Communications Officer

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

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 an efficient service. Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Council’s Occupational Medical Advisor prior to appointment. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

3. 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.

4. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE ETC.

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

a) Hold a third-level qualification in communications, public relations, public affairs, journalism or marketing; and

b) Have a minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in a senior communications, public relations, public affairs or journalism role.

c) Must 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. Carlow County Council reserves the right to provide a vehicle to enable you to carry out your duties. The provision of a vehicle will be at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

The ideal candidate shall:

• Have experience in the development and management of communication strategies, preferably in a public service organisation.

• Demonstrate strong initiative, presentation, relationship-building and strategic planning skills.

• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills and an awareness of the importance of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a positive and professional attitude.

• Have experience in digital communications.

• Have experience in visual graphics.

• Have experience handling press and media relations.

• Have the ability to think creatively and deliver engaging content.

• Have the ability to work as part of a team with a strong customer service focus and be dedicated to providing quality and excellent service.

• Have the ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines.

• Have the ability to take ownership of issues/tasks and work on their own initiative.

• Have the ability to manage and supervise staff, including managing performance.

• Be flexible regarding working hours and unsociable hours, including weekends and bank holidays.

• Be committed to self-development and be enthusiastic about acquiring new skills and embracing new technologies.

• Have an understanding of the changing operating environment of the local authority and be capable of leading and implementing change in order to deliver quality services to our citizens.

• Have experience in the organisation of corporate events.

• Have knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

• Have an understanding of the importance of ensuring strong ethical standards are set and maintained.

• Have an awareness of legislation and regulations in the areas of Health and Safety and Data Governance, their implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.

• Have a strong interest in current affairs and an awareness of the local government sector.

• Proficiency in written and verbal Irish is desirable.

THE ROLE

Carlow County Council continuously reviews and seeks to improve communication and engagement with the public in the delivery of quality public services. The overall aim of the Council is to ensure that there is clear, consistent and appropriate communication between the Council and relevant stakeholders, both within and outside the organisation.

The successful candidate will lead the delivery and implementation of a communication strategy to ensure the objectives of the Council are achieved to the highest standard. The Communications Officer will work with each department within the Council to publicise events, make people aware of new policy initiatives and provide citizens with the information required to fully avail of the Council’s range of services.

The Communications Officer will work under the direction and management of the Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Services, or any other employee designated by the Director of Services or Chief Executive, as appropriate.

The role of Communications Officer involves supporting managers and colleagues and working as part of a team in meeting work goals and objectives and delivering quality services to internal and external customers.

The general duties of the position shall include the following:

• Taking a lead role in developing and driving the Council’s communication strategy and aligned communications plans.

• Taking a lead role in the strategic and policy-making decisions of Carlow County Council in relation to communications.

• Developing and implementing engagement and promotion strategies for various Council committees, forums and projects.

• Coordinating and managing the Council's Irish language obligations, including responding to Irish language correspondence and supporting compliance with relevant language legislation, policies and service requirements.

• Maximising digital communications opportunities.

• Assisting in the development and management of the Council’s communications, internally and externally.

• Supporting the ongoing product, content and marketing management of the Council’s website.

• Managing proactive and reactive media engagement on behalf of the Council.

• Assisting with public relations, including media queries, monitoring news coverage and maintaining good working relations with the media.

• Influencing and providing support to ensure high-quality communications, ensuring the Council’s brand guidelines are embedded across the organisation and working with colleagues to identify and advance strategic priorities through PR and communications initiatives.

• Coordinating the development of key publications, drafting and editing speeches, statements, press releases, website content and other communication materials.

• Event management, including supporting and managing the organisation of conferences, launches, photocalls, briefings, etc.

• Being responsible for creating, editing and publishing engaging, accurate and up-to-date information on the Council, with the aim of creating an overall positive user experience across our digital channels.

• Developing and creating written, visual and audio-visual content and campaigns for digital channels.

• Writing compelling and engaging digital copy, ensuring that the content is consistent with the relevant brand voice, style and tone.

• Liaising with external organisations and internal departments to gather new content and advise on the best way to present the content to a digital audience, including through Plain English.

• Moderating and auditing existing website content to ensure that it is accurate, up to date and presented in an appealing and interesting manner.

• Managing user-generated content.

• Sourcing, commissioning and editing images and videos for online content.

• Proactively liaising with colleagues and other stakeholders to encourage them to write relevant and interesting content.

• Enhancing knowledge within the organisation towards the delivery of high-quality digital content, particularly in relation to best practice content design strategy, user experience, search engine optimisation and digital audience generation and growth.

• Supporting the development, application and maintenance of website standards, with particular reference to accessibility, language and data protection.

• Supporting the development of policies, protocols, templates and other documentation for the communications function.

• Regular analysis and reporting on digital communications activities, and implementing changes based on the results of analysis.

• Keeping up to date with the overall development of communications and emerging issues/progress in the area.

• Overseeing the organisation of corporate and civic events.

• Managing and supervising staff where assigned.

• Planning, developing and prioritising work programmes.

