Senior Executive Librarian

QUALIFICATIONS – POST OF SENIOR EXECUTIVE LIBRARIAN Character Each candidate shall 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, Training, 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 including satisfactory experience at a management level

Candidates must also: • Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned; • Be suitable in all otherrelevant respectsfor appointment to the post concerned;

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

Driving Licence: The holder of the post MUST hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles free from endorsement/disqualification. When required to do so, holders of office 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. If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Carlow County Council as your employer must be indemnified on your insurance policy. Travelling expenses and subsistenceexpenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Carlow County Council’s Travel and Subsistence 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.

NOTE: A copy of relevant examination results should be included with your application in order to determine your eligibility for this post.

The Role of the Senior Executive Librarian The post of Senior Executive Librarian is a professional post requiring a degree and postgraduate qualification in librarianship or degree in librarianship. The Senior Executive Librarian is a senior management post within Carlow Library Service and the job profile is likely to evolve as the service changes and develops to meet the changing needs of the public. The Senior Executive Librarian works closely with staff at all grade levels and reports directly to the County Librarian. The post requires a high level of professional library and management skills, which include strategic and operational roles.

The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated person, with drive and commitment to delivering quality public services and continual professional development who can demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of: • Local authority services, its key stakeholders and relationships • Local government structures and its democratic role and mandate • National and international public library policy and strategy

The ideal candidate will also: • Have experience and skills in leadership and management ability • Have experience in change management and project management skills • Have knowledge of current issues and the future direction of libraries and Local • Government • Be committed to the public interest • Have excellent IT skills including knowledge and understanding of relevant technical ICT packages, Library Management System (LMS) and an awareness of AI and other emerging technologies • Have a commitment to modern and innovative library service delivery • Are able to work within, and where necessary lead multi-disciplined teams and have the ability to motivate, empower and encourage staff under his/her control to achieve maximum performance • Have excellent experience in community and stakeholder engagement and be capable of working in partnership with other Carlow County Council Sections and with outside agencies • Have relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level • Have a strong understanding of the professional role of the librarian and of 21st century library services • Have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation in Ireland • Understand the changing environment in which Carlow County Council operates and be capable of adapting to change in order to deliver quality services to our citizens • Have the experience of planning strategically to manage and implement initiatives to enhance library services, infrastructure and collections • Are motivated to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) • Have strong interpersonal, communications, networking and advocacy skills • Have the ability to manage financial resources within a budgetary control framework • Have an ability to lead in the provision of excellent customer service • Have a good understanding of the role of digital technologies in the delivery of public library services and have experience of engaging with and leveraging emerging technologies in library services and operations • Have good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace • Have the ability to deputise at a senior level. The Post The post is permanent wholetime and pensionable. 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/her duties as a local authority employee.

Health For the purposes of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.

Location of post Carlow County Council reserves the right to assign the post holder to any council premises, now or in the future subject to reasonable notice. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

Working Hours The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty-five hour working week. The post entails a wide range of duties which require maximum flexibility, involving regular evening and weekend attendance where necessary. The person appointed may be required to work outside of normal hours on occasion. All hours of work will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

Probation Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply: (a) there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which such persons shall hold such position on probation, (b) such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period, (c) such persons shall cease to hold such position at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory, (d) the period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one week’s notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, (e) there will be assessments during the probationary period.

Residence The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance, thereof.

Remuneration The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform. The salary scale for the post of Senior Executive Librarian (Circular Letter EL 03/2025) is: €59,417, €60,871, €62,568, €64,271, €65,974, €67,495, €69,054, €70,563, €72,069, €74,649 (LSI1) and €77,243 (LSI2) gross per annum. Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL.02/2020, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011 will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

References Applicants are required to advise the names of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related (at least one of the referees should be an existing or former employer). In advance of any offer of employment, Louth County Council reserves the right to seek both written and verbal references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.

Vetting Garda vetting is required for certain roles within Carlow County Council. Failure to complete a Garda vetting form on request may prevent your employment with Carlow County Council. In the event of an unsatisfactory Garda declaration being received Carlow County Council reserves the right not to commence employment. In the event of an existing employee changing role as a result of promotion or otherwise to a role that requires Garda Vetting and an unsatisfactory disclosure being returned, Carlow County Council reserves the right to withhold promotion, and also to investigate if further sanction/disciplinary action is warranted on foot of disclosure on a case by case basis.

Annual Leave: The current annual leave entitlement is 30 days. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (as amended).

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

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 and to attend all mandatory training.

Health & Safety: The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Carlow County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. It is a condition of employment that the successful candidate will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post. He/She shall familiarise him/herself with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety, clothing and equipment. Failure to comply with the terms of the Safety Statement may result in a disciplinary action.

Use of Modern Technology The successful candidate will be required to use all equipment provided, including computers, handheld terminals, mobile telephone, electronic equipment, video or other monitoring equipment and any other new technology which may be introduced in the future.

Travel When required to do so, holders of the post must 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. If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Carlow County Council as your employer must be indemnified on your insurance policy. 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 Carlow County Council’s Travel and Subsistence 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.

Superannuation & Retirement If you are pensionable under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 and are liable to pay Class A PRSI contributions, you would be required in respect of superannuation to make contributions at the rate of 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) plus 1.5% of full pensionable remuneration. You are required in respect of spouses’ and children’s pension benefit to contribute at the rate of 1.5% of full pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of schemes made under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998.

Maximum retirement age is 70. If the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 applies to your employment, 65 is the minimum age at which your pension may be paid. As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation you will not be required to retire on grounds of age. Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. You may also be required to pay Spouses and Children/ Widows and Orphans contributions at the rate of 1.5% of gross pay. Maximum retirement age is 70. Persons who become pensionable staff of a local authority for the first time on or after 01 January 2013 are assigned to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme with effect from the date of appointment. The scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement gratuity, death gratuity and survivors benefits. If you are pensionable under the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other provisions) Act 2012, you are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution. You are required to pay contributions as follows: 3% of gross remuneration and 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). The minimum age at which you may retire is allied with the State Contributory Pension age currently 66. The maximum retirement age is 70. To qualify for a pension the successful candidate must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority. You are reminded that under this agreement the Council may refer you to a medical advisor at any time to determine fitness for carrying out the duties to which you have been assigned. Further information is available from the Human Resources Department.