Information Systems Technical Support Officer

1. The Position

The Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Information Systems Technical Support Officer.

It is proposed to form a panel of qualified candidates from which any vacancies, permanent or temporary, which arise will be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

The successful candidate shall report to an IS Project Leader or other appropriate person as determined by the Council’s Head of Information Systems from time to time.

2. Roles, Duties & Responsibilities

Donegal County Council’s Information Systems Division supports over 1,100 staff across more than 100 locations, managing one of the largest local authority ICT networks in Ireland. The Division delivers a wide range of services including infrastructure management, corporate systems support, cybersecurity, and digital development. It also plays a key role in enabling internal operations and public-facing services through technology.

The Division is engaged in implementing major upgrades to networking, telephony, and cloud infrastructure, while supporting national programmes such as the National Broadband Plan. It continues to collaborate with regional and European partners through ERNACT and Donegal Digital, contributing to innovation, funding, and capacity building. These efforts align with the Council’s Corporate Plan and the national Digital Local Government strategy.

As technology evolves, the Division is focused on maintaining service delivery while preparing for future challenges.

To successfully deliver and support these initiatives the Council is seeking to recruit suitably skilled and experienced ICT personnel at various levels. These roles are integral to delivering the Council’s Corporate Plan objectives and supporting the national Digital Local Government strategy. They require adaptability, innovation, and a commitment to governance and service excellence. These roles also require a user-centred approach to problem-solving, applying design thinking principles to deliver practical and innovative ICT solutions that meet organisational and user needs. Successful candidates will contribute to continuous improvement and the Council’s ambition to deliver high-quality digital services for staff, citizens, and communities.

The successful candidate shall report to the Head of Information Systems or an IS Project Leader, or other appropriate person as determined by the Council from time to time.

The duties undertaken by the IS Technical Support Officer will depend on assignment to one or more functional areas within the Information Systems Division. These may include infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, corporate systems, GIS, data analytics, and emerging technologies.

The IS Technical Support Officer plays a key role in supporting the Council’s ICT infrastructure and services across a wide range of technologies and systems. This includes providing technical assistance to staff and elected members, maintaining desktop and mobile hardware, and supporting corporate applications and communications tools. Officers work closely with IS Project Leaders, Server/Data Administrators, and Analyst/Developers to ensure the effective operation and continuous improvement of Council systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical support across assigned ICT domains

• Participate in infrastructure projects, cybersecurity initiatives, and digital service delivery

• Engage with emerging technologies and contribute to Innovation initiatives

• Support cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement aligned with strategic priorities

Duties

The following is a non-exhaustive list of duties that the successful candidate may be required to perform. Access to the Staff Education Scheme and ongoing training will enable upskilling on the job where required:

Core Technical Support

• Provide hardware and software support via phone, email, remote tools, and onsite visits

• Install and configure desktops, laptops, mobile devices, printers, scanners, and AV equipment

• Support and troubleshoot wired/wireless networks, WAN/LAN, routers, switches, and firewalls

• Manage user accounts, access rights, shared folders, and identity lifecycle (starters, leavers, movers)

• Provide first-line ICT support to staff, including blended working setups and remote access

• Support corporate systems (e.g., Agresso, PeopleXD, ePlanning, iHouse, Microsoft 365)

• Log and manage service desk cases, ensuring timely resolution and escalation where required

Infrastructure & Systems

• Assist with server and storage management, including Windows Server, SQL Server, and virtualisation (e.g., HP VME Essentials, VMware)

• Monitor and maintain communications infrastructure (leased lines, eGov connections, cabling)

• Support and maintain telephony systems and liaise with providers

• Implement network expansions, upgrades, and firmware updates

• Maintain the Council’s ICT asset registry, including hardware and software inventories

Security & Compliance

• Conduct vulnerability management, patching, antivirus deployment, and operational security checks

• Support disaster recovery testing and backup validation

• Ensure compliance with ICT security policies and participate in risk management planning

• Contribute to the maintenance and review of the departmental ICT risk register

Project, Development & Data Work

• Participate in ICT infrastructure and business systems projects

• Assist with requirements analysis, testing, deployment, and support of new systems

• Evaluate emerging technologies and contribute to innovation initiatives

• Provide specialist technical input to cross-departmental projects and strategic ICT initiatives

• Support technologies including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), such as ArcGIS

