Assistant Arts Officer

GENERAL INFORMATION

County Leitrim, located in the North West of Ireland, has a growing economy, picturesque landscape, vibrant communities and a strong arts and cultural sector. Leitrim County Council’s vision is to build an economically strong, creative, inclusive county, making Leitrim the best place to live, work, invest and visit. Key to the achievement of our priorities and objectives is a skilled and committed workforce, supported by enabling technologies, efficient work processes, and learning and development opportunities. We are committed to the training, support and encouragement of our staff and we offer benefits across family-friendly initiatives, personal development, and wellbeing of staff.

The Arts Office of Leitrim County Council develops and implements policies in relation to various aspects of the arts. It provides information, advice, and assistance to a wide range of clients including artists, arts groups, arts festivals, venues, community groups, schools, non-arts organisations working with the arts, and other local and national public bodies. It develops and co-ordinates a number of programmes, independently and in association with these partners. It assists communities to become involved in the arts both as participants and audiences, encourages children and young people to explore and engage with the arts, and seeks to create the conditions for a career as a professional artist to be a viable pursuit.

THE ROLE

Under the direction and supervision of the Arts Officer, or other appropriate line manager, the position of Part-Time Assistant Arts Officer – Children & Young People in Leitrim County Council will involve working with the arts team, other sections within the local authority, programme partners, and the wider community to achieve these aims.

While the candidate will be responsible in particular for the development, management, and administration of Arts Office strategies, programmes, and projects for children and young people, they may also be required to work across different Arts Office programmes and should have a sufficiently broad knowledge, understanding, and experience of the broader local arts development environment to be able to contribute to and participate in the implementation of all the work of the Arts Office.

QUALIFICATIONS

Character

Each candidate shall be of good character.

Health

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

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, 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, the UK, or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

Education, Training, Experience

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

(a) Hold a primary Degree in a relevant discipline (Youth Arts Development, Visual or Performing Arts, Arts Management, etc.) from a recognised awarding authority.

(b) Have at least three years relevant experience (including practical experience) in the field of arts development, that specifically includes leadership roles in strategy and programme development for children and young people’s arts programmes.

Notes:

Candidates must submit a copy of the educational qualifications meeting the requirements of 4(a) above with their application.

Applications received without the necessary documentation will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

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. Foreign language qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Candidates must also hold a current valid and unendorsed driving licence in respect of category B vehicles or equivalent in the EU Model Driving Licence and must advise if this is not the case. A copy of the licence must be submitted with the application.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE SHALL HAVE:

A thorough knowledge of current arts practice and the organisation of the arts in Ireland, particularly as it applies to children and young people.

The creative and organisational ability to drive the development and delivery of strategies, programmes, and projects for children and young people in an arts context.

The ability to prioritise and sustain a complex workload.

Excellent organisational, administrative, and ICT/multimedia skills.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and teambuilding skills.

Experience of managing communications, particularly social media.

Experience of working with artists, arts organisations, and children/youth/school groups.

A thorough knowledge of the regulatory environment pertaining to children and young people.

Experience of documenting and evaluating arts programmes.

Proven track record in financial management.

Flexibility to undertake duties outside of normal working hours as required.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Delivering Results / Communicating Effectively:

Communicates effectively with diverse stakeholders to contribute to the development of coherent strategies and team plans.

Translates the business or team plan into clear priorities and actions for their area of responsibility.

Ability to develop and deliver programmes and projects and to work to strict deadlines.

Implements high quality service and customer care standards.

Makes decisions in a timely and well-informed manner.

Develops and maintains positive, productive, and beneficial working relationships.

Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills.

Performance Management and Team Work:

Leads and develops project teams to achieve corporate objectives.

Has a strong team ethic of co-operation and mutual support, sharing information and knowledge as appropriate.

Effectively manages performance.

Plans work and allocation of resources effectively.

Ability to work on own initiative as well as an integral part of a team.

Relates well to others and maintains positive, productive, and beneficial working relationships.

Addresses conflict or dissatisfaction in a constructive manner.

Personal Effectiveness:

Takes initiative and is open to taking on new challenges or responsibilities.

Manages time and workload effectively.

Has strong organisational skills including meeting facilitation and administration.

Has strong resource and project management skills.

Maintains a positive, constructive, and enthusiastic attitude to their role.

