Executive Librarian

The Position

Meath County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent & fixed-term contract vacancies for the position of Executive Librarian shall be drawn.

The position of Executive Librarian is a middle management role within the Council’s library service. An Executive Librarian is required to be an effective, participative member of a team with responsibility for managing and supervising staff. The person appointed will be under the direction and control of the County Librarian or a Senior Executive Librarian or other officer designated by the Chief Executive.

Purpose, Duties and Responsibilities

• Over-all responsibility for particular aspects of the service and maintaining the service at maximum efficiency in close liaison with the Senior Executive Librarian;

• Responsibility for the direction, control and welfare of the library staff under the post holder’s authority and developing the abilities of each individual;

• Submitting reports etc to the Senior Executive Librarian in order to keep them informed of the progress of the services;

• Identifying problems in specific areas and either recommending or carrying out suitable solutions;

• Taking part in formal staff and student training;

• Selecting and exploiting material in a subject area covered by a specialist collection;

• Developing and maintaining good relations with community leaders;

• Must be capable of working without supervision;

• Be a Team Leader/Line Manager;

• Have good management skills;

• Be capable of working on one’s own initiative;

• Possess energy, drive and enthusiasm;

• Be a motivator of staff.

The duties shall be such as may be assigned to the officer from time to time by the local authority and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be assigned to him/her in relation to the area of any other local authority.

Qualifications for the Post

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.

Education and Experience

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

• Hold a degree (level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in the area of Library and Information Studies,

• Have satisfactory experience of library work.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Salary

Salary scale: €57,322 - €70,030 per annum (EL 07/25). Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with the appropriate Department Circulars.

Hours of Work

The post entails a wide range of duties which require maximum flexibility and will be based on a 35-hour week, involving regular evening and weekend attendance where necessary. The Council reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time. All hours worked will be subject to the provision of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 as amended.

Start Date

Meath County Council shall require a person to whom an offer of employment is made to take up an appointment within a reasonable period of time, usually two months from date of offer, to meet the organisational requirements of the Council. Meath County Council reserves the right to withdraw its offer in the event that an appointment is not taken up within such a period.

Leave

30 days per annum.

Sick Leave

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

Probation

The following provisions will apply:

(a) there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation,

(b) such period shall be 9 months but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period,

(c) such persons shall cease to hold the position at end of the period of probation unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

Travel

It is desirable that holders of the post should hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall be required to 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. Travelling expenses 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 Local Authority Travel and Subsistence Policy. Meath County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy. 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.

Residence

The person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to performing the role/function as approved by the Chief Executive.

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 in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

Safety and Welfare

The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Meath County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. He/she shall familiarise him/herself with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety, clothing and equipment.

Training

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

Garda Vetting

Successful candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting in advance of appointment to the position.

Outside Employment

The officer may not engage in private practice, or be connected with any outside business, which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Superannuation Contribution

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

A person who becomes a pensionable officer 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 dependant or qualified children). A person paying Class A rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable officer 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 pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

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 the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme and if a member of either scheme will be required in respect of the to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

Officers are admitted to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act, 1998 and the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, with effect from date of appointment. This scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement and death gratuities.

In order for a new entrant to the scheme to qualify for a pension, he/she must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority.

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, effective from 1st January 2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on career-average pensionable remuneration; pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory.

Pension Arrangements and Retirement Age

Candidates will be informed of their superannuation position at time an offer of appointment is being made.

Communications

Meath County Council will contact you when necessary at each stage of the competition by email. It is strongly recommended that you only submit one email address for all correspondence in relation to this competition.

It is important to note that the email address you provide when applying must be one that you can access at all times. The onus is on the applicant to inform the Human Resources Department of any change in email address throughout the recruitment and selection campaign. This can be done by emailing recruit@meathcoco.ie

. The onus is also on each applicant to ensure that s/he is in receipt of all communication from Meath County Council. Meath County Council does not accept responsibility for communications not accessed or received by an applicant.

Employee Benefits

Examples of some of the current Employee Benefits include:

• Allocation of 30 Days Annual Leave per annum (pro-rata)

• A range of Family Friendly Policies

• Availability of an Optical Benefit Scheme

• A staff Health Screening Programme

• Availability of a Cycle to Work Scheme

• A range of Learning and Developmental Opportunities

• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave

• Option to become a member of Meath County Council’s Social Club

• Automatically entered into a pension scheme

• Access to the services provided under Meath County Council’s Employee Assistance Programme