Museum Receptionist

The Museum Receptionist will work as part of a team in Galway City Museum. Galway City Museum comes under the remit of Galway City Council and is based in the Spanish Arch in Galway City.

Galway City Museum is one of the most popular museums outside Dublin and a key visitor attraction on the Wild Atlantic Way. The Museum is located over three floors with various exhibitions engaging visitors in the archaeology, history and sea science of Galway. The Museum is one of Galway’s most popular cultural venues and welcomes over 200,000 visitors each year. The Museum has recently been awarded Full Accreditation status from the Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland, meeting 34 out of 34 wide ranging museum good practice standards.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties pertaining to the role of Museum Receptionist are as follows:

• Greet and Welcome visitors at the front desk and direct or assist them with their enquiries.
• Carry out general administration work in relation to the Museum’s work programme.
• Participate in the Museum’s Planning Teams.
• Assist with planning/preparation and management of Museum events – including marketing, catering, public relations and hospitality.
• Supervise and organise Museum Front of House area and staff (Gateway Scheme participants, volunteers & temporary staff).
• Manage staff rostering for all Front Desk/Front of House staff and duties.
• Be responsible for the co-ordination and development of a Volunteer Programme for the Museum.
• Manage all incoming bookings for museum events and visits.
• Act as a guide to the exhibitions if required.
• Supervise and manage all (receive, check and sign for) deliveries to the Museum.
• Supervise and manage the signing in of all contractors coming to work on-site.
• Have a role in the management of an entrance fee into a section of the museum if it is developed.
• Open and close the Museum building as required.
• Carry out further duties as delegated by the Director of the Museum

The ideal candidates should:

·       have a good competency in the Irish language.

·       have good facilitation skills and confidence in dealing with the public.

·       demonstrate a welcoming disposition.

1.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2.     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.

3.     Citizenship:

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

                 i.          A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

               ii.          A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

             iii.          A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

             iv.          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

               v.          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

             vi.          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

4.     Education, Training, Experience, etc.

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

(i)

(a)  Have obtained at least a Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certification Vocational Programme. (At least a Grade B in Foundation Level Mathematics and Grade C in Foundation Level Irish may be considered as equivalent to Grade D (or a Pass) in Higher Level or Ordinary Level, from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certifications Vocational Programme);

Or

(b)  Have passed an examination of at least equivalent standard;

Or

(c)   Have had at least two year’s previous service in the office of Clerical Officer, Clerk/Typist (Clerical Duties), Clerk/Typist (Typing and Clerical Duties) or Clerk/Typist under a local authority, or health board in the State;

Or

(d)  Have satisfactory relevant experience which encompasses demonstrable equivalent skills.

And

(ii) Have a proficiency or aptitude with computers and Microsoft Office suite of programmes.

 

*Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Desirable

It is desirable that candidates should have the following:

·       An interest in subjects relevant to the collection: including Irish heritage & history/art history /archaeology etc.

·       Previous relevant experience/ training of working with people in a hospitality role.

·       Strong communication skills and an ability to lead and be part of a team.

·       Proficiency in Office Information Systems.

 

Each candidate must include on the application form details of all qualifications obtained by them. The invitation to attend for Interview is not to be regarded as an admission that you possess the prescribed qualifications and/or requirements for this post or are you qualified by law to hold the post. Documentary proof will be required before appointment where you claim credit for particular qualification, experience, etc.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Key Competencies for the post are given in the table below. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form and at interview of competence under each of these headings.

Information Management & Processing

·       Demonstrate Organisational Skills

·       Ability to understand and adhere to procedures and processes, including financial systems.

·       Demonstrate proficiency in the use of Information Technology

·       Collating Data and information processing

·       Analytical and reporting skills

Customer Service & Communication Skills

•       Communicate clearly

•       Demonstrates positive customer service attitude

•       Is respectful, courteous, and professional and remains composed even in challenging situations

•       Actively listens and tries to understand needs and perspectives of others

•       Effective written and verbal skills

•       Demonstrate positive customer service attitude

•       Represents the organisation positively and professionally when dealing with members of the public and other stakeholders

 

Team Working

·       Interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders

·       Develop and maintain good working relationships with teams

·       Demonstrate dignity and respect for colleagues

·       Understand own role and personal contribution within a team

Delivering Results

·        Take responsibility for delivering quality work in a timely manner

·        Assess and prioritise workloads

·        Ensure accuracy and high standards in work delivered

·        Flexibility in approach to work

·        Adapt quickly to change and new ways of doing things

·        Use initiative and self-motivate when required

 

Personal Effectiveness

·        Clear knowledge and understanding about the local authority, its services and role of the Councillors

·        Commitment to self-development and improving skills and knowledge base

·        Be open to taking on new challenges or responsibilities

·        Brings enthusiasm and commitment to their role

·        Be positively motivated to deliver a quality service

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Type of Post

Future relevant permanent and temporary posts will be filled from the panel(s) formed. The post(s) will be whole-time, permanent/temporary and pensionable.

Remuneration

The annual salary (Circular EL 04-2026, Revised Local Authority Scales Operative from 1 June 2026) is as follows:

Point

01/06/2026

1

€31,935

2

€33,702

3

€34,140

4

€35,021

5

€36,312

6

€37,603

7

€38,895

8

€39,833

9

€40,897

10

€42,128

11

€43,004

12

€44,227

13

€45,456

14

€47,770

LSI 1

€49,413

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates should note that the starting salary is not subject to negotiation. Entry into the pay scale above the minimum point will only apply to existing public servants in the context of the relevant Government Pay Circulars. Candidates who are not covered by such Circulars will enter the pay scale at the minimum point i.e. €31,935.

 

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

 

The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to and received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

 

Probation:

(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 12 months but, the Chief Executive may at their 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.

Hours of Duty

The person appointed will be required to work a 35-hour week, excluding lunch breaks. The normal working week will be Tuesday to Saturday.

Duties at weekends, at night and on public holidays, as required, will form an integral part of the role. Hours of attendance will, therefore, be variable.

The successful candidate will be required to log their hours of work in accordance with the requirements of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and will be required to co-operate with the use of technologies to record such hours.

Location of Work:

The Museum Receptionist will work in Galway City Museum, located in the Spanish Arch, Galway City.

 

Annual Leave:

The annual leave entitlement will be 27 days per annum, rising to 29 days per annum after 5 years’ service.

 

Residence:

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

 

Work Permit

All non-EU/EEA citizens must hold a valid work permit prior to and for the duration of their contract. The work permit must allow you to work full time for Galway City Council. It is the responsibility of individual employees to ensure that you have a valid work permit. If at any stage during your contract you cease to hold a valid work permit you must immediately advise Galway City Council, and your employment will cease with immediate effect.

 

Outside Employment:

The position is whole-time, and the employee may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.