Tourism Officer

The Position:

Waterford City and County Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Tourism Officer (Specific Purpose Contract) with the expected initial duration of 12 months.

The main objective of the Tourism Officer will be to actively develop and promote Waterford as a high-quality tourist destination. The successful candidate, reporting to the Director of Services, Economic Development, will be expected to perform duties in relation to tourism activities undertaken by Waterford City & County Council and to work with other stakeholders in the promotion of tourism in the region.

The duties of the post of Tourism Officer include, but are not limited to:

·       Implementation of the Waterford Destination & Experience Development Plan and annual tourism marketing and product development plans

·       Coordination of the efforts of the tourism development sector to realise the City & County’s tourism potential

·       Coordination of tourism clusters and networks within the Council

·       Development of collective marketing initiatives on a cross City & County Council and regional basis

·       Promotion of Waterford City & County Council’s tourist attractions and facilities

·       Promotion of new technologies for tourism marketing and visitor servicing

·       Attendance at selected trade & consumer promotions as directed

·       Development and consolidation of branding for Waterford City & County Council and its constituent areas

·       Support towards the development of a calendar of festivals and events

·       Support the implementation of relevant objectives from the Local Economic and Community Plan for Waterford City & County Council

·       Provision of information to tour operators, travel agents, publishers, media and travel writers

·       Identification of potential opportunities for Waterford City & County Council Tourism that EU, National and local plans may present and of opportunities for additional funding from private and/or public sources

·       Liaison with local interests, including state agencies, local development bodies, the business sector and the community & voluntary sector regarding the identification of suitable projects which could be developed through various initiatives

·       Develop working links with Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland and other Local Authorities to advance tourism in Waterford City & County Council and surrounding counties

·       The management of tourism projects under the auspices of Waterford City & County Council

·       Provision of support, advice and assistance to locally based tourism initiatives

·       The administrative duties pertaining to the role

·       Preparation of proposals, submissions, and as necessary responding to national and regional policy documents

·       Prepare and present an annual report on the development of tourism in Waterford City & County Council

·       Management of the assigned tourism budget

·       To ensure that all the promotional and marketing materials are kept up to date and relevant

·       To ensure that the relevant websites and databases are maintained and kept up to date

·       To support the continued development of an events guide for Waterford City & County Council

·       To deal with queries from tourism suppliers and to assist in the development of bundled tourism products

·       To maintain records on visitor numbers, types of queries, purpose for visiting Waterford City & County, etc

·       To promote up-coming festivals through social media and other relevant forums

·       To work on specific tourism projects as required

·       To carry out any such other duties required by the Chief Executive of Waterford City & County Council.

The ideal candidate for the post of Tourism Officer should have the following key Competencies and Skills:

·       Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

·       Core marketing capabilities and a keen understanding of tourism marketing

·       The ability to use all opportunities afforded by ICT for tourism marketing and visitor servicing

·       The ability to maximise and source financial resources within a budgetary control framework

·       An understanding and experience of tourism and tourism related issues at local, regional and national level

·       Be able to demonstrate competence in influencing and negotiating, delivering quality outcomes, and networking

·       Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including report writing

·       Have the capacity to work on own initiative and also to contribute well in a team based environment

·       Have a good understanding and knowledge of Local Government and its role in promoting tourism

·       Have the capacity to interact effectively with local elected members and people from a broad range of sectors and groups, including local tourism interests, local development organisations, the local social partners and local funding organisations

·       Have experience of managing financial resources within a budgetary control framework.

1.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character

2.     Health

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

3.     Education, Experience, Etc.;

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

(a)      Hold a third level qualification (level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in tourism, marketing or other relevant discipline;

(b)     Have a minimum of 3 years relevant post graduate experience and a demonstrable track record in the tourism sector;

(c)      Possess knowledge and understanding of the tourism sector and tourism related issues at local, regional and national level.

Salary scale: €57,322 - €70,030 (LSI2) per annum (EL 08/25). Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. Remuneration is paid fortnightly directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g. P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

The normal working hours are 35 hours per week. Flexible working arrangements apply. 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. Waterford City & County Council requires employees to record their hours using the CORE/TDS Clocking system.

The annual leave entitlement for the grade is 30 days per annum. The Chief Executive of Waterford City & County Council retains autonomy with regard to office closures, (e.g. Christmas Office Closure); any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement. Proposed office closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year.

Waterford City & County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

The relevant Superannuation Scheme will apply. The provisions of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 may apply.

Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority, 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (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 dependent or qualified children).

Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. The provisions of the Spouses and Children’s/Widows and Orphans Contributory Pension Scheme will continue to apply.

New entrants will be admitted 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. To qualify for a pension the successful candidate must have served a minimum of two years employment in a Local Authority.

There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act2004.

Anyone who is not a new entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years or as determined in accordance with Department Circulars and in line with Government Policy.

The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

The Council may refer staff to a medical advisor at any time to determine fitness to carry out the duties to which they have been assigned.

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees, under that Scheme, are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

The successful candidate shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof.

The Tourism Officer employed by Waterford City & County Council will be required to use their car on official business. In such situations the employee must hold a current clean driver’s licence and have available adequate means of transport.

It is the responsibility of the employee to arrange the appropriate car insurance for business use and to indemnify Waterford City & County Council with the indemnity specified on the insurance certificate under the heading “Persons or classes of person who are covered”. Documentation to confirm the appropriate insurance cover will be required to be supplied to the Council on an annual basis.

Employees are to be required to adhere to all current and future Waterford City & County Council codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational policies including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Staff Mobility, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment. A full list of relevant policies is contained on the council Intranet.

Employees are required to attend and participate fully in training programmes as may be decided by the Council from time to time and to apply their learning in the course of their daily working activities.

Waterford City & County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month (subject to notice requirements) and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Waterford City & County Council shall not appoint them.

The Tourism Officer reports directly to their relevant supervisor or to any other employee of Waterford City & County Council as the Chief Executive, Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal (PMDS) will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Waterford City & County Council as an Employer is obliged to ensure, in so far as it is reasonably practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all of its employees. Under the Safety, Health and 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 and 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.