• Motivating, empowering and encouraging staff.

• Ensuring full compliance with all organisational policies and procedures.

• Supporting the implementation of good practices with transparent reporting and communications to deliver accountable services in the department/Council.

• Compiling, preparing and presenting information as necessary, including reports or correspondence that may be of a sensitive and/or confidential nature.

• Supporting the evaluation of the delivery and impact of communications activities.

• Undertaking any other duties and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

Please note that the above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work expected. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the position.

COMPLETING A COMPETENCY-BASED APPLICATION FORM

A Competency-Based Application Form requires you, as the candidate, to describe some of your personal achievements to date to demonstrate certain competencies (necessary skills and qualities) required for the position you are applying for.

All question areas must be answered, as you will be questioned on all areas should you be called for interview. You should describe situation(s) from your own experience that you think are the best example(s) of what you have done to demonstrate the specific competency. It is essential that you describe how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question.

The example(s) may be drawn from your experience in various settings, including employment, community, sporting or voluntary activities. Please do not use the same example to illustrate your answer to more than two areas of competence.

Please note that the interview board may look for additional examples of where you demonstrated the skills required for the post.

Key Competencies for the post of Communications Officer include the following. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form, as any shortlisting or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates.

Management and Change

• Demonstrates innovation and creativity to secure successful strategic outcomes.

• Effectively manages the introduction of change and demonstrates flexibility and openness to change.

Delivering Results

• Develops realistic and challenging team plans that are consistent with the local authority’s stated values and policies, together with review processes to ensure that all relevant operations support the Council’s mission and vision.

• Plans and prioritises work and resources effectively.

• Establishes high-quality service and customer care standards.

• Makes timely, informed and effective decisions and shows good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations.

• Creates opportunities or overcomes obstacles by rethinking or reconceptualising practices or procedures.

Personal Effectiveness, Personal Motivation and Initiative

• Adopts a positive and constructive approach to work.

• Sets challenging standards and achieves high-quality outcomes.

• Responds positively to the challenges of the role.

• Manages own time effectively to achieve objectives.

Communicating Effectively

• Recognises the value of and requirement to communicate effectively. Has effective verbal and written communication skills and good interpersonal skills.

• Presents ideas effectively to individuals and groups and delivers presentations suited to the nature and needs of the audience.

• Writes fluently, clearly structures written communication and demonstrates experience of report writing and correspondence in non-routine work situations.

• Advocates a realistic approach and demonstrates experience of work-based dealings with a variety of individuals/agencies.

Relevant Knowledge and Experience

• Understanding of the role of Communications Manager in the Local Authority.

• Relevant experience, including media and public relations experience.

• Knowledge of local authority services and communication strategies.

• Experience of strategic communications and marketing.

• Possesses media and administrative experience of a high standard.

• Understands the role and duties in safety management in the workplace.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

The Post

The post is whole-time, permanent and pensionable.

The postholder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of their duties as an employee of a local authority, or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of their duties as a local authority employee.

Duties

You shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to you in relation to your employment and as may be appropriate to any particular function of any local authority for which the Chief Executive is responsible, and carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of your duties.

You shall, if required, act for an employee of a higher level. You may be required to work outside your normal job description from time to time.

Salary

The scale for the post of Communications Officer is analogous to the Administrative Officer (Circular Letter EL 04/2026) as follows:

€61,217 – €62,716 – €64,464 – €66,219 – €67,973 – €69,541 – €71,146 – €72,702 – €74,253 – €76,910 (LSI 1) – €79,583 (LSI 2)

Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. The starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

The holder of the position shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than inclusive salary) payable to or received by such holder by virtue of the position or in respect of services which are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Work Base

Carlow County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department or premises in use by the Council, 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 provide themselves, at their own expense, with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

Working Hours

The working hours at present provide for a five-day, 35-hour working week. Hours may vary from time to time.

Carlow County Council operates a flexible time scheme with the earliest starting time of 8.00 a.m. and the latest start time of 10.00 a.m., the earliest finishing time of 4.00 p.m. and the latest finishing time of 18.00 p.m.

A lunch break consisting of a minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours must be taken between 12.30 p.m. and 14.30 p.m.

The Flexi Leave Scheme is available on request.

There may be a requirement to work additional hours from time to time, for which Time in Lieu on a time-for-time basis will apply. Overtime does not apply to this post.

All hours of work will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

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

Probation

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a Local Authority is employed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) There shall be a period after such employment takes effect during which such person shall hold such position on probation.

(b) Such period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may, at their discretion, extend such period.

(c) Such person will cease to hold such position at the end of the period of probation unless, during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory.

(d) The period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one week's notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts.

(e) There may be assessment(s) during the probationary period.

Health

For the purposes of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before they are appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.

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, as determined by Carlow County Council.

Annual Leave

The current annual leave entitlement is 30 days. Granting annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (as amended).

Sick Leave

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

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, Carlow County Council reserves the right to seek both written and verbal references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisation with which the candidate has been associated.

The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.