Assistant Curator Administrator

The Position:

Limerick City and County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which temporary and permanent vacancies for Assistant Curator/Administrator, Limerick City Gallery of Art may be filled throughout the lifetime of the panel.

Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA) is the largest contemporary art gallery in Ireland’s Mid-West, annually presenting a diverse programme of exhibitions by national and international artists.

LCGA is one of Limerick City and County Council’s most visited cultural buildings, welcoming approximately 90,000 visitors annually. It receives an annual strategic funding contribution from the Arts Council to support LCGA’s role in leading, sustaining and developing the arts in Ireland.

LCGA is home to a Permanent Collection of circa 1,000 works of Irish art from the 18th to 21st centuries in all media, including the National Collection of Contemporary Drawing and the Michael O’Connor International Poster Collection. The Permanent Collection is displayed on a rotating basis throughout the year in its dedicated exhibition gallery.

Why Join Us?

At Limerick City Gallery of Art, you’ll be part of a team that is passionate about making art accessible, engaging and meaningful for all. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a vibrant cultural institution while developing your career within the public service. You will make an Impact by playing a hands-on role in supporting exhibitions, artists and programmes that enrich the cultural life of Limerick and the wider region. You will be part of a nationally significant gallery that showcases contemporary and historical art and attracts thousands of visitors each year. This position offers a valuable experience across administration, exhibition delivery and stakeholder engagement, with opportunities to grow and progress within the Local Authority system. You will work alongside passionate professionals in a supportive setting that values teamwork, innovation and creativity while contributing to a role that combines professional development with meaningful public impact, supporting arts, culture and community engagement.

What We’re Looking For:

·       A motivated and enthusiastic individual who is passionate about the arts and thrives in a dynamic public-facing environment;

·       A strong interest in visual arts and contemporary cultural practice;

·       Ability to organise, prioritise and deliver work effectively, often within tight deadlines;

·       Excellent administrative, coordination and organisational skills;

·       Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently with artists, stakeholders and the public;

·       Experience or knowledge of exhibition delivery, event coordination or cultural programming;

·       A collaborative approach, with the ability to work as part of a team and support others;

·       Initiative, flexibility and a proactive attitude in responding to changing priorities;

·       A commitment to delivering high-quality public service and customer care;

·       Strong IT skills and experience using digital tools and systems.

What We Offer:

·       Working with Limerick City and County Council and LCGA offers a rewarding and supportive environment where you can develop your skills and contribute to the arts in a meaningful way;

·       The opportunity to work in a leading cultural institution with a national profile;

·       A structured public sector career with opportunities for progression;

·       Access to training and professional development opportunities;

·       A supportive and inclusive workplace culture;

·       The opportunity to contribute directly to arts, culture and community engagement in Limerick.

Employee Benefits:

·       Salary: €36,474–€56,015 per annum

·       Leave: 30 days annually

·       Hours: 35 per week

·       Automatically entered into a pension scheme

·       Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave

·       A range of Family Friendly Policies

·       A range of Learning and Developmental Opportunities

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

·       Support the Executive Director in the day-to-day administration and management of LCGA;

·       Support the implementation of work programmes to deliver on the Council’s Corporate Plan and operational priorities;

·       Prepare correspondence, reports and other documents as required;

·       Organise and facilitate internal and external meetings; participate in discussions where appropriate;

·       Assist with updating LCGA social media channels and website;

·       Maintain filing and record keeping for gallery business, including programme delivery, collection management, procurement and payment procedures, in line with Council policies;

·       Organise the ordering and delivery of supplies for LCGA needs (e.g., exhibition materials, collection care and office supplies);

·       Undertake relevant training, including mandated Council training courses, as required;

·       Liaise with colleagues, supervisors and line managers across the Council, and with customers and stakeholders, on operational matters relating to LCGA;

·       Assist and support the delivery of LCGA’s programme and projects, as required.

