as soon as possible. Shortlisting SDCC reserves the right to shortlist via desktop review or preliminary interviews based on application form information and vacancy numbers. Provide detailed, accurate qualifications and experience, fully completing competency questions with appropriate examples scaled to the role. Panels Panels formed from interviews last one year. Panel members meeting qualifications may be appointed to vacancies during that period. Acceptance of offer Appointees must take up posts within a reasonable period determined by SDCC or forfeit the offer. Pre-employment checks Medical examination by a practitioner nominated by SDCC. Two satisfactory references from responsible persons (not relatives), at least one from a current employer. Garda Vetting under the National Vetting Bureau Act 20122016. Inaccurate or misleading information leads to disqualification, employment withdrawal or dismissal. Citizenship Critical Skills Occupations Must hold a Critical Skills Employment Permit (Stamp 1G) by application date and ensure the post is on the Critical Skills Occupations List. Non-Critical Skills Occupations Must be, by application date: EEA citizen (EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway). UK citizen. Swiss citizen under EUSwitzerland free movement agreement. Non-EEA spouse/child of EEA/UK/Swiss citizen with Stamp 4 visa. Person awarded international protection under International Protection Act 2015 (or family member with Stamp 4 visa via reunification). Non-EEA parent of dependent child who is EEA/UK/Swiss citizen resident in Ireland with Stamp 4 visa. For relief positions, Stamp 2 (student) visa holders may work up to 20 hours/week. Blended working SDCC operates a Blended Working Policy under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Suitable roles may allow up to 2 remote days/week, subject to operational needs. Arrangements start after 6 months continuous employment for onboarding and integration. Probation New appointees serve a 1-year probation (extendable by Chief Executive). Termination possible with 1 weeks notice. Assessments occur during probation. Previous local authority probationers are exempt. Salary / wages Entry point determined by Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage circulars. Non-serving local authority employees post-1 January 2011 enter at minimum scale point. Rates adjusted per government policy. Duties Under Local Government Act 2001 Section 159(3) & (4), employees perform executive, administrative, technical or management duties under the Chief Executives direction, including servicing committees and exercising delegated powers. Holders may act for higher officers if required. Residence Officers must reside in the district or within a reasonable distance as determined by SDCC. Outside employment No private practice or outside business that interferes with official duties. Superannuation contribution Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 applies. Rates: Class A PRSI: 1.5% pensionable remuneration + 3.5% net pensionable remuneration. Class D PRSI: 5% pensionable remuneration. Spouses and Childrens / Widows and Orphans Contributory Pension Scheme applies. New entrants join Single Public Service Pension Scheme. Minimum 2 years service for pension. 2025 Rates and Thresholds Local Government Superannuation Scheme members: €0€34,500: 0% €34,500€60,000: 10% Over €60,000: 10.5% Single Public Sector Pension Scheme members: €0€34,500: 0% €34,500€60,000: 3.33% Over €60,000: 3.5% Retirement age No mandatory retirement for new entrants (per Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004). Non-new entrants retire at 65 (or per circulars). Maximum 70 for new entrants. SDCC may refer staff to medical advisor for fitness assessment. ISER retirees (per DoF Circular 12/09) are debarred from same sector roles.