Communications Officer

The Position

The Council now invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and fixed term contract posts for the position of Communications Officer will be drawn.

The Communications Officer will be part of a team in the Corporate Services Department, with the main objective of maintaining the delivery of the Councils communications priorities.

This role is a multi-faceted role, and the Communications Officer will be working in a variety of disciplines, such as internal communications, external communications, media relations (traditional and social), events, campaigns and customer services.

The post presents a range of exciting opportunities to serve the public through the development of clear, informative and citizen focused communications in support of the work of Westmeath County Council.

Duties & Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the development and implementation of the Council’s communications strategy and associated communications plans.

• Develop and deliver engagement, promotion and outreach strategies for Council committees, forums and initiatives.

• Provide leadership and advice on communications policy, strategy and decisionmaking across the organisation.

• Ensure compliance with relevant language legislation, communications policies and service standards provision.

• Maximise digital communication opportunities across all appropriate platforms and channels.

• Support and enhance the development and management of internal and external communications.

• Enhance the Council’s website, ensuring content is accurate, accessible, customer and user focused and is up to date.

• Proactively lead and manage media relations, including media engagement, press management and response to media queries.

• Promote consistent application of the Council’s policies and communications standards.

• Coordinate the development of publications, press releases, website content and other communication materials.

• Create, edit and publish high-quality written, visual and audio-visual content for digital and traditional channels.

• Liaise with internal departments and external stakeholders to source content and ensure effective communications and engagement.

• Apply best practice in content design, user experience, accessibility, plain English for digital audience and to provide for customer service growth.

• Manage user-generated content and oversee the sourcing, commissioning and editing of images and video content in line with best practice.

• Develop and maintain communications policies, protocols, templates and standards.

• Monitor, analyse and report on communications performance, implementing improvements based on findings to management.

• Provide communication reports on developments, trends and emerging issues in communications and digital media.

• Manage, supervise, motivate and support staff as part of the Corporate Services team.

• Co-ordinate and manage media engagement at Council events including Civic Receptions.

• Plan, prioritise and oversee work programmes and projects to ensure effective service delivery.

• Ensure compliance with organisational policies, procedures and governance requirements.

• Support transparency, accountability and good practice in communications and reporting.

• Prepare reports, presentations, correspondence and briefing materials, including sensitive and confidential documentation.

• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of communications activities and campaigns.

• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role as assigned.

The post holder may be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to an appropriate Officer or such duties as designated from time to time.

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 regular and efficient service.

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

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, Experience

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

a) Hold a Level 7 qualification in communications, public relations, public affairs, journalism or marketing and

b) Have a minimum of 3 years relevant experience in a senior communications, public relations, public affairs or journalism role.

and

c) must hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles

Candidates must provide evidence of their relevant qualifications at application stage.

*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.

5. The ideal candidate:

• Have experience in developing and managing communications strategies, ideally within the public sector or a public service environment.

• Strong initiative, presentation, relationship management and strategic planning skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, combined with a positive and professional approach.

• Experience in digital communications and content management.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong focus on accuracy and attention to detail.

• Experience in the development and use of visual and graphic communications.

• Proven experience in media engagement and press relations.

• Ability to think creatively and develop engaging, audience-focused content.

• Experience in leading, managing and supervising staff, including performance management and development.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, with a strong commitment to customer service and service excellence.

• Ability to take ownership of tasks and issues, working independently and using initiative to achieve objectives.

• Flexibility to work outside normal business hours when required, including evenings, weekends and public holidays.

• Ability to perform effectively in a demanding environment, managing competing priorities and meeting strict deadlines.

• Commitment to continuous professional development and a willingness to embrace new skills, technologies and ways of working.

• Understanding of the evolving local government environment, with the ability to support and implement organisational change to enhance service delivery.

• Experience in planning, coordinating and delivering corporate events.

• Knowledge and practical experience of ICT systems and various digital technologies.

• Understand the importance of maintaining high ethical standards and promoting good governance practices.

• Awareness of Health and Safety and Data Governance legislation and regulations, together with their practical application in the workplace.

• Competency in spoken and written Irish is desirable.

Particulars of Office (including retirement)

1. The Post

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 Chief Executive.

The panel may be used to fill permanent & fixed term positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

Vacancies may arise on a county-wide basis. Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any work location having regard to funding and/or operational circumstances.

2. Salary

The current salary for the post of Communications Officer is €58,474 - €71,437 per annum, analogous to Senior Staff Officer. (including Long Service Increments), as per Circular EL 04/2026.

Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with the Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

New Entrants to the Local Authority Service commence on the 1st point of the scale in accordance with current Government Policy as set out in Department of the Environment Circular Letter EL 02/2011 of 28th January 2011 and Circular EL 05/2016 dated 5th February 2016.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by Pay Path directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions e.g. PAYE and PRSI.

Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

The post holder agrees that in the event of an overpayment of salary or other monies to you, the Council reserves the right to deduct monies from your “wages” (for the purposes of the Payment of Wages Act, 1991) for the purpose of reimbursement of the Council of the amount of the overpayment(s), in keeping with the Payment of Wages Act 1991, Section 5(5).

3. Superannuation and Retirement

Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details of the relevant scheme will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice