Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent or temporary vacancies for the position of
Irish Language Officer in Monaghan County Council shall be filled.
The role of Irish Language Officer
The Programme for Government acknowledges the importance of the Irish language as the first language of the State, as a living language, and as a vital component of the heritage of our island. Local Authority Staff with Irish language skills are critical to the successful implementation of Ireland’s 20-year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 – 2030 and ensuring that Local Authorities can serve Irish speakers and our Irish speaking customers. The primary objective of the Official Languages Acts 2003 & 2021 is to ensure the improved provision of public services through the Irish language and Monaghan County Council is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Acts.
The objectives of the Acts are to:
- Increase and improve the quantity and quality of services provided for the public through Irish.
- Increase the total number of Irish language speakers in the public service.
- To promote the use of the Irish language for official purposes.
The person allocated to this role will be a member of the Council’s Corporate Services office. In addition to the duties outlined for the role of the Irish Language Officer the person appointed may be required to support the work of the Corporate Services team as assigned by the Director of Services/Senior Executive Officer or other line manager. This Irish Language Officer role will play a key part in ensuring Monaghan’s Irish language strategy is implemented effectively at a local level while contributing to national best practice.
The Ideal Candidate:
The Ideal Candidate must be able to demonstrate though their application form and at the interview that they have sufficient experience and a proven track record in the following:
- Excellent knowledge of the Irish Language
- Customer focussed delivery of services
- Self-motivation with ability to work on own initiative
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Working effectively as part of a team
- Planning and prioritisation of workloads
- Working under pressure to tight deadlines
- Adapting to change
- Operation of ICT systems and standard office software packages
- Ability to communicate effectively across different levels within an organisation
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The
Irish Language Officer shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned in relation to employment and as may be appropriate to any function of the council and shall carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of their duties.
The duties of the post include, but are not limited to, the following: -
- Develop and promote the use of the Irish language as required under the Official Languages Act, 2003 and the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 2021 and all statutory instruments made under those Acts throughout Monaghan County Council.
- Ensure compliance with the requirements of the Official Languages Act, 2003 and the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 2021 and all statutory instruments made under those Acts.
- Work in partnership with the Communications team to provide media, translation and communication services (as Gaeilge) for the organisation and staff including developing press releases (as Gaeilge) and support implementation of the Social Media policy and Website policy (as Gaeilge).
- Maintain relations and co-operate with voluntary organisations and public bodies in relation to the Irish language including An Coimisinéir Teanga and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
- Conduct/co-ordinate translations of signage and correspondence where required by individual Departments.
- Assisting in the naming of new streets, housing estates and buildings where required.
- Manage and maintain content updates on the Irish sections of Monaghan County Council website.
- Arrange for the procurement and management of Irish Language translation services for larger documents and website where necessary under the procurement framework.
- Audit of written and electronic material used by the Council to communicate with the public, as well as areas such as signposting, signage in our buildings and customer services.
- Assist staff in developing competency in the Irish language including delivering/organising Irish language classes in conjunction with the Monaghan County Councils’ Training Officer.
- Advise management and staff on the implementation of the Council’s Official Languages Act 2003 Language scheme.
- Where required prepare and develop an Official Languages Act 2003 Language Scheme.
- Advise line managers of statutory requirements.
- Advise staff members on the use of Irish and liaise with customers when required.
- In conjunction with the relevant Director/or Senior Executive Officer, develop an Action Plan and organise events for the promotion and development of the use of Irish language in the organisation and among staff.
- Support the Elected Members in their use of Irish at official functions.
- Support the work programme of the Corporate Services Office.
- Such other duties as may be directed by the Director of Services or Senior Executive Officer.
