Team Leader for Health and Wellbeing
Job description and general notes
1. Introduction
The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) is a cross-sectoral support
service under the remit of the Teacher Education Section (TES) of the Department of
Education and Skills (DES) which offers professional development support to primary and
post-primary teachers and school leaders. The work of the PDST contributes to school
improvement by providing high quality Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on
curricular and educational issues, fostering reflective practice and ongoing development
among teachers and school leaders.
Amongst the priorities for the Department of Education and Skills for the coming years is
the implementation of proposals to improve Literacy and Numeracy in both primary and
post-primary schools. Other key priorities include supporting school leadership, school selfevaluation, health and wellbeing and post primary subjects and programmes. The primary
role of the Health and Wellbeing team within PDST is to provide continuing professional
development and support to all schools towards the development and promotion of
students’ mental, emotional, social, sexual, personal and physical health and well-being in
the context of a positive health-promoting school environment. The PDST currently has a
full-time secondment opportunity for the position of Team Leader for Health and Wellbeing.
2. Competition
The Team Leader for Health and Wellbeing will be responsible for the leading, planning,
development and delivery of continuing professional development (CPD) and support for
primary and post-primary teachers in a range of areas associated with Health and
Wellbeing. These include Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE), Relationships and
Sexuality Education (RSE), Child Protection, Stay Safe, Walk Tall, Substance Use, and Physical
Education (PE). Working collaboratively with other members of the management team,
he/she will contribute to the development of the Professional Development Service for
Teachers (PDST) including the identification of priorities and targets; the development and
implementation of service plans; and the governance of the organisation. S/he will be
contracted on a secondment basis to Dublin West Education Centre.
The Team Leader for Health and Wellbeing will lead and manage a cross sectoral team of
PDST advisors. S/he will work as part of a middle management team and will report directly
to the senior management team of Deputy Directors and the National Director.
The Team Leader will provide local, regional and national professional development and
support for teachers and school leaders in priority educational areas.
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3. Job description
The Team Leader for Health and Wellbeing will have responsibility for:
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leading and managing the team of full time Health and Wellbeing advisors and parttime personnel
leading and managing the design and delivery of Health and Wellbeing CPD
(seminars, workshops , on-line support) including all CPD associated with the PDST
Physical Literacy Framework.
planning, scheduling, monitoring and evaluating national and regional Health and
Wellbeing CPD events and national initiatives(e.g. Points for Life, Get Active, Physical
Activity & Food and Nutrition) in collaboration with relevant agencies.
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co-ordinating local communities of practice and capacity building initiatives related
to various aspects of Health and Wellbeing
managing school support applications for Health and wellbeing areas and allocating
caseload to advisors
monitoring , recording and extraction of CPD support data entered by the Health
and Wellbeing team into the PDST Data Management System
developing resources and materials for use in schools and classrooms (e.g. Personal
Safety lessons for Senior Cycle, Fundamental Movement Skills resource for infant to
sixth classes)
managing the Health and Wellbeing budget line including preparation of the annual
budget and monitoring of expenditure
co-ordinating the training and development of the Health and Wellbeing team and
associates
providing resources for the team of Health and Wellbeing advisors
planning induction and training of new members to the Health and Wellbeing team
supporting the integration of ICT into teaching and learning of Health and Wellbeing
related subjects ( SPHE, PE etc.)
maintaining the Health and Wellbeing section of the PDST website
supporting the senior management team in co-ordinating the work of PDST
liaising and working with educational bodies/third level institutions as appropriate as
well as relevant agencies ( HSE, NEPS, NOSP, NBSS, SESS, NCCA )
undertaking administrative tasks as required by senior management
writing reports and managing documentation
organising and maintaining effective communication
The responsibilities of the Team Leader may vary in accordance with emerging needs and
priorities and as assigned by the National Director
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4. Range of knowledge, experience and skills
The ideal candidate will possess a range of competencies and skills to support the role, in
particular:
Required:
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excellent interpersonal and networking skills
excellent leadership, management, communication, planning and organisational skills with a
proven track record
excellent negotiation, staff management and motivation skills, and proven ability to lead and
manage change
a strong work ethic
a range of teaching experience, good knowledge of national curricula, the operation of
schools and relevant legislation (including Section 24 of the Education Act 1998)
a knowledge of the education system and knowledge of current and emerging education
research issues
an understanding of the central components of effective teaching and learning including
assessment of and for learning, active learning methodologies, curriculum integration and
the promotion of higher order thinking skills
knowledge and experience of effective teacher education, school leadership, school selfevaluation and school improvement strategies
flexibility to meet the needs of the organisation, including a willingness to engage in travel
and/or evening work as necessary
ability to pro-actively organise and coordinate the work of others
capacity to work independently and as part of a team
an enterprising approach to tasks and the capability to undertake the innovative and
challenging elements of the work.
