Economic Development Officer

County Kerry has a population of approximately 155,000 people in an area covering 4,700 square kilometres and Kerry County Council is responsible for the delivery of the full range of local government services.

Kerry County Council seeks to enhance the county’s attraction as a place in which to invest, work, and live, and takes the lead role in shaping the strategic vision of the county. It provides a diverse, multi-layered and evolving range of services to both citizens and visitors to County Kerry, which include the provision of housing, planning, development, environmental, roads and traffic, leisure and community services. It also has an enhanced role in leading out economic and community development in the County. The Council works in partnership with other state, public and private bodies in the delivery of critical infrastructure and shared services.

The 2026 annual revenue budget for the local authority is approximately €248 million. The Council also continues to invest in the infrastructure of the county and through its Capital Investment Programme and capital expenditure in the region of €259 million is proposed for 2026.

Kerry County Council has an elected body comprising of thirty-three Councillors and employs a workforce in excess of 1500 employees, currently covering 5 Municipal Districts – Tralee, Killarney, Listowel, Kenmare and Castleisland - Corca Dhuibhne.

THE POSITION

A key objective of Kerry County Council is to support the diversification of the local economy and to support job creation in a broad range of sectors, including tourism.

The Economic Development Officer is a key role in achieving this objective and the appointee will be part of the Economic Development Team.

The job requires a candidate with excellent oral and written communication skills and with the ability to think strategically. Fostering working relationships with a range of statutory, public and private sector partners is a key requirement of the job.

The role of the Economic Development Officer will include:

• supporting job creation in a broad range of sectors across County Kerry

• identifying opportunities and attracting investment to County Kerry

• promoting County Kerry as a place to live, work and invest in

• preparing an Economic Strategy for County Kerry that is action oriented and aligned with the Local Economic and Community Plan and the County Development Plan 2022 – 2028

• working with other sections of Kerry County Council to optimise employment and investment opportunities across County Kerry

• working with key stakeholders such as IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Udarás na Gaeltachta, Kerry ETB, Munster Technological University and other State Agencies and Government Departments to support the economic ecosystem of County Kerry

• working with local community groups and business representative organisations to enhance the business ecosystem of County Kerry, including strengthening the network of Enterprise Centres / Innovation Centres across Kerry

• identifying and pursuing funding to achieve these economic objectives

APPOINTMENTS: Subject to the availability of suitability qualified candidates a panel will be formed on the basis of this competition, from which both permanent and/or temporary offers of employment may be made.

SALARY: €60,611 - €78,795 - with annual increments payable subject to satisfactory overall performance, attendance, etc.

Offers of appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of this scale. Where the person being appointed is a serving local authority employee, normal starting pay rules will apply.

ANNUAL LEAVE: 30 days per annum

HOURS OF WORK: While the normal working week will constitute 35 hours, the appointee will be required to work the hours directed by the Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, which will include hours outside of the normal working day associated with the responsibilities and requirements of the post.

A flexible working hours scheme is in operation.

THE PERSON

CHARACTER:

Each candidate must be of good character.

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.

CITIZENSHIP:

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a) a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA), or

The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

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

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE, ETC.:

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

(i) hold a recognised third level qualification (NFQ Level 8) or equivalent professional qualification in business, economics, development, or a related discipline

(ii) have a minimum of 5 years relevant post qualification experience in a related discipline

Candidates will also be required to demonstrate:-

• Experience in strategic planning

• Excellent communication skills

• A business acumen and an understanding of the factors that influence business decisions

• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills

• A track record of delivery, particularly in the area of economic development / job creation

The ideal candidate shall:

• be comfortable working in multi-disciplined teams and have the ability to motivate, empower and encourage others to achieve maximum performance, effectiveness and efficiency

• be highly organised, decisive and disciplined, driven to deliver the required results

• have experience in delivering strategy

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The key responsibilities of the post include, but are not limited to: -

