Digital & Social Media Officer

The strategic role of the Programme is: 1.1.1 To promote knowledge sharing and coordination in implementing RBMPs and POMs by local authorities, other public authorities, sectoral interests, and community groups. 1.1.2 To co-ordinate/undertake statutorily required public consultation in the development of RBMPs and POMs and a public awareness campaign in water resources management. 1.1.3 To seek consistency of RBMP implementation across agencies. 1.1.4 To assist the Minister and the EPA and work collaboratively with local authorities in the development of RBMPs and POMs. 1.1.5 To mobilise and support engagement of voluntary and community groups in protecting our natural waters. 1.1.6 To foster linkages with industry and agricultural sectors. 1.1.7 To develop linkages with local sectoral representative organisations, such as Catchment Partnerships, Rural Development Companies, Rivers Trusts, Tidy Towns Groups, business and industry sectors including Chambers of Commerce, county level farming organisations, sports clubs and volunteering sectors, angling and outdoor recreational user groups, etc. 1.2 RECRUITMENT DETAILS As part of the team structure of The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), it is intended to immediately recruit one [1] position of Digital and Social Media Officer (Staff Officer – Grade V). A panel will be formed from which any subsequent LAWPRO Digital and Social Media Officer (Grade V) positions for any of the LAWPRO locations across the country may be filled.

Current LAWPRO Regional Office Locations: • Head Office: Ballingarrane, Clonmel Co. Tipperary • Border Region: Donegal Town, Co. Donegal or Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan • Midlands and East Region: Dublin 8 or Tullamore, Co Offaly • South-East Region: Clonmel or Tipperary town, Co. Tipperary, or Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny • South-West Region: Croom, Co. Limerick or Inniscarra, Co. Cork • Western Region: Galway (Liosbán Estate) or Castlebar, Co. Mayo Local Government and Heritage to inform the appropriate level of resources and involvement to meet Water Framework Directive objectives into the future. It is likely that parts of the work schedule will be outside normal office hours, so flexibility will be required. Should current permanent/full-time Local Authority staff be successful and accept a post in this competition, appropriate secondment arrangements will be put in place.

2.0 JOB REQUIREMENTS 2.1 MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Minimum Eligibility Requirements are the minimum requirements required for the specialist Digital and Social Media Officer position and are set out by LAWPRO in consultation with Kilkenny/Tipperary County Council Human Resources Departments and the Water Policy Unit of the DHLGH as they are not set centrally by the Department.

PLEASE NOTE FAILURE TO UPLOAD ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS I.E. QUALIFICATIONS, I.D. ETC., AT SUBMISSION STAGE WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN AN INVALID APPLICATION. ALSO, FAILURE TO FULLY COMPLETE EACH QUESTION ON THE APPLICATION FORM MAY DEEM YOUR APPLICATION INVALID (ANSWERS WHICH REDIRECT TO OTHER RESPONSES ARE NOT PERMITTED). Applicants will be required to submit scanned images of documentation to establish the applicant meets the following minimum eligibility criteria: 2.1.1 Character Each candidate must be of good character. 2.1.2 Health Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. 2.1.3 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. 2.1.4 Education, Experience etc.

Candidate shall: On the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, candidates shall have:- (i) Hold a third level qualification in Communications, Digital Media or Social Media or similar or a professional qualification in a Digital Media related discipline, and (ii) At least 2 years of relevant satisfactory professional experience in communications, digital media or marketing. and (iii) Hold a clean, current Class B Driving Licence and have access to his/her own car.

2.2 DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS • Experience in content creation, tracking Digital analytics and graphic design will be required. Experience using Wordpress, Canva and all social media channels required. • A proven track record in building, managing and nurturing partnerships and relationships across a wide range of key stakeholders through digital media channels to deliver project objectives. • Excellent facilitation and event management skills.

The ideal candidate shall: 2.2.1 Have an excellent knowledge and understanding of digital analytics, goal setting and reporting. 2.2.2 Proven and demonstrable skills in designing, delivering and publishing digital content. 2.2.3 Excellent knowledge of up-to-date digital best practice and setting strategic goals for digital.

2.2.4 Innovative and creative approach to digital content. 2.2.5 Excellent written and verbal communication skills to communicate effectively a different range of stakeholders 2.2.6 Experience of working effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team. 2.2.7 Excellent organisational skills. 2.2.8 Ability to input into and feedback on campaign plans and support others with developing strategic digital activities. Applicants should satisfy themselves they are eligible under the required qualifications. Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils may not be in a position to investigate the eligibility of all candidates in advance of the interview/examination, and hence persons who are ineligible but nevertheless enter, may put themselves to unnecessary expense.

3.0 JOB DESCRIPTION 3.1 ROLE Reporting to LAWPRO Communications & Engagement Leads the Digital and Social Media Officer will be responsible for Tasks associated with this role include: 3.1.1 Assisting the Communications Leads to develop and implement a Digital & Social Media policy and digital communication plans in order to deliver the LAWPRO’s strategic objectives. 3.1.2 Create and produce high-quality digital content (e.g. video, graphics, multimedia etc.) for use on social media, campaigns, websites, and other platforms. 3.1.3 Coordinate digital communications projects, liaising with stakeholders to gather requirements and understand needs. 3.1.4 Capturing and creating striking digital content through photography and video. 3.1.5 Manage user-generated content. 3.1.6 Ensuring content adheres to appropriate policy and legal requirements and always including important accessibility guidelines before publishing. 3.1.7 Identify opportunities for social media projects and development of content for same. 3.1.8 Evaluate opportunities to boost content and monitor and report on paid campaigns. 3.1.9 Regular analysis and reporting on digital communications activities and implementing change from the results of analysis. 3.1.10 Be aware and keep up to date with best practice and strategic use of digital communications. 3.1.11 Share knowledge and learnings with the wider communications team and LAWPRO as a whole, through the development of guidance and toolkits. 3.1.12 Supporting the efficient organisation of LAWPRO events, through the incorporation of key communications aspects in the planning and roll-out of such events. 3.1.13 Assisting with public relations, including media queries, monitoring news coverage and maintaining good working relations with the media. 3.1.14 Work with LAWPRO’s communications team to collaborate with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council on annual stakeholder and community engagement initiatives. 3.1.15 Any other duties relevant to the role that may be identified from time to time.