Understands and implements change and demonstrates flexibility and openness to change.

Is a self-starter, strong on research, and maintains resilience in securing buy-in and commitment to overall concepts or projects.

Knowledge, Experience, and Skills:

Has very good relevant knowledge of current arts practice and the organisation of the arts in Ireland.

Understanding of the structures and environment within which the local authority sector operates and the role of the arts in this context.

Understanding of the role of the Part-Time Assistant Arts Officer – Children & Young People in this context.

Has understanding, knowledge, and experience of strategy and programme delivery of children and young people’s arts.

Has experience of evaluation and preparing reports.

Has knowledge and experience of financial management.

Has knowledge and experience of managing communications.

Has knowledge and experience of operating ICT, multimedia systems, website management, and social media management.

Has knowledge and understanding in relation to Child Safeguarding policy, GDPR, and statutory obligations of Health and Safety legislation and its application in the workplace.

PRINCIPAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Post

The position is part-time (50% working arrangement), permanent and pensionable, and will be based in Leitrim County Council Offices in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim. A panel will be formed from which Part-Time Assistant Arts Officer – Children and Young People vacancies arising during the lifetime of the panel (12 months) may be filled.

Duties

The duties of the office are to give to the local authority and:

(a) Such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts, is Chief Executive; and

(b) Any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph.

Under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other officers as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, the post-holder shall provide such appropriate services of an administrative, supervisory, and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of the powers, duties, and functions delegated to them and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority.

This is a co-ordinating position within Leitrim County Council Arts Office, with specific reference to Children and Young People’s Arts Programmes. Reporting to the Arts Officer, the main duties of the Part-Time Assistant Arts Officer – Children & Young People may include but are not limited to:

Supporting Leitrim County Council in the ongoing development and delivery of arts services provided by the local authority.

Taking an operational lead on the design, development, and management of early years, children’s, and youth arts initiatives.

Managing and delivering, to a high artistic standard, a range of projects that support engagement in the arts for children and young people, demonstrably increasing the levels and quality of engagement throughout the county, within budget and within prescribed timeframes.

Ensuring that diversity and inclusion are embedded in children and youth arts programming.

Ensuring that the voice of the child and young person is heard in policy and programme development.

Monitoring and evaluating programmes to learn from the impact of investment and inform forward planning and decision making.

Working closely with local, regional, and national partners including the Arts Council, Creative Ireland, Music Generation/MSLETB, YTI, NYCI, CBI, etc., to enhance resources and enrich practice.

Supporting artists to engage in children’s and youth arts, particularly with relevant training and mentoring where appropriate.

Identifying and preparing funding applications and seeking to secure resources to enable the implementation of the Council’s Arts and Creativity Strategies.

Assisting with and contributing to the implementation of the Council’s Arts and Creativity Strategies, including sourcing and providing advice and information, programme design and scheduling, devising contracts, monitoring, assessing, and evaluating performance against agreed targets, and ensuring that the necessary financial and management systems are in place.

Disseminating information and providing clear messaging regarding children and youth arts activities, opportunities, and other relevant information across all media, particularly social media platforms.

Representing the Arts Service and Leitrim County Council at internal and public meetings, events, and functions as required.

Working with other departments of the Council to complement and support the design and delivery of Culture and Arts-led programmes and policy initiatives.

Carrying out all duties in compliance with appropriate procedures, including the maintenance of records and information.

Travelling throughout the county as required by the role.

Performing such other appropriate duties in relation to the arts as may from time to time be assigned by the Council.

Salary

The salary scale (applicable from 1st February 2026) for the position of Part-Time Assistant Arts Officer (analogous to Staff Officer – Grade V) is within the range:

€52,239, €53,799, €55,392, €57,019, €58,657, €60,567 (LSI 1), €62,484 (LSI 2).

This is a part-time position on the basis of a working arrangement of 50% of a 5-day week, and the salary will be adjusted pro-rata to reflect this working arrangement (i.e., 50% of the relevant scale point).

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with relevant Departmental Circulars. Offers of appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of this scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

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

Residence

The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which his or her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof and will be required to serve in the Local Authority’s Offices, or wherever assigned by the Local Authority.

Leitrim County Council reserves the right to, at any time, re-assign an employee to any Department now or in the future. Leitrim County Council reserves the right to, at any time, assign an employee to any premises in use by the Council now or in the future.