• supporting job creation in a broad range of sectors across County Kerry

• identifying opportunities and attracting investment to County Kerry

• promoting County Kerry as a place to live, work and invest in

• preparing an Economic Strategy for County Kerry that is action oriented and aligned with the Local Economic and Community Plan and the County Development Plan 2022 – 2028

• working with other sections of Kerry County Council to optimise employment and investment opportunities across County Kerry

• working with key stakeholders such as IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Udarás na Gaeltachta, Kerry ETB, Munster Technological University and other State Agencies and Government Departments to support the economic ecosystem of County Kerry

• working with local community groups and business representative organisations to enhance the business ecosystem of County Kerry, including strengthening the network of Enterprise Centres / Innovation Centres across Kerry

• identifying and pursuing funding to achieve these economic objectives

• monitoring and reporting on targets, budgets and other key performance indicators on a quarterly basis

• attending trade shows, industry events/conferences, seminars and workshops as the Council’s representative;

• management and supervision of staff;

In addition, appointees will be required to:

• assist in the provision of prudent financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation

• comply with Health and Safety legislation at all times

• ensure an efficient and effective response to all stakeholders

• prepare reports as required

• attend training as required

• participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to their grade

• undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required, or assigned, from time to time

• deputise for other employees of a higher grade as required

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria set out above, candidates must be able to demonstrate that they possess the following key competencies:-

Management and Change

• Think and act strategically

• Develop and maintain positive, productive and beneficial working relationships

• Effectively manage the introduction of change and demonstrate flexibility and openness to change

Delivering Results

• Contribute to the development of operational plans and lead the development of team plans

• Plan and prioritise work and resources effectively

• Establish high quality service and customer care standards

• Make timely, informed and effective decisions and show good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations

• Delivering funding to advance projects

Leading, Motivating & Managing Performance

• Lead, motivate and engage employees to achieve quality results and to deliver on operational plans

• Effectively manage performance

Personal Effectiveness

• Take initiative and seek opportunities to exceed goals

• Manage time and workload effectively and operate in an environment with significant complexity and pace

• Maintain a positive, constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role

• Manage and supervise staff, including managing performance

• Stakeholder engagement with an understanding of the economic development agencies

• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

• Relevant experience at a sufficiently high level

• Knowledge and understanding of the role of Economic Development Officer

• Understanding of the economic environment of County Kerry

• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government and of current issues, priorities and concerns and the strategic direction of local government in relation to economic development

• Experience of compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence, etc.

• Effective budget and financial and resource management skills

FORMAT OF THE COMPETITION

All applications must be completed via the competition application form and filled out in full. When completing the application form, accuracy is essential as the information supplied in the form will play a central part in the selection process.

Where the volume of applications received exceeds that required to fill existing and future vacancies, and / or where it would not be practical to interview all applicants, Kerry County Council reserves the right to arrange short listing of applications. It is in each candidate’s own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of their relevant qualifications/ experience on the application form and also to demonstrate sufficient evidence of the competencies required for the positions under each competency.

Short-listing may take the form of Desk-top Short-listing or a Preliminary Interview. Candidates deemed qualified and/or most suitable will progress to the interview stage

Applicants called for interview will be required to demonstrate the competencies outlined below.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Kerry County Council will not be responsible for any expense, including travelling expenses, which candidates may incur in connection with their candidature. Candidates will be asked for details of any special requirements which they may have in attending for interview.

Candidates invited to attend for interview may be asked, at any stage of the recruitment process, to supply further documentation in relation to their academic qualifications, employment history, etc. Any offer of employment will be subject to verification of information provided on the application form, pre-employment medical examination, reference checks, and Garda vetting if appropriate. An applicant who is found to be ineligible at any stage of the competition will not be further considered. Provision of inaccurate, untrue or misleading information will result in disqualification from the competition, withdrawal of employment offered, or dismissal.

Any attempt by a candidate himself or herself or by any person(s) acting at the candidate’s instigation, directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise, to canvass or otherwise influence in the candidate’s favour, any member of the staff of Kerry County Council or person nominated by Kerry County Council to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidate for the position being sought.