Senior Executive Librarian

DESCRIPTION OF THE POST The Senior Executive Librarian is a professional management role within Wexford County Council, requiring advanced library and management skills. The post carries strategic and operational responsibilities. The Senior Executive Librarian is a member of the library management team and reports to the County Librarian. The Senior Executive Librarian is expected to contribute to the development and implementation of innovative strategies and to work closely with their team and partners to deliver excellent service to the public. Wexford County Council Library Service is a dynamic public library network serving a population of over 160,000 people. With its headquarters in Wexford Town, the service operates five full time branches across the county, each offering a comprehensive range of services to the community. Wexford Library Service also provides two mobile libraries that serve rural communities and educational and residential facilities. Wexford Library Service is committed to providing inclusive and accessible services, adapting to the evolving needs of the community, and embracing technological advancements to enhance user experience.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST 1. CHARACTER: Candidates shall be of good character. 2. 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. 3. EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC.: Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms: (i) hold a degree (level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in the area of Library and Information Studies; (ii) have satisfactory experience of library work including satisfactory experience at a management level It is also desirable that candidates have a strong commitment to customer service and a working knowledge of current information technology applications 4. GARDA VETTING Each candidate may be required to co-operate with a Garda vetting procedure 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.

THE PERSON The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated person, with drive and commitment to delivering quality public services and continual professional development who can demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of: - • Local authority services, its key stakeholders and relationships • Local government structures and its democratic role and mandate • National and international public library policy

The ideal candidate will also: - • Have experience in leading and managing teams to achieve corporate objectives while ensuring strong governance and ethics. • Work effectively with other Council Departments, outside agencies, and partners. • Demonstrate high-level administrative experience. • Have a proven ability to lead and manage staff. • Understand the role of the Senior Executive Librarian and the future development of library services. • Understand the changing environment in which Wexford County Council operates and be capable of adapting to change to deliver quality services to the public. • Be capable of motivating and supporting staff to achieve maximum performance through the PMDS. • Possess strong interpersonal, communication, networking, advocacy, and presentation skills. • Understand the role of digital technologies in public library services and leverage emerging technologies. • Be self-motivated and capable of working independently. • Be able to manage financial resources within a budgetary control framework. • Have knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety legislation and regulations, understanding their implications and application in the workplace.

DUTIES OF THE POST The duties of the post shall be to give to the local authority under the direction and supervision of its appropriate employee, such services of an executive, supervisory and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers and duties and shall include the duty of deputising for other employees of the local authority, when required.

The duties of the Senior Executive Librarian include: - 1. Working within the library management team to plan and deliver high-quality services, collections, facilities, cultural programming, and capital development. 2. Assisting in the formulation of policies, programmes and strategies. 3. Ensuring high standards in the implementation of the Library Development Plan and other relevant plans. 4. Supporting the County Librarian in leading and implementing change management initiatives. 5. Leading, motivating and managing staff effectively, while aligning with the organisation’s development objectives through the PMDS system. 6. Leading community engagement and delivering local and national programmes. 7. Building partnerships and networks with local authority colleagues, external agencies, and key stakeholders. 8. Participating in national and local committees ensuring the development of innovative services. 9. Managing administrative functions, including budgeting, procurement, and ICT. 10. Overseeing library facilities, health and safety, child protection, data protection, sustainable development, business continuity and risk management in accordance with Council policies.

11.Developing and managing marketing and public relations to increase library membership and awareness. 12.Preparing and presenting management reports for various audiences. 13. Deputising for the County Librarian as required. 14. Such as other duties may be assigned from time to time. COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates:

Management and Change Clear understanding of political reality and context of Wexford County Council; Embeds good governance practices into day to day activities, practices and processes; Establishes, develops and maintains positive and productive professional relationships both internally and externally to enhance service delivery; Effectively manages change, foster a culture of creativity in employees and overcomes resistance to change;

Delivering Results Develops operational and team plans having regard to corporate priorities, operational objectives and available resources; Acts decisively and makes timely, informed and effective decisions, pinpointing critical information and address issues logically; Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high quality customer service, for internal and external customers; Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation; Ensures compliance with legislation, regulation and procedures;

Performance through People Leads by example to motivate staff in the delivery of high quality outcomes and customer service; Works with the team to facilitate high performance, developing clear and realistic objectives to ensure corporate policies and strategies of Wexford County Council are delivered; Effectively manages performance of individuals and teams to achieve operational plan, targets and objectives; Places high importance on staff development, training and maximising skills and capacity of team. Demonstrates an excellent level of verbal and written communication skills; Acts as an effective link between staff and senior management Personal Effectiveness Does more than is required or expected, anticipates situations and acts to pre-empt problems. Creates new opportunities; Strives to perform at a high level, investing significant energy to achieve agreed objectives; Demonstrates appropriate and positive self-confidence;

Operates effectively in an environment with significant complexity and pace;

Local Government Knowledge & Understanding Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government; Knowledge and understanding of current local government issues and the library services in particular and advocating practical approaches to addressing them; Clear and realistic views of future trends and strategic direction of local government; Understanding the structures and environment within which the local authority sector operates and the role of a Senior Executive Librarian in this context; CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 1. Tenure: The post is whole-time, permanent and pensionable. Persons who become pensionable employees of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. 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 dependant or qualified children). All persons who become pensionable employees of a Local Authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Childrens Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their net pensionable remuneration (i.e. 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 dependant or qualified children) in accordance with the terms of the Scheme. For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from 01/01/2013, superannuation contributions are 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. 2. Probation: Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of Wexford County Council is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:- (a) there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which such person shall hold such employment on probation; (b) such period shall be 6 months, however the Chief Executive may, at his discretion, extend such period; (c) such person shall cease to hold such employment at the end of the period of probation, unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory. 3. Salary: The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post 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 employment or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. An allowance may also be payable in respect of travel expenses and subsistence. €58,252 to €75,728 (LSI 2) per annum (at 1st October, 2024) Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Appointees who are not existing public servants will enter at the minimum point of the scale. 4. Hours of Duty: The successful candidate must be available to work weekend and evening work as part of normal roster. The working hours shall be within the times of 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. subject to review from time to time. Rotas may be amended periodically in response to service needs. 5. Work Base: There are 5 Branch Libraries in County Wexford in Wexford Town, New Ross, Bunclody, Enniscorthy and Gorey. Library Headquarters is based in Wexford Town. A mobile library service operates countywide. The Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any premises/service in use by the Council now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. 6. Health: For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo, at their own expense, a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.