Assistant Arts Officer- Children and Young People's Arts
South Dublin County Council
Dublin,
Ireland
Design and Arts
Critical Skills
Job posted on December 9, 2025
APPLY NOW
Job Description:
Assistant Arts Officer- Children and Young People's Arts (Two Year Fixed Term Contract)
SDCC is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will automatically disqualify.
About Sdcc
Opportunity starts here. Come to SDCC to do your greatest work. We're forward-thinking and focused on diversity, inclusion and community. As an equal opportunities employer, we're opening the doors to new careers, creating flexible ways of working and putting people at the heart of everything we do.
We're the people responsible for local government in South Dublin County. Aside from the exciting range of opportunities to make a real difference in your community, SDCC is a great place to work. Working with us will give you the opportunity to gain experience at the heart of local government and to develop your career in a diverse work environment.
At SDCC we provide plenty of opportunity for career progression with structured training, personal development, coaching and mentoring. We offer flexible working including blended working arrangements and a positive work environment.
Welcome to a team that's making a difference powered by people like you.
THE ROLE
The position is a fixed term contract to support the Arts Officer to deliver:
Shared Strategic Action 3: Children and Young People of the Framework Agreement between SDCC and the Arts Council
SDCC's Arts Development Strategy where the actions relate to arts engagement of children and young people
Initiatives which have emerged from SDCC's Early Years, Children and Youth Arts Strategies
The role will respond to the many potential opportunities for arts engagement with children and young people in the county and to maximise the impact on the ground. The Assistant Arts Officer will have a key role in carrying out administrative and operational responsibilities in the Arts Office that relate to these areas of the Arts Office programme.
The role will support the strategic planning for the development and delivery of early years, children's and youth focused arts services and progress our ambition for greater arts engagement. We also try to ensure cultural diversity in our programmes and activities which reflects the diversity of the people of South Dublin.
Learning and innovation is a significant aspect of the role, as is embedding knowledge in the local authority Arts service that improves aspects of the service. A key challenge of the role will be to find ways of working with a range of partners to increase participation in a sustainable way, in line with the Framework Agreement and the SDCC's Arts Development Strategy.
Desired Outcomes
Strengthened resources needed to co-ordinate, monitor and evaluate education and participation programmes for early years, children's and youth arts
Increased opportunities for children from 0 6 years and from 7 - 12 years to participate in the arts
Engaged a greater number of young people in the arts across all age groups and all artforms on a regular basis and that more young people will have pathways to progress towards and engage in professional practice
The post is wholetime, temporary and pensionable. The contract is for a fixed term of two years for the purpose of delivering Shared Strategic Action 3: Children and Young People of the Framework Agreement between South Dublin County Council and the Arts Council, and SDCC's Arts Development Strategy.
SALARY
€51,722 - €53,266 - €54,844 - €56,454 - €58,076 - €59,967 (1st LS1) - €61,865 (2nd LSI)
HOURS OF WORK
35 hours per week. SDCC reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time.
ANNUAL LEAVE
30 days per year
Essential Requirements
Candidates must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
Desirable Requirements
Delivering Results
KEY COMPETENCIES / SKILLS
Demonstrates the ability to translate the business/team plan objectives into clear priorities and actions for their area of operation
Demonstrates the ability to help establish high quality service and customer care standards
Demonstrates the ability to convert operational objectives into specific work plans, program activities and schedules
Managing Resources
Demonstrates the ability to allocate resources across jobs to ensure that priorities are met and that work is executed in the most efficient manner possible to deliver quality work and services
Performance Through People
Demonstrates the ability to show visible commitment to the purpose, mission and vision of the organisation
Demonstrates the ability to provide a positive sense of purpose for the team in terms of its contribution to council objectives
Demonstrates the ability to lead the team/service area in a manner that provides clarity of purpose and a focus on delivery
Demonstrates the ability to lead and develop the team and its members to achieve corporate objectives through the effective management of performance
Personal Effectiveness
Demonstrates the ability to recognise the value of and requirement to communicate effectively
Demonstrates good written and verbal skills
Demonstrates good interpersonal skills
Local Government Knowledge
Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government
Demonstrates knowledge of current local government issues and future trends
Demonstrates understanding of the role of Assistant Arts Officer in this context
DUTIES
Duties
Reporting to the County Arts Officer, under the Director of Community, the key duties of the Assistant Arts Officer Children and Young People will include:
These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Applications will only be accepted through SDCC's e-Recruitment system before midnight on Monday, 22nd December 2025.
SELECTION PROCESS
Selection will be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of SDCC. Interviews may be conducted face to face or online through Microsoft Teams. SDCC will not be responsible for any expenses a candidate may incur in attending for interview.
SDCC reserves its right to shortlist applications. Shortlisting may include desktop shortlisting and/or preliminary interviews.
