Education Administrator Executive Officer

The Position

Background

The Heritage in Schools Programme is a primary school heritage education initiative which facilitates visits to primary schools by a range of experts on Ireland’s natural, cultural, and built heritage and is the Heritage Council main activity for primary schools. Visits are part funded by the school, and the remainder of the fee and travel expenses are funded by the Heritage Council.

In 2000, when the Programme was launched a panel of 49 Specialists was recruited and 187 school visits were undertaken. Uptake has grown steadily, year on year, since then, with a panel of 134 active members delivering 3,071 visits in 2025. Since Heritage Council records began in 2012, more than 28,000 specialist visits in total have been made to over 3,200 schools nationwide, engaging an estimated 1.7 million schoolchildren.

Building on the success of the primary programme, The Heritage Council Strategic Plan 2023 to 2028 Our Place in Time, is committed to the establishment of a similar post primary programme. A pilot post primary programme in Transition Year, Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate classes was trialled in the academic year 2024 to 2025 and the first term of 2025 to 2026. A proof of concept was established, and Council has approved its commencement to a national roll out in September 2026.

Alongside the delivery of the Heritage in Schools Programme, the Heritage Council has also committed in its Strategic Plan to develop heritage in education policy more broadly, to produce a Heritage in Education Charter with the aim of mainstreaming heritage in education, and to increase access to skills and training provision across the heritage sector.

The Role

Working closely with colleagues in the Research, Learning, and Cultural Heritage department, the Education Administrator EO will play a key role in supporting the effective administration, governance, and delivery of the long established Heritage in Schools programme at primary level and its introduction at post primary level. The Education Administrator will report directly to the Heritage in Schools Programme Manager to support the Heritage in Schools programme primary and post primary, and any other duties as may arise in the Heritage Council wider work in education, skills and training.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The main duties of the role include but are not limited to:

Administration and Coordination

Provide day to day administrative support to the Heritage in Schools Programme Manager and the wider education team.

Support key workstreams, projects, and compliance activities as required.

Assist with scheduling, minute taking, agenda preparation, briefing materials, and follow up actions for meetings.

Maintain programme documentation, project files, registers for example risk, contacts, outputs, and reporting templates.

Support the development and monitoring of annual work plans, reports and timelines.

Support the delivery of related heritage in education programmes, activities and other tasks that may be assigned from time to time.

Programme Support

Support the procurement and onboarding of new specialists to the Heritage in Schools Panel and supporting existing Heritage in Schools Panel members.

Ensure Garda Vetting for all panel members is processed, valid and up to date and ensure completion of Children First e learning by each specialist.

Create and update website and booking system profile pages for each specialist.

Support induction training delivery and networking events.

Maintain training records and manage documentation relating to insurance policies.

Monitor school feedback and upload testimonials to specialist profile pages.

Manage phone and email queries from specialists regarding bookings, claims, and administrative processes.

Support the rollout of new systems, training resources, and related administrative tasks.

Manage bookings made through the online Heritage in Schools booking system.

Respond to queries from schools regarding programme processes and booking procedures.

Providing clear, timely guidance to ensure a positive user experience for teachers and schools.

Payments and Financial Administration

Process payments to Panel members in line with approved procedures.

Ensure all required documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant.

Raise purchase orders and timely invoice payment in line with public procurement processes.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

Act as a professional and informed point of contact for schools, specialists, and internal colleagues.

Handle queries efficiently and provide accurate programme information.

Events and Logistics Support

Arrange venues, travel, accommodation, accessibility supports, catering, registrations, and event communications.

Assist with event materials, briefings, presentation packs, attendee coordination and follow up feedback collection.

Communications and Public Engagement Support

Coordinate social media assets and digital content in collaboration with communications providers.

Support the collation of information and images for PR materials, newsletters, and web updates.

Maintain mailing lists, stakeholder directories and communication logs.

And other duties as may be assigned by the line manager or Chief Executive Officer.

The responsibilities outlined in this job description should not be regarded as comprehensive in scope and may be added to or altered as required, in line with the requirements of The Heritage Council.

Education, Training and Experience

Essential Criteria

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications have:

At least 2 years of relevant experience.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience of delivering projects through social media.

Budget management and financial literacy.

Strong administrative and organisational skills, with experience supporting complex programmes or projects.

Demonstrated ability to manage logistics for meetings and events.

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.

High level of accuracy and attention to detail in record keeping and documentation.

Ability to prioritise work, manage competing demands and meet deadlines.

Competence in Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools.

Demonstrated commitment to public service values and inclusive practice.

Full unendorsed category B driving licence and full time access to a car, or for candidates who are unable to drive, full time access to transport.

Desirable Criteria

A level 7 qualification or above in a relevant discipline.

Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.

Excellent time management skills and ability to work to deadlines.

The ability to communicate through the Irish language, both verbal and written.

Familiarity with communications, digital content management or PR support.

Reporting

The successful candidate will report to the Heritage in Schools Programme Manager or any other person as may be determined from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer.

Competencies for the Role

People Management

Analysis and Decision Making

Delivery of Results

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must be, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

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 European Union 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 United Kingdom or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.

Conditions of Service

Tenure

The post is a whole time, permanent position.

Salary

The position is analogous to the Civil Service Grade of Executive Officer. The PPC salary scale, including the required pension contribution, is set out below.

Point 1 €38,419

Point 2 €40,360

Point 3 €41,456

Point 4 €43,594

Point 5 €45,510

Point 6 €47,364

Point 7 €49,211

Point 8 €51,024

Point 9 €52,890

Point 10 €54,749

Point 11 €56,722

Point 12 €58,044

Long Service Increment 1 €59,928

Long Service Increment 2 €62,601

After three years service at Point 12. After three years service at Long Service Increment 1. Pay scale as of 1 February 2026.

Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the salary scale and the rate of remuneration, including incremental progression, will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if you are currently a serving civil or public servant. The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post shall pay to The Heritage Council any fees or other monies other than their inclusive salary payable to or received by them by virtue of their employment or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. An allowance may also be payable in respect of travel expenses and subsistence.

It is the individual responsibility of former public or civil servant candidates to ensure their eligibility to apply. In particular, potential candidates who participated in a voluntary severance or redundancy or early retirement programmes, received a redundancy payment or are in receipt of a public sector pension, should familiarise themselves with their individual conditions pertaining to public sector re employment and declare same if applying.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement for this role based on a full time role is 23 days per year, rising to 24 days after 5 years service, 25 days after 10 years service, 26 days after 12 years service and 27 days after 14 years service.

Place of Work

The place of work will be The Heritage Council headquarters, Áras na hOidhreachta, Church Lane, Kilkenny.

Blended Working

The Heritage Council is pleased to offer a blended working model that supports both collaboration and flexibility.

Flexible Working

The Heritage Council is committed to providing a supportive and modern working environment and is pleased to offer flexible working arrangements as part of this recruitment campaign. Recognising the importance of work life balance, the organisation supports a range of flexible options, including blended working, flexible start and finish times.

Hours of Attendance

The standard working week is 35 hours.

The successful candidate will be required to work additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of his or her duties, subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations.

Probation

There shall be a period after the appointment takes effect during which the appointed person shall hold such employment on probation. Such period shall be six months, but the Chief Executive may, at her discretion, extend such period. A person may cease to hold such employment at the end of this period at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer.

Retirement or Superannuation

The appointee will be offered the appropriate superannuation terms and conditions as prevailing at the time of being offered an appointment. Effective from 1 January 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks.

All new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Scheme.

Retirement Age will be determined by the terms of the Public Service Superannuation Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2004. The Act introduces new retirement provisions for new entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1 April 2004.