The Digital and Social Media Officerr Officer will be employed by either Kilkenny County Council or Tipperary County Council. 4.0 PARTICULARS OF OFFICE 4.1 SALARY The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the office shall pay to Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils any fees or other monies (other than inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform. In accordance with EL02/2011 persons who are not serving Local Authority employees must be placed on the minimum of the scale. Where a person being appointed is a serving Local Authority employee normal starting pay rules will apply. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy.

The current salary scale for the post is €49,214 minimum to €58,867 inclusive of LSI’s. 4.2 SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTION 4.2.1 Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 New members joining the public sector on or after 1st January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. It applies to all first-time entrants to the Public Service as well as former public servants returning to the public sector after a break of more than 26 weeks. Your contributions will be made up of 3% of your gross pensionable remuneration and 3.5% of your net pensionable remuneration (your gross pensionable remuneration less twice the value of the Contributory State Pension). Your normal retirement age under this scheme is the same age at which you can claim the Contributory State Pension. The minimum age for receipt of this pension is Age 66. There is a compulsory retirement age of 70 years. 4.2.2 Persons who commenced in Public Service Employment after 6th April 1995 and prior to 1st January 2013: Persons who became pensionable employees after 6th April 1995 and prior to 1st of January 2013, without a break in employment, will join the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998. Contributions are payable at the rate of 1.5% of your basic salary, 3.5% of basic salary less twice two times the value of the Contributory State Pension and a further 1.5% is payable for spouse and children’s contributions (*non-officer grades pay a co-ordinated contribution:

‘Non-New Entrants’ (those who became pensionable after 6th of April 1995 and prior to 1st April 2004) have a minimum retirement age of 60 and a compulsory retirement age of 70.

‘New Entrants’ (those who became pensionable after 1st April 2004 and prior to 1st January 2013) have minimum retirement age of 65 with no compulsory retirement age.

4.2.3 Persons who commenced in Public Service Employment before 6th April 1995:

The minimum retirement age is 60 and they have a compulsory retirement age of 70 as per Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government Circular Letter CL/2/2019. Contributions are 5% of basic salary and 1.5% of basic salary toward Widow’s & Orphan’s or Spouse & Children’s Scheme.

4.3 PENSION ABATEMENT If the appointee was previously employed in the Civil Service or in the Public Service please note that the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 (Section 52) includes a provision which extends abatement of pension for all Civil and Public Servants who are reemployed where a Public Service Pension is in payment. This provision to apply abatement across the wider public service came into effect on 1 November 2012. This may have pension implications for any person appointed to this position that is currently in receipt of a Civil or Public Service pension or has a preserved Civil or Public Service pension which will come into payment during his/her employment in this position. Prior to appointment, successful applicants will be obliged to complete a declaration in relation to previous Public Service pensionable employment. Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/Office will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.

4.4 PENSION ACRUAL A 40-year limit on total service that can be counted towards pension where a person has been a member of more than one pre-existing public service pension scheme (i.e. non-Single Scheme) as per the 2012 Act shall apply. This 40-year limit is provided for in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. This may have implications for any appointee who has acquired pension rights in a previous public service employment. 4.5 PROBATION The following provisions shall apply: 4.5.1 There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such office on probation; 4.5.2 Such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion extend such period; 4.5.3 Such persons shall cease to hold such employment at end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory. 4.6 PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION For the purposes of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for each successful applicant, before he/she is appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils. In the event the applicant does not take up the post following the pre-employment medical, he/she will reimburse Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils the cost of the medical examination, as per a previously signed understanding. 4.7 HOURS OF WORK The hours of work are 35 hours per week including a significant part of the work schedule that is workable outside of normal office hours. The salary being paid for the post is in respect of all 35 hours worked. 4.8 ANNUAL LEAVE Annual leave entitlement for this position is 30 days per annum in accordance with Department of Environment, Community & Local Government Circular LG(P) 07/2011. 4.9 TRAVEL When required to do so holders of the office shall hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles free from endorsement and disqualification 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. It is Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils policy that all staff using their private cars for work purposes, regardless of the frequency should: 1) Indemnify Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils on their personal insurance policy 2) Note business class on their personal policy 3) It is the obligation of the driver/owner to ensure that the vehicle is fit to be on the public road. When applicable for specific roles, travelling 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 any other relevant documents. 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.

4.10 LOCATION The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to performed or within a reasonable distance thereof. 4.11 SAFETY, HEALTH & WELFARE The holder of the post shall comply with Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils Safety Management System. He/she shall familiarise him/herself with the Safety statement for his/ her section and all the associated safety & health risk assessments, safe systems of work, and procedures and make proper use of all safety clothing and equipment. Failure to comply with the Safety Statement and its requirements may result in disciplinary action. 4.12 TRAINING It is a condition of employment that successful applicants will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post. 4.13 POLICIES & PROCEDURES The post-holder will be expected to abide and adhere to the policies & procedures applicable to Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils.