Arts Officer

The Position: Westmeath County Council employs over 570 staff across eight service divisions. Housing & Building; Road, Transport & Safety; Rural Water; Development Management; Environmental Protection; Recreation & Amenity; Climate Action, Agriculture & Education and Miscellaneous Services. It consists of 20 democratically elected members. The Council is mandated to deliver a diverse range of functions and services which can be broadly described under the headings of economic development, community development, provision of physical and social infrastructure, recreation and amenity services, and the enforcement of the planning and environmental regulatory framework. The Council now invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and fixed term contract posts for the position of Arts Officer will be drawn.

Role: The role of the Arts Officer is to deliver on the objectives as set out in the Local Authority Arts Plan and other key strategic and policy areas and to enable people of all abilities to experience the arts. The ideal candidate must be a self-motivated person with drive, commitment and vision, willing to take on the challenge of implementing the Arts Plan and other key strategies. Candidates will be expected to possess excellent administrative, employee management, communication, interpersonal skills and budget management skills and the confidence to work independently and creatively within a complex network of relationships. The Arts Officer will have a vital role to play in maintaining the delivery of a wide range of accessible public services, offering advice, advocacy, initiation of new Arts projects and administration of grants and bursary schemes. The Arts Officer will be expected to work closely with senior management and elected members to deliver services to the highest standard. The Arts Officer will work under the direction and control of the County Librarian or other Senior Officer designated by the Chief Executive or Director of Services as appropriate.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require: • Advising Westmeath County Council on all matters relating to Arts/Culture including but not limited to: ▪ strategies for effective development and management of the Arts & Culture. ▪ fundraising and applying for funding from a variety of sources. ▪ the development of the arts/artists in the social, cultural and economic life of the County. ▪ the disbursement of grants under the terms of Section 12 of the 1973 Arts Act and the Arts Act 2003 ▪ Informing of any initiatives which may affect funding and/or policy developments and working towards implementation of proposals. • Managing and leading a well-motivated and focused team to deliver the Council’s arts/culture programme. • Developing and supporting Arts service staff in the implementation of programming and policy development. • Communicating, implementing and managing change within the section, • Determining nature, level and pattern of demand for services. • Devising, implementing & managing the Council’s Strategic Arts Development Plan to include on-going monitoring and measurement of implementation and impact. • Developing annual service delivery plan for the arts in line with the Corporate Plan priorities and in collaboration with the Senior Management Team having regard to available budgets. • Identifying and responding to opportunities for the arts, through liaison with a variety of Government Departments, State Agencies, European Institutions and Arts Bodies, collaborating with colleagues to progress the broader cultural and economic development remit of the Council. • Inputting into the work of Strategic Policy Committee and other local authority committees, as appropriate. • Establishing & overseeing arts/culture policies that will underpin plans for development, which will be integrated with other aspects of local authority work. • Devising proposals and responses to national & international policy documents, which will influence the development of arts/culture in the County. • Sustaining a consultative process with those involved in arts and culture in the County. • Ensuring balanced arts provision for the county, through identifying, supporting and developing the existing professional, voluntary, community and amateur arts sectors and through harnessing existing regional and national networks. • Managing and developing the Council’s Public Art policy and collection. • Consult with planners and engineers in the briefing and development of public realm projects and proposals and new housing estates and development to create a more design focused and creativity use of space • Providing information and advice to artists and the community in general on arts/culture related matters. • Developing partnerships and working relationships with others in the public and private sector including those in third level institutions/local government/other partners consistent with overall strategy for the Arts in Westmeath, and to position the arts and the interests of the Arts in Westmeath on the working agenda of such partners. • Creating strategic partnerships with a range of key institutional stakeholders and partners, • Liaising and work with local schools, wide range of community/voluntary groups and promote the inclusion of all sectors of society in participation of the arts. • Developing key metrics to better measure the impact of investment in the arts in the county • Supporting artists to create work of excellence. • Responsibility for day-to-day financial management within the section to include budget preparation, identify potential funding opportunities, preparation of funding applications, timely drawdown or recoupment of monies due to the local authority. • Delivering projects within agreed budget and deadlines. • Attending meetings and represent the local authority on internal or external committees, working groups or other fora when required. • Researching, analysing, disseminating and communicating essential information on relevant policies, procedures and legislation. • Compiling, preparing and presenting reports as necessary. • Communicating effectively with senior management. • Working to promote the sharing of information, marketing, public relations, electronic and web-based information services, and audience development • Planning and prioritising work effectively and be proactive and self-directed. • Working under pressure to tight deadlines and effectively managing conflicting demands. • Implementing all Health and Safety management systems within the local authority. • Working outside of normal office hours, i.e., at evenings and/or weekends, as required. • Any other duties which may arise in the provision of arts services, and are assigned by the Chief Executive, Director of Service or his/her appointed nominee, from time to time. QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST 1. Character Each candidate must 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: a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or d) 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 e) 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 f) 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/Experience etc. (a) Hold primary degree (level 8 on the national framework of qualifications) or equivalent from a recognised awards authority majoring in a relevant area such as arts, arts management, visual culture, cultural studies, fine art, or the performing arts (b) Have at least five years relevant and acceptable management experience in arts management or arts policy development. (c) Have organisational and administrative experience. (d) Demonstrate an understanding of National Arts Policies, the structures and policy informing the work of Local Authorities in an arts context. (e) Have the creative and management expertise to drive the development and delivery of arts policies and the Arts Programme on a county level.

