Communications Graduate

JOB DESCRIPTION Clare County Council is seeking a Communications Graduate on a temporary two-year contract for its Communications Unit. We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated and highly skilled person with a good knowledge of all aspects of communications to work with our award-winning team and gain valuable work experience. The Communications Graduate will be required to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the Council’s Corporate Services Department, under the supervision and direction of the Head of Communications or such person as may be assigned from time to time by Clare County Council. They will be required at times to work on their own initiative, as circumstances demand, on a broad range of projects. The Communications Unit is responsible for Corporate Communications and provides a full communications service to all departments across the Council. It also manages the content of the Council’s website, clarecoco.ie, and corporate social media accounts as well as producing newsletters, magazines, videos, podcasts, advertisements and other communications material. The work of the Communications Unit covers eight main areas which are: Media Relations Internal Communications External Communications Strategic Communications Crisis Communications Irish Language Communications Development Desirable Skills and Qualifications: Other requirements include: • Excellent written and verbal communications skills. • Ability to think creatively and deliver engaging content. • Ability to think strategically and identify opportunities to improve awareness of the Council. • Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines. • Ability to work outside of normal hours and at weekends as required. • Ability to work within a team. • Awareness of the importance of accuracy and attention to detail. • Knowledge of digital communications tools and platforms. • Knowledge of creating and publishing digital content and social media. • Knowledge of the Microsoft 365 package. • An interest in Local Government and the work of Local Authorities. • A clear understanding of the importance of confidentiality and discretion DUTIES The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require. The Communications Graduate will: • Be part of the Communications Unit team and provide support to all members of the team. • Assist in delivering Clare County Council’s Communications objectives. • Assist in the various functions of the Communications Unit. Specific responsibilities will include: • Preparing and delivering press releases and articles. • Answering media queries. • Organising press conferences, media briefings, photo opportunities, press launches and other events. • Providing content for the Council’s social media channels and digital media platforms. • Providing content for internal and external communications projects. • Carrying out communications administration tasks. • Developing and maintaining working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. • Updating the relevant sections of the website. These tasks, which are indicative rather than exhaustive, are carried out under general guidance. QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST ESSENTIAL CRITERIA 1. Character Each candidate must 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, Training, Experience, etc. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: • A Bachelor or master’s degree in public relations, Public Affairs, Communications, Marketing, or Journalism. • A full clean driving licence for Class B vehicles. Failure to input and upload proof of essential educational qualifications in your application form will deem you ineligible for this competition. *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. 4. Age Each candidate must be under 70 years of age on the latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms for the office if they are deemed not to be new entrants to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. However, the age restriction of 70 years does not apply to "new entrants" to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. 5. 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. PARTICULARS OF POST Salary: The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Starting pay for new entrants to the sector will be at the minimum of the scale. The current annual salary scale applicable to the post is €36,419 (March 2025) CLICK THE APPLY BUTTON TO GO TO THEIR CAREERS PAGE WHERE YOU CAN CHECK THIS JOB AND ALL OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.