• Contribute to the development and support of solutions using the Microsoft Power Platform (PowerApps, Power Automate, Power BI)

• Assist with software development and scripting using technologies such as .NET, SQL, and related frameworks

• Support data analytics initiatives, including reporting, dashboards, and data-driven decision-making

• Support the adoption and integration of AI-enhanced productivity tools such as Microsoft Copilot

User Engagement & Events

• Provide IT support for Council meetings, hybrid events, training sessions, and conferences

• Support elected members and external stakeholders with ICT needs

• Maintain good supplier relationships and assist with procurement and licensing compliance

Strategic & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the ICT Strategy and annual operational plans

• Engage in performance management and professional development (PMDS)

• Stay current with ICT trends and proactively identify opportunities for improvement

• Deputise for IS Project Leaders or Analysts/Developers when required

Official Languages (Amendment) Acts, 2021

So that the Local Authority may meet its statutory obligations, a satisfactory competence in the Irish language is deemed essential for appointment/assignment/re-assignment to Gaeltacht-based offices and offices serving Gaeltacht areas. Competence to be of a level where one can operate through the medium of Irish and provide services to the public in Irish, as per the provisions of the Official Languages (Amendment) Acts, 2021.

An assessment of this competence may form an integral part of the recruitment and selection process.

3. Qualifications & Requirement of the Post

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for IS Technical Support Officer will be as set out below:

(a) Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

(b) Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Council’s Occupational Medical advisor prior to appointment.

(c) Education, Training, Experience etc.

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

i. 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 plus 2 year’s directly relevant, recent ICT experience from your employment to date*

OR

ii. 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 3 years directly relevant, recent ICT hands-on experience from your employment to date*

OR

iii. A qualification at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualification (NFQ) major award (i.e. ordinary degree) in a relevant computing discipline plus 3 years’ directly relevant, recent ICT experience from your employment to date*

OR

iv. A qualification at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major award in a relevant computing discipline and at least 4 years directly relevant, recent ICT experience from your employment to date

AND

v. Have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation or the ability to acquire such knowledge.

*Relevant ICT hands-on experience should include, but is not limited to: areas such as managing delivery of digital solutions, enterprise architecture, software and applications development projects involving a range of technologies and platforms covering web development, data management, database administration, business analysis/discovery, business intelligence and data analytics, DevOps, enterprise architecture, technical infrastructure service design and delivery, server and client operating systems and architecture stacks, telecommunications and networking infrastructure delivery support, technical support, ICT service management, operations and server support, ICT/cyber security, mobile device management, virtualisation delivery support, database and application support, cloud computing, etc.

4. Particulars of the Post

(a) General

Donegal County Council proposes to create a panel of qualified candidates for the position of IS Technical Support Officer from which it will fill any vacancy that may arise.

(b) Probation

The successful candidate shall be required to be on probation for an initial period, as determined by the Council. This period may be extended at the discretion of the Council.

(c) Remuneration

The current annual pay-scale is €51,722 minimum to max LSI2 €61,865 (as per circular EL 07/2025).

Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular.

New entrants will commence on the minimum point of the scale.

(d) Base

The base for the post of IS Technical Support Officer shall be the County House, Lifford.

The role of IS Technical Support Officer may involve some travel, with some trips involving overnight stays and associated costs covered by the appropriate allowances.

(e) Residence

Holders of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

(f) Working Hours / Annual Leave

The normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

The IS Technical Support Officer will be required to work the hours directed by the Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, which may include hours outside of the normal working day associated with the responsibilities and requirements of the post.

Annual leave allowance will be a maximum 30 days for all applicants.

(g) Requirement to Drive

Candidates shall be required:

(a) to possess a full current category B Driving Licence

(b) to have their own vehicle available for use while performing their duties and the associated costs will be covered by the appropriate allowances

(h) 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 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.

(i) Conflicts of Interest

The post holder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of his duties as a local authority employee.

(j) Garda Vetting

Candidates for the post may be subject to Garda Vetting. Please note all candidates must attain a satisfactory Garda Vetting Disclosure prior to appointment, otherwise the offer of employment will be withdrawn.

In the event where a Garda Vetting Disclosure indicates that there is a case pending, then the appointment cannot proceed at that time and the offer of employment will be withdrawn. The candidate will however retain their position on the panel and will be considered for the next vacancy should same arise within the lifetime of the panel.