I.S. Project Leader (GIS & Innovation) Grade VII

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post of I.S. Project Leader (GIS & Innovation) Grade 7 from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. This panel will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 6-12 months at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role within the Council’s ICT Team, driving Innovation across Clare County Council with emphasis on maximising the investment in GIS technologies. The persons leadership will extend beyond the advancement and upkeep of the Council’s GIS Platform and spatial data infrastructure, to actively develop a culture of innovation at every level. By championing the adoption of emerging technologies, best practices, and creative problem-solving approaches, the candidate will help embed innovation within daily operations and strategic planning. This proactive stance will empower both internal users and external stakeholders to benefit from more efficient, data-driven decision-making and streamlined service delivery. Furthermore, the candidate will be expected to identify and develop opportunities for organisational improvement, optimising existing processes and introducing transformative solutions that enhance the impact of ICT and GIS throughout the Council and the wider community.

In addition to managing and supporting the underlying technical and data infrastructures alongside the Council’s existing application footprint, the project leader provides services including project definition and management; solution design and development; data management; spatial and data analytics; user support; and R&D. This is an excellent opportunity to apply and build on existing knowledge and skills and to be part of an ambitious and dynamic team.

Essential Skills and Experience for the role:

Minimum four years Relevant GIS technology Knowledge with a proven track records of delivering GIS innovative solutions

Duties:

The principal duties and responsibilities will be to perform such duties appropriate to the post of I.S. Project Leader (GIS & Innovation) that may be assigned by the Head of Information Systems this list is not exhaustive and working in a dynamic and agile ICT environment, shaped by emerging business demands and evolving technology, responsibilities will adapt to maximise the benefits available from existing and new technologies and shall include but not limited to the following duties:

Innovation Duties

Lead the Council’s ICT innovation agenda, fostering a culture of creativity and continuous improvement across all ICT functions, with a particular focus on digital transformation.

Drive the adoption and integration of advanced technology solutions—including cloud platforms and data management tools—to streamline Council operations and enhance service delivery.

Champion the use of business process improvement methodologies to identify and implement efficiencies within ICT services.

Lead project planning and objective setting for innovation initiatives, ensuring successful delivery aligned with organisational goals.

Engage proactively with national and external bodies on innovation matters, representing the Council and sharing insights on technological advancements.

Provide training, mentorship, and support in new technology adoption to Council staff, empowering professional development and the uptake of innovative tools.

Implement and uphold information security controls across related ICT applications to safeguard Council data and systems.

Lead the rollout, implementation, and upgrade of software and hardware systems related to innovation, ensuring seamless integration and operation across the organisation.

Deliver effective and timely technical support to staff and Elected Members, resolving issues and enhancing user experience in the context of innovation projects.

Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability, recognising that driving innovation and delivering ICT projects may require working outside standard hours to support Council initiatives.

GIS Duties

Provide strategic leadership in the implementation and advancement of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and the management of spatial data, supporting decision-making and quality information provision for staff and the public.

Oversee the management, maintenance, and development of the Council’s suite of GIS software (e.g. ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Portal, ArcGIS Online, ArcPro, FME, mapping viewers, and data capture applications).

Champion the use of business process improvement methodologies to identify and implement efficiencies within GIS services.

Assess and evaluate both current and future GIS needs, keeping abreast of technological trends and best practices to ensure the Council’s GIS infrastructure remains cutting-edge.

Lead project planning and objective setting for GIS initiatives, ensuring successful delivery aligned with organisational goals.

Manage the IT hardware and software underpinning GIS operations, ensuring robust, secure, and efficient infrastructure.

Engage proactively with national and external bodies on GIS matters, representing the Council and sharing insights on GIS advancements.

Provide training, mentorship, and support in GIS-related software and systems to Council staff, empowering professional development and adoption of new GIS tools.

Implement and uphold information security controls across GIS applications to safeguard Council spatial data and systems.

Lead the rollout, implementation, and upgrade of GIS software and hardware systems, ensuring seamless integration and operation across the organisation.

Deliver effective and timely technical support to staff and Elected Members, resolving GIS-related issues and enhancing user experience.

Continuously review and improve GIS network and technical support services, responding to incidents rapidly and suggesting enhancements specific to GIS operations.

Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability, recognising that delivering GIS projects may require working outside standard hours to support Council initiatives.

In a dynamic and agile ICT environment, shaped by emerging business demands and evolving technology, responsibilities will adapt to address ongoing change and innovation. This may encompass leading digital transformation projects, integrating advanced ICT solutions, identifying and implementing business process improvements, and responding proactively to new organisational priorities. Flexibility, foresight, and a willingness to embrace innovation will be essential as the role continues to develop in line with both Council objectives and the wider technological landscape.

The postholder will report to, collaborate with, and receive support from the Head of Information and Digital Services, or their designated representative. The individual will also work in close partnership with members of the ICT Team and other Council employees, ensuring effective communication and integration across departments.

Travel: When required to do so, holders of the office shall hold a full driving licence for Class B Vehicles 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. 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 Clare 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.

