Web Digital Officer

SECTION 1: THE ROLE

The Web Digital Officer is responsible for the strategic and operational management of Cork County Council’s corporate website, ensuring it delivers high-quality, accessible, and user-focused digital services to the public. The role combines technical expertise in Drupal CMS with content creation, governance, performance management, and digital strategy.

Key Functional Areas

A. Website Governance & Content Management

• Implement and maintain the Council’s web governance framework, ensuring all published content complies with approved standards and guidelines.

• Establish content workflows and approval processes across directorates.

• Monitor and enforce content quality, accessibility, and plain English standards.

B. Drupal Platform Management

• Manage and maintain the Drupal CMS platform, including configuration, module updates, and site structure.

• Coordinate upgrades (e.g. migration to newer Drupal versions) and ensure system stability.

• Manage integrations with third-party systems and APIs where required.

C. Performance, Analytics & Optimisation

• Monitor site performance, uptime, and responsiveness.

• Analyse user behaviour and engagement data to identify improvements.

• Lead ongoing optimisation of content, navigation, and user journeys.

D. Security & Compliance

• Ensure implementation of security updates, backups, and disaster recovery procedures.

• Ensure compliance with GDPR, accessibility legislation, and public sector digital standards.

E. Stakeholder Engagement

• Function as primary point of contact for main corporate website-related queries across the organisation.

• Provide digital advice and support to departments on content and website service delivery.

• Collaborate with ICT, Communications and Promotions Office, and external partners.

F. Project & Service Delivery

• Lead the delivery of website-related projects, including new features, services, and improvements.

• Support digital transformation initiatives and online service delivery improvements.

G. Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Develop regular performance reports and dashboards for SMT.

• Identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement in digital services.

• Stay informed of national and international best practice in public sector web management.

SECTION 2: DUTIES

The duties may include but are not limited to the following and the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

A. Responsibilities / Duties

• Lead the management, development, and continuous improvement of Cork County Council’s main corporate website (www.corkcoco.ie) built on the Drupal CMS platform.

• Oversee all website content lifecycle processes including creation, editing, publishing, review, and archiving, ensuring consistency with Council standards and policies.

• Ensure compliance with statutory obligations including accessibility (European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020) (WCAG), data protection, and public sector digital standards.

• Manage website performance, availability, and security, ensuring regular updates, backups, and patching of the Drupal platform.

• Develop and implement a structured content governance model, including workflows, approvals, and quality assurance processes.

• Monitor and analyse website traffic, user behaviour, and engagement metrics to inform continuous improvement initiatives.

• Manage and maintain website information architecture, navigation, and user journeys to support ease of use and service delivery.

• Function as liaison with Cork County Council Digital and ICT, external vendors (e.g. developers, hosting providers), and internal departments to coordinate development and support activities.

• Ensure SEO best practices are implemented to optimise discoverability of Council services online.

• Lead website development projects, including upgrades (e.g. Drupal core and module updates), new features, and integrations.

• Manage user roles, permissions, and access within Drupal, ensuring appropriate governance and security controls.

• Support digital communications campaigns through effective use of the corporate website.

• Provide strategic advice to senior management and stakeholders on digital and web developments.

B. General Duties

• Ensure all activities are delivered in line with Cork County Council policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.

• Work collaboratively across directorates to support online service delivery and communication objectives.

• Prepare reports, dashboards, and briefings for Senior Management Team (SMT) on website performance and initiatives.

• Participate in cross-functional digital, communications, and ICT projects as required.

• Maintain high standards of customer service in the delivery of digital services to the public.

• Keep up to date with emerging technologies, web standards, and digital best practices.

• Provide training, guidance, and support to staff contributing content to the website.

• Contribute to procurement processes for web-related services, systems, and tools where required.

• Support the Council with respect to the communications elements of the Council’s major emergency and crisis management plans.

• Provide general administrative support to the Communications and Promotions Team.

• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade as assigned.

SECTION 3: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA / QUALIFICATIONS

Character

Each candidate must 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 etc.

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

• A third-level qualification (Level 7/8 or higher) in Web Development, Information Systems, Digital Communications, Computer Science, or a related discipline.

• Minimum 3–5 years’ relevant experience managing or administering large-scale websites, preferably within a public sector or organisational environment.

• Demonstrable experience working with Drupal CMS (preferably Drupal 9/10/11), including configuration and content management.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of Drupal CMS architecture, modules, theming, and content workflows.

• Proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and understanding of PHP-based systems.

• Experience with website analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics) and reporting.

• Understanding of SEO principles, accessibility standards (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020) (WCAG), and usability principles.

• Familiarity with hosting environments, security practices, and performance optimisation.

Age

Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant within the meaning of the Public Services Superannuation Act, 2004. A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 70 years of age.

Transport

Holders of the post should hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall be required to 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.

SECTION 4: COMPETENCIES

A Competency Based Application form requires you to describe some of your personal achievements to date that demonstrate certain competencies (necessary skills and qualities) required for the position for which you are applying. For each competency, you are given a description of a skill or quality. You are then asked to describe a situation, from your own experience, which you think is the best example of what YOU have done which demonstrates this skill or quality.

It is essential that you describe how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question. Therefore, compose your replies carefully in this section and try to structure what you write so that you give specific information about what you have done - for example, do not simply say that “X was successful”, describe exactly what you did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question.

For each example, please include the following:

a) the nature of the task, problem or objective;

b) what you actually did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality (and, where appropriate, the date you demonstrated it);

c) the outcome or result of the situation and your estimate of the proportion of credit you can claim for the outcome.

The information you present in your application may form part of a shortlisting process and may also be used to help structure your interview, should you be invited to one. A shortlisting process may be applied based on TWO or more of the competencies and on other information you provide in your application form.

Please note that, should you be called to interview, the board may look for additional examples of where you demonstrated the Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Competencies required for this post, so you should think of a number of examples of where you demonstrated each of the skills.

SECTION 5: TENURE

The position is permanent and full-time. The post is pensionable. A panel may be formed to fill any vacancies for Web Digital Officer (Grade V) which may arise during the lifetime of the panel.

SECTION 6: SALARY

The Salary scale for the post is: €52,761 - €63,109 per annum

€52,761 - €54,337 - €55,946 - €57,589 - €59,244 (Maximum), €61,173 (1st LSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the Maximum), €63,109 (2nd LSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the 1st LSI).

Applicants should note that entry point to the salary scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government, & Heritage. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The awarding of increments is subject to satisfactory service. Holders of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

In accordance with EL02/2011, persons who are not serving Local Authority employees must be placed on the minimum of the scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy.

SECTION 7: ASSIGNMENT / LOCATION OF POST

Cork County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises or district in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or compensation.