Vacancies

Requirements

• • An enthusiastic and resourceful self-starter, with the ability to work on his/her own initiative as well as in a small team
  • Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills with a strong service orientated approach to work
  • Proven track record in the tourism sector
  • Strong knowledge of visitor experiences and attractions in Carlow, the Ireland Ancient East region and throughout Ireland
  • Excellent IT skills and knowledge of Microsoft 365 and One Drive system
  • Project management, procurement and budgetary skills
  • Proven experience in marketing
  • Third level qualification in tourism, marketing, hospitality or a relevant discipline would be advantageous
  • Ability to work well under pressure and prioritise workload to meet deadlines required
  • Access to transport and a full clean driving licence is essential with business cover insurance

• Out of hours work may be required at peak periods in respect of the company’s festival programme. Time in lieu will be offered.

Main Duties

People and Management

• Ensure the smooth running of Carlow Tourist and Carlow Tourism offices on a day-to-day basis by assuming responsibility for the:
• Maintenance and implementation of procedures and office administration systems
• Organisation of induction and appropriate training courses for existing or new employees and volunteers who may be employed in Carlow Tourist Office and Carlow Tourism
• Responsibility for the implementation of the company safety statement in the context of the office environment and meeting all health and safety regulation standards
• To oversee the supervision of staff who may be engaged in Carlow Tourist Office and Carlow Tourism activities and ensure that service delivery meets agreed Fáilte Ireland and Carlow Tourism standards
• Develop and circulate staff rosters to ensure cover for Carlow Tourist Office in line with the opening times which are subject to change. Currently Carlow Tourist Office opens Monday – Saturday, year round with the exception of November, December and January and opens each Sunday from 2 – 5 p.m. from June – August inclusive.

People and Management

• Ensure the smooth running of Carlow Tourist and Carlow Tourism offices on a day-to-day basis by assuming responsibility for the:
• Maintenance and implementation of procedures and office administration systems
• Organisation of induction and appropriate training courses for existing or new employees and volunteers who may be employed in Carlow Tourist Office and Carlow Tourism
• Responsibility for the implementation of the company safety statement in the context of the office environment and meeting all health and safety regulation standards
• Management of office administration budgets
• Ordering of office stationery
• Organising meetings
• To oversee the supervision of staff who may be engaged in Carlow Tourist Office and Carlow Tourism activities and ensure that service delivery meets agreed Fáilte Ireland and Carlow Tourism standards
• Develop and circulate staff rosters to ensure coverage for Carlow Tourist Office in line with the opening times which are subject to change. Pre-COVID the Tourist Office opened six days per week year-round and seven days in the high season (June – August) and it is anticipated that at some time in the future these opening times will resume. Currently Carlow Tourist Office opens Monday – Friday

Visitor Engagement 

• Oversee the provision of local tourist information for Carlow Tourist Office and the production of weekly/monthly/annual events and festival listings
• Actively engage with visitors to support their needs and offer suggestions to enhance their holiday experience in Carlow, throughout the Ireland Ancient East region and in Ireland
• Oversee the creation of itineraries for tourists offering suggestions and encourage visitors to provide feedback through visitor comments, website (newsletter sign-up) and social media
• Ensure that visitors are encouraged to consider uptake of Carlow based visitor experiences and that enquiries are responded to promptly and courteously providing timely and accurate information
• Adhere to Fáilte Ireland policies and procedures as outlined in the Visitor Engagement Handbook
• Ensure that supplies of tourist brochures, maps and other printed information from providers are maintained and replenished. Ensure that the Tourist Information Office and all information is well presented
• Work collaboratively with other staff in Carlow Tourism to disseminate and share information of importance to visitors and the tourism sector within the county. Input information into company e-zines as required
• Oversee the management of the reception point for visitors to Carlow County Museum and Carlow Tourist Office
• Oversee the management of a centralised phone system for telephone callers to Carlow Tourist Office, Carlow Tourism and Carlow County Museum
• Dealing with correspondence, complaints and queries
• Communicate effectively with all internal and external customers and Board members of Carlow Tourism
• Manage local queries regarding tourism development opportunities within County Carlow in line with agreed policy
• Encourage local tourism businesses to sign up to the Discover Ireland website and accommodation providers to become Fáilte Ireland approved
• Encourage industry members to avail of membership of Carlow Tourism during the annual membership drive, assuming full responsibility for certain categories of membership.
• Input tourism related information to various company initiatives as required – print, blogs, e-zines

Administration / Marketing Assistant

• Management of office administration budgets and assistance with procurement functions
• Ordering of office stationery
• Organisation of meetings which may arise from time to time
• General accounting duties as advised by the CEO
• Duties of a marketing nature as assigned by the CEO of Carlow Tourism, in keeping with the organisation’s remit of county tourism marketing and development planning including:

• • preparation of e-zines for consumers and members of Carlow Tourism on a monthly basis
  • updating of the company websites
  • management and supervision of the on-line e-ticketing system for the Carlow Garden Trail
  • Assistance in the roll out of the annual festival programme which comprises the Carlow Garden Festival, Carlow Walking Festivals and County Carlow Golf Classic
• Carry out other marketing duties as required

Summary of Key Terms and Conditions of Employment

Duration of Contract: Full-time, permanent

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 39 hours per week

Salary: €30,000-€35,000 commensurate with experience and qualification levels plus mileage expenses based on Local Authority rates. Vouched receipts for any subsistence costs must be provided

Job location: Offices of Carlow Tourist Offices and Carlow Tourism, College Street, Carlow.

Pension: N/A

Annual Leave: 20 days annual leave

Time in Lieu: Will apply to this post with prior approval required from the CEO of Carlow Tourism, on the basis of usage within 2 months of generation

Transport: Access to own transport with a full clean driver’s licence and business cover insurance

Other: Other terms and conditions of employment will be detailed in the contract of employment and Employee Handbook.