Assistant Arts Officer

DESCRIPTION OF THE POST

The Assistant Arts Officer will have a key role in carrying out operations and administrative responsibilities as a member of the Wexford County Council’s Arts Department Team.

This role will support the strategic planning for the development and delivery of all arts services, as well as the development and delivery of the Public Art Programme. This role will allow the Arts Department to deepen the provision of services for artists and communities in the county, as well as deliver the county’s expanding public art and community engagement programme.

The position is permanent and on a whole-time and pensionable basis. However, a panel may be formed from which future permanent and temporary vacancies may be filled.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST

CHARACTER:

Candidates shall be of good character.

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.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC.:

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

• Hold an ordinary degree (Level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications) in an Arts or Cultural discipline.

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

• Have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation.

• Hold a full clean, Class B driving licence and have access to their own vehicle.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:

Each candidate is required to upload documents, where applicable, to support their claim to meet the above criteria as part of the application process. In addition, where a candidate claims in their application to possess educational or other qualifications that are not part of the requirements above, the candidate will also be required to upload proof they hold same. Failure to do so may result in your application receiving no further consideration.

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.

THE PERSON

The person appointed will be able to clearly demonstrate the key competencies as set out in this Booklet. In addition, the successful candidate will have:

• Good knowledge of current arts practice and the organisation of the arts in Ireland especially as it applies to the professional development of artists, arts organisations and public art.

• Good knowledge base of local, national and international policy relating to Culture and Arts development, and Public Art as it applies to the Local Authority Arts Service.

• The creative and organisational ability to drive the development and delivery of the Arts Service and Public Art programme.

• Evidence of arts & cultural and public art project management.

• Evidence of excellent organisational, administrative and IT skills.

• Evidence of excellent communication, interpersonal and teambuilding skills.

• Ability to manage a diverse workload and multitask.

• Ability to build partnerships and work with a diverse range of stakeholders from the public, private community sector and arts sector.

• Flexibility to attend after-hours functions as and when required.

• Experience of working with artists, arts organisations, and various communities of place and interest.

• Experience of documenting and evaluating arts programmes.

• Proven track record in financial management and budget preparation.

DUTIES OF THE POST

The duties of the post shall be to give to the local authority under the direction and supervision of its appropriate employee, such services of an executive, supervisory and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers and duties; these shall include the duty of deputising for other employees of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any other local authority.

Candidates should note that the Assistant Arts Officer may be, at the discretion of the Chief Executive or their nominated delegate, transferred to another Arts related role within Wexford County Council at the same Grade in the future.

The key responsibilities of the Assistant Arts Officer will include, the following. This list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require:

• Support Wexford County Council Arts Department in the ongoing development and delivery of arts services and the public art programme provided by the local authority.

• Take an operational lead on existing arts programmes as and when required, and on the development of new arts programmes.

• Have responsibility for the management and coordination of the Public Art programme for the County.

• Advocate for the development of Public Art opportunities and best practices through the County Council’s Capital Programmes and the Percent for Art Scheme, with the support of the Arts Officer and the Public Art working group.

• Manage the delivery of projects to a high artistic standard within budget and within prescribed timeframes as determined by the local authority.

• Improve opportunities and support for artists and those working in the arts and for communities to engage in art.

• Assist with annual funding applications and source additional funding as appropriate.

• Have responsibility for the day-to-day management of agreed arts budgets.

• Work with the Arts Department team, Culture Team, Creative Ireland Co-Ordinator and the wider organisation to complement and support the design and delivery of Creative Ireland programmes and policy initiatives.

• In consultation with the Arts Officer, manage, evaluate and assess the impact and delivery of programmes, including monitoring and evaluating projects to inform forward planning and decision making.

• With the Arts Officer, identify, negotiate, develop and maintain partnerships, within the local authority, with external agencies, networks and individuals ensuring clarity over respective aims, roles and responsibilities to grow resources for the sector.

• Provide mentoring, information, advice and guidance both internally and externally in the area of arts development, as appropriate.

• Prepare documentation and reports as appropriate.

• Represent the Arts Department of Wexford County Council at internal and public meetings, events and functions and deputise for the Arts Officer as and when required.

• Provide supervision to Arts Department team as and when required.

• Deliver public-facing Arts related programmes and initiatives across the organization when required.

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

• Travel throughout the County as required by the role.

• Work outside of office hours at weekends or evenings, as and when required.