A panel may be formed on the basis of such interviews. The life of the panel will be for a period of one year from the date of its formation.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS
Medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by SDCC Two satisfactory references from responsible persons (at least one from current employer) Garda Vetting in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau Act 2012-2016
Citizenship Requirements
Candidates must, by the date of submission of application form, be:
For Critical Skills Occupations: Candidates must have a Critical Skills Employment Permit (stamp 1G) and ensure that the post is included in the Critical Skills Occupations List.
BLENDED WORKING
SDCC operates a Blended Working Policy in accordance with the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Successful candidates may apply to work remotely up to two days per week, provided that the role is deemed suitable for blended working. Blended working arrangements cannot commence until six months of continuous employment have been completed.
PROBATION
New appointees will serve a probationary period of one year (which may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive). Officers who have already completed a probationary period with another Local Authority will not be obliged to serve probation with SDCC.
SUPERANNUATION
New entrants will be admitted to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. 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.
2025 Contribution Rates
Single Public Sector Pension Scheme members: €0.00 to €34,500: 0% €34,500 to €60,000: 3.33% Over €60,000: 3.5%
RETIREMENT AGE
There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service. The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.
Additional Information
Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the South Dublin administrative area
Holders of the office will reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof
Employees may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties
It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) that retirees under that Scheme are debarred from applying for this position
SDCC is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will automatically disqualify. Show more Show less
APPLY NOW
SDCC is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will automatically disqualify.
About Sdcc
Opportunity starts here. Come to SDCC to do your greatest work. We're forward-thinking and focused on diversity, inclusion and community. As an equal opportunities employer, we're opening the doors to new careers, creating flexible ways of working and putting people at the heart of everything we do.
We're the people responsible for local government in South Dublin County. Aside from the exciting range of opportunities to make a real difference in your community, SDCC is a great place to work. Working with us will give you the opportunity to gain experience at the heart of local government and to develop your career in a diverse work environment.
At SDCC we provide plenty of opportunity for career progression with structured training, personal development, coaching and mentoring. We offer flexible working including blended working arrangements and a positive work environment.
Welcome to a team that's making a difference powered by people like you.
THE ROLE
The position is a fixed term contract to support the Arts Officer to deliver:
Shared Strategic Action 3: Children and Young People of the Framework Agreement between SDCC and the Arts Council
SDCC's Arts Development Strategy where the actions relate to arts engagement of children and young people
Initiatives which have emerged from SDCC's Early Years, Children and Youth Arts Strategies
The role will respond to the many potential opportunities for arts engagement with children and young people in the county and to maximise the impact on the ground. The Assistant Arts Officer will have a key role in carrying out administrative and operational responsibilities in the Arts Office that relate to these areas of the Arts Office programme.
The role will support the strategic planning for the development and delivery of early years, children's and youth focused arts services and progress our ambition for greater arts engagement. We also try to ensure cultural diversity in our programmes and activities which reflects the diversity of the people of South Dublin.
Learning and innovation is a significant aspect of the role, as is embedding knowledge in the local authority Arts service that improves aspects of the service. A key challenge of the role will be to find ways of working with a range of partners to increase participation in a sustainable way, in line with the Framework Agreement and the SDCC's Arts Development Strategy.
Desired Outcomes
Strengthened resources needed to co-ordinate, monitor and evaluate education and participation programmes for early years, children's and youth arts
Increased opportunities for children from 0 6 years and from 7 - 12 years to participate in the arts
Engaged a greater number of young people in the arts across all age groups and all artforms on a regular basis and that more young people will have pathways to progress towards and engage in professional practice
The post is wholetime, temporary and pensionable. The contract is for a fixed term of two years for the purpose of delivering Shared Strategic Action 3: Children and Young People of the Framework Agreement between South Dublin County Council and the Arts Council, and SDCC's Arts Development Strategy.
SALARY
€51,722 - €53,266 - €54,844 - €56,454 - €58,076 - €59,967 (1st LS1) - €61,865 (2nd LSI)
HOURS OF WORK
35 hours per week. SDCC reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time.
