Assistant Arts Officer

Clare County Council/ Comhairle Contae an Chláir is the authority responsible for Local Government in County Clare. The corporate headquarters are located at Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis and there are four Municipal Districts (Ennis, Shannon, Killaloe, and West Clare) which are supported through area offices in Ennis, Scarriff, Shannon, Ennistymon and Kilrush. There are 28 elected members, approximately 990 staff and an annual operating budget of €204 million in 2026.

Clare County Council provides a diverse range of services across a large geographic area. Key services areas include Planning, Placemaking & Economic Development, Rural & Community Development, Housing Services, Housing Activation & Delivery, Capital Infrastructure Delivery, Land Activation, Derelict Sites and Property, Transportation, Mobility and Health & Safety, Climate Action, Environment & Water Services, Fire Service, Building Control & Major Emergency Management, Tourism, Festivals & Events, Libraries, Arts & Cultural Services, Enterprise and Investment, along with and sports & amenities. These operations are supported by internal services which include ICT & Digital Services, Corporate Services & Governance, Finance, People, Culture and Organisational Development functions.

There is a diverse demographic across urban and rural communities with tourism bringing seasonal changes in population and activity in the county. The Shannon estuary, Shannon Airport, industrial zones, and geographic location between larger urban areas, coupled with the unique landscape and heritage add to the diversity of activity in the County. Local democracy is strengthened through the Municipal Districts and changes in legislation and regulation have placed greater emphasis on the role of the Local Authority in driving economic activity, ensuring accountability, accessibility and innovation while placing the customer and the community to the fore of service delivery.

The Assistant Arts Officer (Grade V) is a key post within the Arts Office. The Arts Office sits within the Tourism, Festivals, Libraries & Cultural Services Directorate. 

The position supports the development, management and co-ordination of the Arts Office programme, assisting in the planning and delivery of projects countywide, with an emphasis on greater participation by members of the community and deeper levels of engagement with participants.

This role will assist in delivering on Strategic Actions in our Framework Agreement with the Arts Council including, but not limited to, assisting our work with young people, older people and in the area of cultural diversity and in evaluating same.

The role will encompass the need to develop further meaningful and deeper consultations and conversations with targeted communities. The Assistant Arts Officer will be pivotal in enabling the beginning of deeper long term conversations which will inform planning and policy going forward. They will have a real commitment to public engagement in this process.

The Assistant Arts Officerwill work with, manage and mentor artists (of all disciplines), service providers, and communities of interest and place. This rewarding role will facilitate the development of current programmes and the creation of new artworks and projects throughout the county.

The post holder will oversee management and promotion of arts programmes and projects and will support the delivery of the Council’s policies, responding to the unique needs and desires of the people of this rural county with challenging, stimulating and inspiring programmes which are new, diverse and engaging.

The Assistant Arts Officerwill work with internal and external partners to create opportunities to engage in the arts throughout the county, at all ages, as creators, spectators, and participants. The Assistant Arts Officerwill also support the wider work of the Arts Office. This post reports to the County Arts Officer, and through them, to the County Librarian and Director of Services. The postholder is expected to use initiative, work to a high standard, and have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient experience and a proven track record in the following:

• Managing people (performance and development management)
• Financial management
• Communicating effectively across different levels within an organisation
• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Project management
• Stakeholder networking and engagement
• Administration and report writing
• Operation of ICT systems and standard office software packages
• Customer Service
• Working Effectively as part of a team
• Planning and Prioritisation of workloads
• Dealing effectively with conflicting demands
• Working under pressure to tight deadlines
• Adapting to change
• Acting on own initiative
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Health & Safety Management

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.

The duties will include but will not be limited to the following:

• To support implementation of the Clare Arts Plan, Nourish 2026 - 2029 through programme delivery across key areas such as activities for youth, community and older people and climate actions.
• Develop, commission and evaluate programmes, festivals, initiatives and participation opportunities across the county eg. Arts and Disability programmes, Arts in Education programmes, Youth Theatre etc. 
• Assist in the programming and promotion of national and local initiatives such as Bealtaine Festival, Cruinniú na nÓg, Culture Night, local festivals etc.
• Devise and administer bursaries, residencies, commissions, mentorships and professional development supports for artists. 
• Work with Arts Office staff members to ensure complimentary activities are taking place in order to maximise resources and enable maximum participation by artists and communities. 
• Promote arts activities, audience development, communications campaigns (including social media, press releases, radio interviews, designing posters etc.) newsletters and public engagement activities. 
• Assist and lead on strategic planning initiatives. 
• Implement and review arts plans; prepare reports; support policy development; collect evidence and data; align local actions with national cultural policy. 
• Represent the Arts Service and Clare County Council at internal and public meetings, events and functions as required.
• Develop and maintain relationships with artists and communities.
• Develop and maintain partnerships and close working relationships with appropriate agencies, networks, and individuals including the Arts Council of Ireland, Creative Ireland, Music Generation, national arts resource organisations, the HSE/ Healthy Ireland/ Age Friendly Ireland and LCETB.
• Support and develop new partnerships at local, national and international level.
• Manage grants, budgets, procurement, funding applications and financial reporting. 
• Input into the annual Arts Council application process and other grant funding opportunities as they arise.
• Ensure good governance in how the Arts Office conducts its programmes and ensure compliance with procurement, health and safety, safeguarding, equality, governance and data protection requirements. 
• Support and supervise staff, supervise projects, deputise for the County Arts Officer and contribute to organisational plans and development. 
• Work in a flexible manner in line with the organisation’s corporate objectives and role and be willing to perform such other appropriate duties in relation to the arts in the region as may arise from time to time as assigned by the Council.
• Travel throughout the county as required by the role.
• Taking responsibility for tasks that will be assigned from time to time at the discretion of the Arts Officer or local authority.
• Any other duties that may be assigned.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

1. Character 

(a) Each candidate must be of good character. 

2. Health

(a) Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

 3. Education, Training, Experience, etc.

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

(a) Hold an ordinary degree (level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications) in an Arts or Cultural discipline, Arts Administration, Event Management, Festival/Event related studies, project management or related discipline. 

 AND

(b) Have at least three years satisfactory relevant arts development and administration experience including experience in the area of programme development and budget management. 

(c) Have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation. (d) Hold a full clean, Class B driving license 

Failure to upload proof of essential educational qualifications in your application form will deem you ineligible for this competition.

*Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination 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. 

The current salary scale applicable to the post (June 2026):

€52,761 - €54,337 - €55,946 - €57,589 - €59,244 - €61,173 (LSI1) - €63,109 (LSI2)