Student Summer Employment Scheme

The Position

Westmeath County Council is currently accepting applications from third-level students for our 2026 Student Summer Employment Scheme.

The Student Summer Employment Scheme is open to third-level students and will provide not only an opportunity to gain valuable work experience in the Local Authority but also a chance to see the wide range of services and future career opportunities offered by Westmeath County Council.

The Student Summer Employment Scheme will offer successful applicants a ten-week placement from 8th June to 14th August 2026.

The closing date and time for receipt of completed applications is 4:00pm, Monday, 30th March 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their application is submitted on time.

Applications for 2026 Summer Student Employment Scheme will be accepted via online forms.

Essential Criteria

Applicants for the Summer Student Employment Scheme must:

➢ Be a third level student.

➢ Minimum age 18.

➢ Have good IT skills and experience of working with MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.

➢ Have a structured approach to work with good administrative and organisational capability.

➢ Communicate clearly and have effective written and verbal skills.

➢ Have a positive customer service attitude.

➢ Work as part of a team to ensure delivery of plans and schedules.

➢ Demonstrate dignity and respect to customers and colleagues.

Applications for the Post

Applications are sought from 3rd level students in the following areas: Business/Administration, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Horticulture and Tourism/Marketing.

Particulars of Summer Student Employment Scheme

Successful applicants of the Summer Student Employment Scheme will be offered a ten week temporary appointment to a whole time post (that is 35 hours per week) and will be required to start employment on 8th June 2026 for a period of ten weeks. If they fail to take up the appointment on this date, or on another date as determined by the Council in its absolute discretion, they will be deemed to have withdrawn their interest in the Summer Employment Scheme, and the Council will not proceed with their appointment.

Working Hours

The current working hours are 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Westmeath County Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time in line with Government Circulars.

All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Westmeath County Council requires employees to record their hours using a clocking system.

Reporting

Students employed on the Summer Student Employment Scheme will be assigned to a section appropriate to their area of study and will report directly to their designated line manager, or to any other employee of Westmeath County Council as the Director of Services or the Chief Executive may designate for this purpose.

Probation

A system of regular appraisal will be in place for the duration of the temporary employment, which will include discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Tenure of employment for the duration of this temporary appointment is subject to satisfactory performance, attendance, and conduct. Employment may be terminated at any point during this temporary appointment if performance, attendance and/or conduct is deemed to be unsatisfactory by the Chief Executive.

Remuneration

On appointment, successful candidates will be paid at the hourly rate of €14.15 via PayPath directly to the nominated bank account.

Payment will be made fortnightly.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, for example PAYE and PRSI & pension.

Annual Leave

The temporary contract to be offered will provide for five days paid annual leave over the 10-week period of employment. This is in addition to the paid Public Holiday on 3 August 2025.

Employees should not avail of annual leave without the prior consent and approval of their Line Manager. Annual leave requires prior approval of the line manager and employees must consult and secure approval with their Line Manager before taking time off.

Approvals in respect of annual leave applications will have regard to work demands and operating requirements of the section. Annual leave may be suspended during periods of exceptional work demands.

Code of Conduct / Organisation Policies

All employees will be required to adhere to all Westmeath County Council codes of practice (including the Code of Conduct of Employees and the Confidentiality Clause) and all other organisational policies (including Health & Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment, etc.).

Training

Employees are required to attend and participate fully in training programmes as may be decided by the Council for the duration of the appointment and to apply their learning throughout their daily working activities.

Safety, Health & Welfare of Employees

Westmeath County Council, as an employer, is obliged to ensure, as far as it is reasonably practicable, the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work of all its employees. Under the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect the Safety, Health & Welfare of its employees.

All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to co-operate with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do anything which would place themselves or others at risk. Employees must not be under the influence of an intoxicant at the place of work.

Employees must comply with all Safety and Health rules and regulations and attend all required Safety and Health training.

Data Protection

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on 25th May 2018, replacing the existing data protection framework under the EU Data Protection Directive. The personal information (data) collected on the application form, including any attachments (which may include the collection of sensitive personal data), is collected for the purpose of processing this application, and any data collected is subject to Westmeath County Council’s privacy statement which can be found at:

https://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/yourcouncil/privacyanddata/

Important Notice

The above represents the principal conditions of service and are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all terms and conditions of employment.

Selection Process

Third level students who wish to be considered for the Student Summer Employment Scheme are asked to submit an online application briefly outlining your area of study (evidence required), achievements, competencies, hobbies and work experience to date, if any, for the consideration of the Council.

The closing date and time for receipt of completed applications is 4:00pm, Monday, 30th March 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure:

• they establish their eligibility for the Summer Employment Scheme by providing evidence of college course.

• they submit their application to Westmeath County Council on time.

Applications for 2026 Summer Employment Scheme will only be via online application.

Applicants will be assessed for appointment based on the information provided in their application, so it is important that each applicant provides sufficient and relevant information to promote and support their application.

Successful applicants will receive an offer of temporary employment by 30th April 2026 and will be required to confirm their acceptance of the offer made by return.

Should an applicant not reply within one week or decline an offer of employment made, they will be deemed to have withdrawn their interest in the temporary appointment, and we will move to offer employment to the next available applicant.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide accurate contact details on their application. Correspondence from the Council will be issued to the email address provided.