ANNUAL LEAVE
30 days per year
Essential Requirements
Candidates must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
- Have obtained an ordinary degree (level seven or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications) in an Arts or Cultural discipline
- Have at least three years satisfactory relevant arts development and arts administration experience including experience in the area of programme development for children and/or young people and budget management
- Have a satisfactory knowledge of a public service organisation
- Be of good character
- Be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service
Desirable Requirements
- A track record of playing a key role in actively developing and sustaining partnerships
- Management and administration experience, including strong financial and budget management
- Experience of preparing reports, statistical information, and meeting other reporting requirements
- Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and digital
- Experience of writing funding applications
Delivering Results
KEY COMPETENCIES / SKILLS
Demonstrates the ability to translate the business/team plan objectives into clear priorities and actions for their area of operation
Demonstrates the ability to help establish high quality service and customer care standards
Demonstrates the ability to convert operational objectives into specific work plans, program activities and schedules
Managing Resources
Demonstrates the ability to allocate resources across jobs to ensure that priorities are met and that work is executed in the most efficient manner possible to deliver quality work and services
Performance Through People
Demonstrates the ability to show visible commitment to the purpose, mission and vision of the organisation
Demonstrates the ability to provide a positive sense of purpose for the team in terms of its contribution to council objectives
Demonstrates the ability to lead the team/service area in a manner that provides clarity of purpose and a focus on delivery
Demonstrates the ability to lead and develop the team and its members to achieve corporate objectives through the effective management of performance
Personal Effectiveness
Demonstrates the ability to recognise the value of and requirement to communicate effectively
Demonstrates good written and verbal skills
Demonstrates good interpersonal skills
Local Government Knowledge
Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government
Demonstrates knowledge of current local government issues and future trends
Demonstrates understanding of the role of Assistant Arts Officer in this context
DUTIES
Duties
Reporting to the County Arts Officer, under the Director of Community, the key duties of the Assistant Arts Officer Children and Young People will include:
- To take an operational lead on our early years, children's and youth arts initiatives
- To manage and deliver to a high artistic standard a range of projects identified in the Children and Early Years Arts Strategy including two pilot programmes in a community context
- To co-ordinate through dialogue and programme strategies, the potential of existing youth arts strands within South Dublin County
- To devise proposals for new supports, training and interventions where a need has been identified (for example, in social inclusion contexts/cultural diversity) and implement these proposals subject to available resources and approval
- Work closely with local, regional and national partners to enhance resources and enrich practice, for example, Exploring and Thinking Early Years partnership, Music Generation South Dublin, and other initiatives
- To integrate youth arts work with other arts programmes, subject to available resources, in order to derive added value from all types of arts projects
- Provide administrative support for a range of participatory children's and youth arts programmes
- To co-ordinate and manage the Garda Vetting process across the Arts Office
- Assist with the management of grants, awards, bursaries and commissions where they relate to early years, children's and youth arts
- To provide opportunities for artists to engage in children's and youth arts projects and to support artists with relevant training where appropriate
- To develop and deliver projects in such a way as to support their sustainability
- Work across programmes and partnerships to ensure that diversity and inclusion are embedded in these areas of the arts programme
- To ensure that the Voice of the child and young person is heard in policy and programme development
- Prepare documents and reports as appropriate
- Monitor and evaluate programmes to learn from the social impact of South Dublin County Council and Arts Council investment, to inform forward planning and decision making
- Provide reliable quantitative data in relation to participation and demographics
- Carry out administrative and operational responsibilities in the Arts Office in connection with the delivery of Shared Strategic Action 3: Children and Young People of the Framework Agreement between South Dublin County Council and the Arts Council
- To assist with annual funding applications and funding applications to resource early years, children's and youth arts initiatives
- To carry out all duties in compliance with appropriate procedures including the maintenance of records and information
These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Applications will only be accepted through SDCC's e-Recruitment system before midnight on Monday, 22nd December 2025.
SELECTION PROCESS
Selection will be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of SDCC. Interviews may be conducted face to face or online through Microsoft Teams. SDCC will not be responsible for any expenses a candidate may incur in attending for interview.
SDCC reserves its right to shortlist applications. Shortlisting may include desktop shortlisting and/or preliminary interviews.
A panel may be formed on the basis of such interviews. The life of the panel will be for a period of one year from the date of its formation.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS
Medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by SDCC Two satisfactory references from responsible persons (at least one from current employer) Garda Vetting in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau Act 2012-2016
Citizenship Requirements
Candidates must, by the date of submission of application form, be:
- A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA); or
- A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
- A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
- 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
- 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
- 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
For Critical Skills Occupations: Candidates must have a Critical Skills Employment Permit (stamp 1G) and ensure that the post is included in the Critical Skills Occupations List.
BLENDED WORKING
SDCC operates a Blended Working Policy in accordance with the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Successful candidates may apply to work remotely up to two days per week, provided that the role is deemed suitable for blended working. Blended working arrangements cannot commence until six months of continuous employment have been completed.
PROBATION
New appointees will serve a probationary period of one year (which may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive). Officers who have already completed a probationary period with another Local Authority will not be obliged to serve probation with SDCC.
SUPERANNUATION
New entrants will be admitted to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. 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.
2025 Contribution Rates
Single Public Sector Pension Scheme members: €0.00 to €34,500: 0% €34,500 to €60,000: 3.33% Over €60,000: 3.5%
RETIREMENT AGE
There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service. The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.
Additional Information
Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the South Dublin administrative area
Holders of the office will reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof
Employees may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties
It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) that retirees under that Scheme are debarred from applying for this position
SDCC is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will automatically disqualify. Show more Show less
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