It is desirable that each candidate should have: • Have a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services and be willing to take on challenges. • Be highly motivated and have excellent interpersonal and communications skills. • Have an ability to foster and maintain productive working relationships within the organisation and with relevant stakeholders externally. • Be capable of working in close co-operation with the elected Council, the Strategic Policy Committees and other Council Departments. • Satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the Local Government sector in Ireland • An understanding of National Arts Policies and creative and management expertise to drive the development and delivery of Arts Policies and the Arts Programme • Take a strategic approach in the formulation and delivery of key policy objectives. • Have a career record that demonstrates a high level of competence in the management of staff, including managing performance. • Capacity to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team • Have excellent facilitation, project management and event management skills. • Have the ability to manage financial resources within a budgetary control framework. • Have effective problem solving and decision-making skills. • The ability to adapt to change. • Have the ability to manage projects. • Be able to function on own initiative. • Ability to communicate effectively across different levels within an organisation PARTICULARS OF OFFICE 1. Salary The current salary scale for the post of Arts Officer €59,417 – €77,243 (including Long Service Increments) gross per annum as per Circular EL 03/2025. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with the Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. New Entrants to the Local Authority Service commence on the 1st point of the scale in accordance with current Government Policy as set out in Department of the Environment Circular Letter EL 02/2011 of 28th January 2011 and Circular EL 05/2016 dated 5th February 2016. Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions e.g. PAYE and PRSI. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory. You agree that in the event of an overpayment of salary or other monies to you, the Council reserves the right to deduct monies from your “wages” (for the purposes of the Payment of Wages Act, 1991) for the purpose of reimbursement of the Council of the amount of the overpayment(s), in keeping with the Payment of Wages Act 1991, Section 5(5). 2. Superannuation and Retirement Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details of the relevant scheme will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment. A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). A person paying Class A rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme 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 social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. A person paying Class D rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable Officer of a local authority depending on their existing scheme, may be a member of a dependent scheme i.e. either the Local Government (Widows & Orphans Contributory Pension) Scheme or Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme and if a member of either scheme will be required in respect of this to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme. Employees are admitted to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act, 1998 and the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, with effect from date of appointment. This scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement and death gratuities. In order for a new entrant to the scheme to qualify for a pension, he/she must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority. For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, effective from 1st January 2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on careeraverage pay; pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012: The compulsory retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years. Minimum pension age of 66 years, rising to 67 years and 68 years in line with State Pension age changes, is applicable. Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004: There is no mandatory retirement age for ‘New Entrants’ from 1st April, 2004 to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. 65 years is the minimum age at which a person may be paid. As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants will not be required to retire on grounds of age. Anyone who is not a ‘New Entrant’ to the public service, defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is subject to compulsory retirement age of 70 years. 3. 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 one year, but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion extend such period; (c) the person appointed shall cease to hold office at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the chief executive has certified that the service of the person in such office is satisfactory.