Access Officer

The Access Officer will ensure Galway City Council meets its statutory obligations under the Disability Act 2005 by facilitating access to services, buildings, information, and public spaces for people with disabilities. The Access Officer will champion universal design, promote inclusive practices, and support staff and service users in achieving accessibility goals. The Access Officer will also assist in the implementation of the Galway City & County Age Friendly Strategy 2026 – 2031 and provide support and facilitation to the Galway City Older Persons Council.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic & Operational Duties

• Act as the designated Access Officer under Section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005
• Develop and implement a Galway City Council Accessibility Strategy and Universal Design Action Plan
• Advise Departments on inclusive service delivery, built environment accessibility, and reasonable accommodations
• Monitor compliance with relevant legislation (e.g., Disability Act, Equal Status Acts, Building Regulations)
• Coordinate access audits of Council buildings, facilities, and public spaces
• Liaise with project managers (architects, engineers, and planners) to ensure accessibility in capital projects
• Support procurement processes to include accessibility criteria
• Support the implementation of the Galway City & County Age Friendly Strategy 2026 – 2031 and provide support to the Galway City Older Persons Council including facilitation of monthly meetings and events
• Co-ordinate activities for Positive Ageing Week and assist with proposals for The Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards
• Liaise with Age Friendly Homes Officer to provide supports and guidance
• Manage and co-ordinate the inter-departmental Age Friendly and Accessibility group
• Manage an Access fund to support community initiatives to enhance accessibility

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the first point of contact for accessibility and older persons queries and complaints from the public
• Engage with disability advocacy groups, service users, and community organisations
• Facilitate monthly Older Persons Council meetings and support quarterly meetings of the Age Friendly Alliance
• Deliver training and awareness programmes for Council staff
• Represent Galway City Council on regional and national access forums
• Establish and co-ordinate Disability & Inclusion Steering Committee of the local authority and external stakeholder representatives as a sub group of the Local Community Development Committee

Reporting & Evaluation

• Maintain records of accessibility requests, complaints, and resolutions
• Prepare annual reports on accessibility progress and challenges
• Contribute to the Council’s Disability Equality Action Plan and Public Sector Duty reporting
• Compliance with monitoring and reporting frameworks for accessibility compliance

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

1.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2.     Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3.     Citizenship:

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

                 i.          A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

               ii.          A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

             iii.          A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

             iv.          A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

               v.          A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa  or

             vi.          A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa

4.     Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(1)       (a) Have obtained at least Grade D (or a pass), in Higher or Ordinary level, in five subjects (or four subjects if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics,

AND

(b) Have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in Higher Level (or Honours) papers in three subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics), or,

(2) Have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination, or,

(3) Hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard.

AND

(4) Have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate

practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff.

Driving Licence Requirement Applicants should at the date of applying hold a full unendorsed valid Irish /EU licence, for Class B vehicles, or a licence acceptable to NDLS for transfer to full Irish licence, (Link below).

https://www.ndls.ie/help/faq.html#exchange-of-foreign-driving-licences

Desirable:

It is desirable that candidates should have the following:

·       A postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline. Areas of study may include: Disability studies, equality and human rights, engineering with an accessibility focus, public or social policy, community development, or health and social care with relevance to disability services.

Such qualifications should reflect a strong academic foundation in the principles of accessibility and inclusion, as well as an understanding of the legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks that support and promote the rights of disabled people.

·       Minimum 3 years’ experience in accessibility, inclusion, or disability services

·       Strong knowledge of Irish disability legislation and universal design principles

·       Excellent communication, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement skills

·       Experience in local government or public sector

·       Competence in accessibility standards and universal design (e.g., WCAG, NDA guidelines)

·       Project management experience

 

Candidates are required to upload documentation for the qualification with their online application. The onus is on the candidate to ensure that the correct documentation is uploaded along with their application form.

Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination/comparability statement from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Candidates who do not submit the required eligibility documentation by closing date/time will be deemed as having an incomplete application and no further consideration will be given to your application.

Each candidate must include on the application form details of all qualifications obtained by them. The invitation to attend for Interview is not to be regarded as an admission that you possess the prescribed qualifications and/or requirements for this post or are you qualified by law to hold the post. Documentary proof will be required before appointment where you claim credit for particular qualification, experience, etc.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Key Competencies for the post are given in the table below. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application and at interview of competence under each of these headings.

Leading and Motivating

·       Works with the team to facilitate high performance, developing clear and realistic objectives and addressing performance issues if they arise.

·       Provides clear information and advice as to what is required of the team.

·       Strives to develop and implement new ways of working effectively to meet objectives.

·       Leads the team by example, coaching and supporting individuals as required including managing underperformance.

·       Places high importance on staff development, training and maximising skills and capacity of the team.

·       Demonstrates enthusiasm for new developments/changing work practices and strives to implement these changes effectively.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

·       Gathers and analyses information from relevant sources, whether financial, numerical or otherwise weighing up a range of critical factors.