·       Assist with LCGA outreach and activity programming;

·       Maintain high levels of customer service by responding to queries and requests for information in a professional, courteous and timely manner;

·       Support the Executive Director to communicate and implement change initiatives relevant to LCGA’s operations;

• Support the Executive Director in drafting and submitting funding applications, where required;

·       Manage and co-ordinate the technical team and external goods and services providers as required for the delivery of exhibitions;

·       Liaise with artists and curators, and with borrowers and lenders of Permanent Collection works, to ensure precise planning, clear communication and strong institutional relationships;

·       Support the Executive Director with planning and delivery of the annual exhibition programme, including contributing to new initiatives and developments;

• Supervise employees within the team or programmes of work within the role’s area of responsibility, providing support as required;
• Participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade;
• Comply with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work; complete required training as necessary;
• Deputise for the line manager (or equivalent) as required;

·       Undertaking any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required from time to time.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

·       Knowledge of visual arts practice and contemporary art, nationally and internationally;

·       Experience of working collaboratively within networks and building partnerships with individuals and organisations;

·       Strong administrative and record-keeping skills, including experience with administrative systems, procurement and basic financial processes;

·       Experience of exhibition production (technical, managerial and/or organisational);

·       Experience of building and facilities management and Health & Safety practice;

·       Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines to deliver key operational objectives;

·       An ability to supervise a team effectively to achieve a common goal;

·       Relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level;

·       Strong presentation and communication skills;

·       High level of IT proficiency

How to Apply:

·       Email completed application form to recruitment@limerick.ie before the stated closing date.

·       Selection Process.

·       Eligibility check.

·       Shortlisting may apply.

·       Competitive interview (online/in person).

·       Panel formation for future vacancies.

The Person – Qualifications

1.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character

2.     Health

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, Experience, etc

Candidates shall on the latest date for receipt of applications;

(i) (a) have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four 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

(ii) have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination,

Or

(iii) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard.

* 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. 

Terms and Conditions

1.     The Post:

Subject to the availability of suitably qualified candidates a panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Director General. The panel may be used by Limerick City and County Council to fill permanent and temporary positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

2.      Annual Leave

The successful candidate will have 30 days annual leave.

3.     Salary:

Salary scale: €36,474 - €56,015 per annum. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point (currently €36,474).

4.     Location:

Limerick City and County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any department or premises now or in the future.

Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to travel to and from work at their own expense.

5.     Hours of Work:

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty five hours working week, hours may vary from time to time.

The working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council. The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary. No additional remunertation will be paid in respect of such activities.

The provisions of Limerick City and County Council’s Time and Attendance Policy is applicable to this grade at the current time.

6.     Sick Leave:

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

7.     Superannuation:

The Local Government Superannuation Scheme applies.

8.     Travel:

When required to do so, holders of the office shall hold a full driving licence for Class B Vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Local Authority Travel and Subsistence Policy.

Limerick City and County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

9.     Residence:

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

10.  Safety and Welfare:

The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Limerick City and County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. The successful candidate shall make themselves aware of the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety, clothing and equipment.

11.  Training:

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

12.  Taking Up Appointment:

The local authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of four weeks and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint them.

13.  Garda Vetting:

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 came into effect on 29th April 2016. The Act places a statutory obligation on Limerick City and County Council to ensure that ‘any work or activity which is carried out by a person, a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of a person having access to or contact with children or vulnerable persons will be subject of Garda Vetting’.

14.  Probation:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a local authority is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a)   There shall be a period after such appointments take effect, during which such person shall hold such post on probation.

(b)   Such period shall be set by the Director General, and this period may be extended at their discretion.

(c)   Such person shall cease to hold the post at the end of the period of probation, unless during such period, the Manager has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory.

15.  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

16.  References:

Applicants are required to advise the names of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related (at least one of the referees should be an existing or former employer).

In advance of any offer of employment, Limerick City and County Council reserves the right to seek references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.

17.  General Data Protection Regulation:

Basis for Processing your Personal Information

The basis for processing your personal data is to progress your application for the position you have applied for with Limerick City and County Council under the Terms of the Employment (Information) Act 1994 and Human Resources Department policies and procedures.

If you do not furnish the personal data requested, Limerick City and County Council will not be able to progress your application form for the competition for which you are applying.

18.  Pre-Employment Medical:

Prior to appointment the candidate will be required to complete a Health Declaration and may be required to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the Council. Where for any reason the cost of the medical examination is borne by the applicant it shall be refunded on appointment subject to statutory tax and statutory deductions.

19.  Canvassing:

Any attempt by a candidate or by any person(s) acting at their instigation, directly or indirectly by means or written communication or otherwise, to canvas or otherwise influence in the candidate’s favour, any member of the staff­ of the Council, or person nominated by the Council to interview or examine applicants will automatically disqualify the candidate for the position they are seeking.