Digital Communications Co-Ordinator

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 Digital Communications Co-Ordinator be drawn.

The Digital Communications Co-Ordinator will be part of a team in the Corporate Services Department, with the main aim of maintaining the delivery of the Council's communications priorities.

This role is a multi-faceted role, and they will be involved in a variety of disciplines, such as internal communications, external communications, media relations (traditional and social), events, campaigns and customer service. 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:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of Council's Communications Strategy.

• Implementing integrated communications campaigns to promote the Council.

• Proactively developing relations with media and providing an effective point of contact for media engagement & media enquiries.

• Drafting press releases, statements, speeches, briefings and other communications materials.

• Media monitoring, digital analytics and campaign evaluation.

• Developing compelling content for use across a range of channels including editorial copy, graphics, digital and video.

• Identifying appropriate communications channels, for the successful promotion and dissemination of the Council's strategic priorities and key messages.

• Creating social media appropriate content regularly and working with IT to ensure it is published across relevant platforms including websites, social media, blogs, etc.

• Creation of suitable content (copywriting, editing, design), for various media outlets, including but not limited to press releases, advertorials, infographics, and blogs.

• Proof-reading various publications as needed.

• Maintenance and development of media databases.

• Event management of Council PR events as required.

• Management of press clippings archive.

• Coordinating and issuing regular communications.

• Monitoring the success of activities undertaken, gathering the results to inform future activities through evaluation and presenting progress reports on same.

• Undertaking any other duties to further the efficient organisation of Corporate Communications as required.

• Undertake duties and responsibility of Staff Officer as may be required or assigned from time to time.

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

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

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.

Education, Training, Experience

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

i. (a) Have obtained at least a Grade D (or a pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or 4 subjects if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education's established Leaving Cert Examination or Leaving Cert 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.

iv. Desirable but not essential Qualifications & Experience

a) A third-level qualification in Communications, Marketing or a closely related discipline, at a minimum Level 6 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework.

b) A minimum of two years' relevant experience in a comparable communications role.

c) Proven proficiency in design of content generation with excellent writing skills and a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

*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 Ideal Candidate

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

• Have excellent written and verbal communications 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.

• Experience in digital communications.

• Have excellent knowledge and understanding of digital analytics, goal setting and reporting.

• Experience in the creation of visual content – graphics and video.

• Innovative and creative approach to digital.

• Have experience of handling press and media relations.

• Can think creatively and deliver engaging content.

• Demonstrate the ability to contribute to campaign planning, provide constructive feedback on campaign strategies, and support colleagues in developing strategic digital initiatives.

• Ability to work collaboratively within a team while providing excellent customer service and maintaining high service standards.

• Have the capacity to perform efficiently in a fast-paced environment and consistently meet demanding deadlines.

• Can take ownership of issues/tasks and work on own initiative.

• 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.

• Understand the changing operating environment of the local authority and be capable of leading and implementing change to deliver quality services to our citizens.

• Have knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

• Understand the importance of ensuring strong ethical standards are set and maintained.

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

Particulars of Office (Including Retirement)

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.

Salary

The current salary for the post of Digital Communications Co-Ordinator is €52,761 - €63,109 per annum, analogous to 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.

You agree 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).

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 the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

A person paying Class A rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority will be required, in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of his/her superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration.

A person paying Class D rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable Officer of a local authority, depending on their existing scheme, may be a member of a dependent scheme, i.e. either the Local Government (Widows & Orphans Contributory Pension) Scheme or Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme and, if a member of either scheme, will be required, in respect of this, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.