·       Takes account of broader issues, agendas, sensitivities and related implications when making decisions.

·       Uses previous knowledge and experience in order to guide decisions.

·       Uses judgement to make sound decisions with a well reasoned rationale and stands by these.

·       Puts forward solutions to address problems.

Managing Resources

·       Takes responsibility and is accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives.

·       Successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities at the same time.

·       Structures and organises their own work and others work effectively.

·       Is logical and pragmatic in approach, delivering the best possible results with the resources available.

·       Delegates work effectively, providing clear information and evidence as to what is required.

·       Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation.

·       Applies appropriate systems/processes to enable quality checking of all activities and outputs.

·       Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering a high-quality customer service, for internal and external customers.

Candidates will also be assessed at interview on the basis of how they demonstrate their Local government knowledge and understanding.

Local Government Knowledge and Understanding

·       Knowledge of the structure and functions of local government.

·       Knowledge of current local government issues and advocate practice approaches to addressing them.

·       Clear and realistic views of future trends and strategic direction of local government.

·       Understanding the role of an Access Officer in this context.

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Type of Post

Future relevant permanent and temporary posts will be filled from the panel(s) formed. The post(s) will be whole-time, permanent/temporary and pensionable.

Remuneration

The annual salary (Circular EL 02/2026, Revised Local Authority Scales Operative from 1 February 2026) is as follows:

(Analogous to pay scale of Senior Staff Officer)

Point

01/02/2026

1

€57,895

2

€59,276

3

€60,960

4

€64,126

5

€66,017

LSI 1

€68,367

LSI 2

€70,730

IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates should note that the starting salary is not subject to negotiation. Entry into the pay scale above the minimum point will only apply to existing public servants in the context of the relevant Government Pay Circulars. Candidates who are not covered by such Circulars will enter the pay scale at the minimum point i.e.€57,895

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to and received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Probation:

(a)       there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation,

(b)       such period shall be 12 months but, the Chief Executive may at their discretion extend such period,

(c)       such persons shall cease to hold the position at end of the period of probation unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

Hours of Duty

The person appointed will be required to work a 35 hour week. The successful candidate will be required to log their hours of work in accordance with the requirements of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and will be required to co-operate with the use of technologies to record such hours.

Annual Leave:

The annual leave entitlement will be 30 days per annum.

Residence:

Holder of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Work Permit

All non-EU/EEA citizens must hold a valid work permit prior to and for the duration of their contract. The work permit must allow you to work full time for Galway City Council. It is the responsibility of individual employees to ensure that you have a valid work permit. If at any stage during your contract you cease to hold a valid work permit you must immediately advise Galway City Council and your employment will cease with immediate effect.

Outside Employment:

The position is whole-time and the employee may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Driving Licence:

Applicants should at the date of applying hold a full unendorsed valid Irish /EU licence, for Class B vehicles, or a licence acceptable to NDLS for transfer to full Irish licence, The successful candidate will be required to provide their own transport. Expenses incurred in work related travel will be recompensed in line with departmental circulars.

Garda Vetting:

The successful applicant may be required to undergo Garda Vetting prior to appointment.

Superannuation Contribution:

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority, who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of the State Pension Contributory).

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

Widows & Orphans/ Spouses & Children’s Scheme

All persons who become pensionable officers of a local Authority are required, in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme, 1986, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of State Pension contributory) in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

New Entrants From 1st January 2013 – Single Public Services Pension Scheme

FOR NEW ENTRANTS recruited on or after 1st January, 2013 as well as former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. The Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 applies to your employment. Members of this Scheme are required in respect of superannuation to contribute at the rate of 3% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of State Pension contributory) and you are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution.

Retirement Age:

Retirement age will be determined on previous Public Sector Service (if any) and will be advised on appointment.

Former Public Service Employees

Eligibility to compete may be affected where applicants were formerly employed by the Irish Public Service and previously availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme including:

·       Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

·       Department of Health and Children Circular (7/2010)

·       Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants

Applicants should ensure that they are not precluded from re-engagement in the Irish Public Service under the terms of such Schemes.  This is a non-exhaustive list and any queries should be directed to the applicant’s former Irish Public Service Employer in the first instance. 

Declaration

Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of a public service scheme of incentivised early retirement and/or the collective agreement outlined above. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Public Service employment and/or where they have received a payment-in-lieu in respect of service in any Public Service employment.

Offer of Appointment

Galway City Council shall require persons to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month from the date on which the offer is made. If they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, the Council shall not appoint them.

All appointments are subject to receipt of satisfactory references and candidates may be required to produce documentary evidence of qualifications or experience claimed in their applications.

FORMAT OF THE COMPETITION

Applications must be made through Galway City Council’s online recruitment portal

and all sections must be completed in full. The information you supply in the application will play a central part of the short listing process. Galway City Council’s decision to include you on the shortlist of candidates going forward to stage two of the process may be determined based on this information.