Desired:
 proficiency in ICT and a knowledge of on-line learning
 project management and project delivery skills
 experience in the design, development and provision of teacher professional
development including evidence of a capacity to mobilise and support teacher
reflection, enquiry and school-based research
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Experience of teaching through Irish, fluency in the language and willingness to work
through the language of Irish.
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5. Location
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Successful candidates will be seconded to Dublin West Education Centre and will
report to the PDST Management team
Administrative support for the work of the Team Leader will be provided through
Dublin West Education Centre.
It will not be a requirement that the Team Leader be based in Dublin West Education
Centre. S/he will however, be expected to travel there and elsewhere as is necessary
Successful candidates will be required to have their own means of transport and to
possess and retain a full driving licence.
Public sector travel and subsistence rates will apply. Travel and subsistence will be
calculated from home or the local Education Centre, whichever is nearest to the
venue.
6. Eligibility
 This post is open to all qualified teachers who hold a recognised post in a recognised
primary or post primary school, and are fully registered with the Teaching Council
under Regulation 2 and/or Regulation 4 of the Teaching Council (Registration)
Regulations 2009 or are on secondment from such a post
 Any offer of appointment will only be made where it is considered that a suitable
candidate for the post exists
 The appointment is subject to the sanction of the Minister for Education and Skills.
No definitive offer of appointment can be made before sanction is given
 The appointment is on a secondment basis, subject to contract. The successful
candidate will be appointed as soon as possible, with a possibility of further
extensions available in line with normal procedures for secondments, to a maximum
of 5 years and subject to organisational needs and satisfactory performance
 The contract will provide for on-going performance review
 Health, sick leave and general work record must be satisfactory
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The appointment is subject to Garda Vetting clearance.
7. Salary
The salary for a Team Leader is in accordance with Category 3 as provided for by the 2003
Arbitration Award in respect of teachers on secondment, subject to the conditions outlined
below. Remuneration is at all times subject to the relevant DES or Department of Public
Expenditure and Reform regulations.
A Team Leader is entitled to all of the following:
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her/his relevant point on the Teachers’ Common Basic Scale, plus
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an honours primary degree allowance
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an honours Higher Diploma in Education allowance
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the standard Category 3 secondment allowance, which is pensionable (see table
below)
Table 1:
Seconded PDST
Category Position
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Team
Leader
Teachers’
Common Basic
Scale
As applicable
Honours
Degree
Allowance
€4,918pa
01/01/2010
Honours
H.D.E.
allowance
€1,236pa
01/01/2010
Standard
Secondment
Allowance
€13,146pa
01/01/2010
Note: Circular 0053/2014 refers
Post of responsibility allowances will not be payable to seconded personnel who are in
receipt of the above secondment allowances.
8. Selection procedure
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Applications should be made by submission of a completed application form. This
should be submitted in electronic format to [email protected] by 5pm on
Tuesday 8 September
Late applications will not be considered.
A selection committee will be established to carry out all aspects of the selection
process.
Shortlisting may apply.
It is the responsibility of the candidates to make themselves available for interview,
if invited to attend. Candidates should note that it may not be possible to provide an
alternative date.
Those called for interview will be asked to make a 5 minute presentation to the
interview panel focusing on the applicant’s vision for the position and the
contribution they could make to teacher development with the PDST.
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Candidates will be responsible for all expenses incurred in connection with their application
and interview.
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This interview will be competency based in line with the skills outlined in part 4
above of the job description.
A panel may be formed from which future vacancies may be filled.
Canvassing directly or indirectly will disqualify applications.
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9. Release from present post
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It is a matter for successful candidates to secure the agreement of their school
authorities for release to take up a post for the period concerned.
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Successful candidates will be expected to be available to take up appointment as soon as
possible.
Commitment of release from your employer will be required. On receipt of an offer the
successful candidate will be asked to seek immediate confirmation from his/her
employer (e.g. Chairperson of the Board of Management). This signed statement should
indicate that the employer (e.g. Chairperson of the Board of Management) is in a
position to release the successful applicant.
10. Queries
Any queries in relation to this document should be emailed to [email protected]
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