Assistant Visual 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.

It would be desirable if each candidate

• Experience of working in a gallery environment or the visual arts sector
• Good Customer service
• Work effectively as part of a team
• Have an ability to plan and prioritise workloads
• Be capable of dealing effectively with conflicting demands
• Be capable of working under pressure to tight deadlines
• Ability to adapt to change
• Capable of problem solving
• Operation of ICT systems and standard office software packages
• Ability to communicate effectively across different levels within an organisation
• Maintain confidentiality

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:

Súil Gallery

• Assist the visual arts co-ordinator in the delivery of the gallery programme including the implementation of the curatorial policy and assistance with exhibition administration.
• Assist with installation, hanging and removal of artworks to include painting walls and general maintenance.
• Liaise with artists regarding the transport of artworks.
• Maintain environmental conditions for gallery artworks, e.g. temperature control, cleaning of display etc.
• Provide invigilation in the gallery
• Assist with marketing and social media for the Gallery and promotion of the Gallery as a key tourist attraction in Ennis and in Clare.
• Provide cover for scheduled events in the gallery such as tours, lectures, workshops, Culture Night events, Night - Time Economy events, gallery openings. These may be outside normal working hours, on occasion.
• Support the implementation of outreach and education programmes
• Undertake all clerical and administrative duties pertaining to the role including financial transactions, payments by customers and issuing receipts.
• Customer service role dealing with enquiries from artists and members of the public on the exhibitions (current and planned), education programme opportunities and participation in gallery and general Arts Activities.
• Customer service role dealing with enquiries from artists and members of the public on the exhibitions (current and planned), education programme opportunities and participation in gallery and general Arts Office activities.

General Visual Arts 

• Record and add Collection of Visual Artworks to the Clare Arts Website.
• Assist with duties pertaining to Clare County Council artist studios as directed by line manager / the arts officer.
• Co-ordinate the exhibition schedule in Clare Library Branches (Ennis, Kilkee, Scariff and Tulla) and the Clare Museum.

Arts Office

• Assist with the Arts Office programme of events as required
• 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:

Have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme,

Or

Have passed an examination of at least equivalent standard,

Or

Have satisfactory relevant experience which encompasses demonstrable equivalent skills.

DESIRABLE CRITERIAIt is desirable that candidates will demonstrate through their application form and at the interview the following:

•  Minimum of a third level qualification in the visual arts, curatorial studies or arts management
•  Experience of working in the arts, ideally in a visual arts setting.

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 salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Starting pay for new entrants to the sector will be at the minimum of the scale.

The current salary scale applicable to the post (June 2026): €31,935, €33,702, €34,140, €35,021, €36,312, €37,603, €38,895, €39,833, €40,897, €42,128, €43,004, €44,227, €45,456, €47,770, €49,413 (LSI1)

Tuesday to Saturday.

The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including evenings and/or weekends, as necessary. The provisions of Clare County Council’s Leave Policy is applicable to this grade at the current time.