Qualifications for post:

(A) A qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major award (i.e. honours degree), or higher, in a relevant computing discipline and at least 3 year’s directly relevant, recent ICT hands-on experience from your employment date*

OR

(B) A qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major award (i.e. honours degree), or higher, with computing taken in the final year and at least 4 years directly relevant, recent ICT hands-on experience from your employment to date*

OR

(C) A qualification at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualification (NFQ) major award (i.e. ordinary degree) in a relevant computing discipline and at least 4 years’ directly relevant, recent ICT experience from your employment to date*

OR

(D) A qualification at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major award in a relevant computing discipline and at least 5 years directly relevant, recent ICT experience from your employment to date*

AND

(E) have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation or the ability to acquire such knowledge(F) Hold a full driving licence for Class B Vehicles

The Candidate must have and be able to demonstrate a proven track record in

• Innovation Delivery and GIS Technology Integration: Demonstrated ability to identify, evaluate, and implement innovative GIS solutions that drive organisational improvements. This includes leading proof-of-concept initiatives, piloting new technologies, and integrating advanced GIS applications with existing Council systems.
• Geospatial Data Management and Analysis: Proficiency in managing large-scale spatial datasets, performing advanced geospatial analysis, and leveraging GIS tools to support evidence-based decision-making across departments. Experience with spatial databases, data transformation, and geoprocessing workflows is essential.
• Systems Integration and Automation: Practical experience in seamlessly integrating GIS platforms with other ICT systems (e.g., asset management, CRM, or document management systems) to streamline business processes and enhance data accessibility. Familiarity with automation tools and scripting languages for process optimisation is highly valuable.
• Cloud-Based GIS Solutions: Experience deploying, managing, and securing cloud-based GIS environments. This involves configuring access controls, managing cloud resources, and ensuring high availability of spatial data services.
• User-Centric Application Development: Skilled in designing and delivering intuitive GIS applications and dashboards tailored to user needs, including custom web mapping solutions and mobile GIS apps. Knowledge of user experience (UX) principles and agile development methodologies is highly desirable.
• Change Management and Digital Transformation: Demonstrated capability in managing organisational change linked to GIS and digital technology adoption. This includes delivering training, supporting user adoption, and communicating benefits to stakeholders to ensure successful transformation outcomes.
• Data Governance and Compliance: Understanding of data governance and regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR). Ability to implement robust data quality standards, maintain metadata, and ensure compliance with Council and statutory obligations.
• Emerging Technologies: Awareness of and practical engagement with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and remote sensing within the ICT domain. Ability to assess their potential for enhancing Council services and driving innovation.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven track record of collaborating with internal teams, external partners, and the wider community to deliver impactful GIS projects. Experience in requirements gathering, project management, and delivering value through geospatial innovation.
• Continuous Professional Development: Commitment to keeping skills and knowledge current in the rapidly evolving GIS and technology landscape, including active participation in professional networks, training, and industry events.

Strategic Planning: Develop and implement clear plans that align with organisational goals and adapt to evolving business needs.

Competency 3 Performance Through People 

• Explain how you adjust your approach based on individual needs, team dynamics, and changing circumstances.
• Share examples of flexibility in leadership that led to positive outcomes.
• Set Clear Expectations and Goals: Establish clear, measurable objectives for the team and ensure all members understand how their work aligns with organisational goals.
• Communicate Effectively: Clearly communicate expectations, responsibilities, and desired outcomes to all team members.
• Motivate and Engage Team Members: Implement strategies such as recognition, empowerment, and fostering a positive work culture to inspire and engage the team.
• Enhance Team Capability: Identify development needs and support professional growth through training, mentoring, and coaching.
• Delegate Effectively: Assign tasks based on individual strengths and development areas to maximise team performance and growth.
• Provide Feedback and Manage Performance: Deliver constructive feedback, recognise achievements, and address underperformance promptly and supportively.
• Foster Collaboration and Teamwork: Promote open communication, resolve conflicts, and build trust to encourage effective teamwork.
• Achieve Results Through Others: Guide, support, and enable the team to deliver results that contribute directly to organisational objectives.
• Adapt Leadership Style: Adjust leadership approach based on individual needs, team dynamics, and changing circumstances to achieve the best outcomes.

Competency 4 Delivering Results 

• Set clear, measurable goals and prioritise tasks based on urgency and impact.
• Organise workload to maintain focus on high-impact activities.
• Plan projects and allocate resources efficiently.
• Anticipate challenges and prepare contingency plans.
• Proactively identify opportunities or issues and take action independently.
• Take ownership and responsibility for outcomes, both positive and negative.
• Analyse problems, gather relevant information, and make informed decisions.
• Implement creative solutions to overcome obstacles or setbacks.
• Monitor progress against targets and take corrective action when necessary.
• Achieve or exceed goals through persistence and focus.
• Coordinate with stakeholders, manage expectations, and leverage available resources.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, customers, or partners to deliver results.
• Measure results and communicate achievements to relevant stakeholders.
• Use feedback and lessons learned to enhance future performance.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Starting pay for new entrants to the sector will be at the minimum of the scale.

The current salary scale applicable to the post (August 2025): €60,011, €61,480, €63,194, €64,914, €66,634, €68,170, €69,745, €71,269, €72,790, €75,395, €78,015