Irish Language Innovation Officer

Applications Applications will only be accepted through SDCC’s e-Recruitment system before midnight on Thursday, 14th May 2026.

The Role SDCC is recruiting a Language Innovation Officer (Senior Staff Officer Grade) to lead the delivery of the Gaeilge365 programme within the council. This post is part of the Gaeilge365 initiative which is co-funded by the four Dublin local authorities and the Department of Community, Rural Affairs and the Gaeltacht. Gaeilge365 is a flagship initiative committed to mainstreaming the Irish language into public life in South Dublin, aligning the Programme for Government commitment to expanding Irish-language innovation across local authorities. This role will play a key part in ensuring SDCC’s Irish language ambitions are implemented effectively at a local level while contributing to national best practice.

The Language Innovation Officer will focus on embedding Irish within the day-to-day operations of SDCC, supporting staff development, and delivering strategic initiatives that enhance opportunities for South Dubliners to engage with the Irish language in their communities, workplaces, and cultural life. The Language Innovation Officer will work within SDCC’s Communications Unit.

The office is wholetime, permanent and pensionable. A panel will be formed to fill permanent and temporary vacancies. Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the South Dublin administrative area.

Salary €57,895 - €59,276 - €60,960 - €64,126 - €66,017 - €68,367 (1st LS1) - €70,730 (2nd LSI).

Hours of Work The successful candidates’ normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. SDCC reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time.

Due to the nature of the role, there will be a requirement to work outside of normal office hours from time to time.

Annual Leave Annual leave entitlement for this position is 30 days.

Qualifications

Character Candidates will 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.

Essential Education, Training and Experience Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(1) (a) have obtained at least Grade D (or a pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level in five subjects (or four subjects if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and / or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics, and have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in higher level (or Honours) papers in three subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and / or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics),

or

(b) have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination,

or

(c) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard

(2) will have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff

(3) be fluent in Irish with strong oral competency and strong written competency at a minimum level of B2 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

Desirable Education, Training and Experience

Key Competencies / Skills

• Management and change

• Delivering results

• Performance through People

• Personal effectiveness

• Local government knowledge and understanding

Candidates are requested to give an example of a situation which highlights the behaviour, skills and attitude that underpin effective performance in these areas and which demonstrates their suitability to meet the challenges of this role. Candidates should ensure the example used clearly demonstrates their ability in this area and that the scale and scope of the example given is appropriate to the post and level of the post.

Duties Duties will include but are not limited to:

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.