Local Government Ireland |

There are 31 local authorities in Ireland, each an employer in its own right. The 31 local authorities employ more than 30,000 people.

Local authorities have responsibility for the delivery of a wide range of services, with a focus on making cities, towns, villages and the countryside attractive places in which to live, work and invest.

Your local authority shapes the strategic vision for their county or city, working in close partnership with other state, public and private bodies.

Local authorities offer true variety and muti-disciplinary opportunities. Our services include housing, planning, community development, arts and culture, economic development, infrastructure, climate action, libraries, amenities, recreation, leisure - to name but a few.

Local government is a great place to start and grow your career. We have entry-level opportunities for graduates across whole range of disciplines as well as a dedicated graduate programme for specific skills areas – find out more about that below.

Graduate and entry-level career opportunities in local government will allow you to use and develop your education, skills and knowledge right from the start.

As well as the structured Graduate Programme, opportunities for recent graduates span a whole range of areas including:

• Administration
• Architecture
• Climate action
• Conservation and heritage
• Engineering
• Planning
• Human Resources
• Finance and accounting
• Archaeology
• Fire services
• Building control and surveying
• Information Technology
• Trades
• Libraries
• Tourism
• Biodiversity
• Marketing and communications
• Technicians

Check out the roles available in local authorities nationwide at localgovernmentjobs.ie right now.

Not only are there great roles on offer, but there are also other benefits to working in the local government sector.

We value our employees and want to support them to develop their careers. We offer flexible working arrangements, a positive work environment, training and development opportunities, a defined career path and the opportunity to make a difference.

• Dynamic work environment

We offer a dynamic work environment where you can work with committed colleagues and engage in meaningful and interesting work right from the start.

• Learning and developmen t

Local authorities are committed to providing ongoing learning and development opportunities so that employees can develop to their full potential. Employees are encouraged to expand their existing skillsets via training programmes or gaining extra qualifications.

• Support and inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion are core values of the local government sector. We recognise and value the importance of attracting and welcoming a workforce that is responsive, accessible, resilient, and reflective of the community it serves.

• Flexible working and leave

Depending on the nature of the work, local authorities may offer blended working and flexible hours. You will also benefit from generous annual leave as well as the opportunity to avail of study leave, paid maternity leave, career break and other leave options.

• Competitive and transparent salaries

Incremental annual salary scales apply to most roles in the local government sector.

• Pension benefits

Local government sector employees are automatically enrolled in a public sector pension scheme.

As well as graduate and entry-level opportunities across local authorities, the local government sector has a dedicated Graduate Development Programme – a Graduate Programme with a difference.

The Local Government Graduate Development Programme is now open for applications. Applications close at 3pm on Friday the 1st of March, 2024.

This is a three-year structured graduate development programme that offers the chance to apply all that you have learned during your degree in specific areas in which local authorities require skills.

The programme recruits graduates to work in one of the 31 local authorities for three years while completing a graduate development programme. You can choose which skills areas and which local authorities you are interested in.

Secure a place on our Graduate Programme and you'll enjoy a host of benefits, including:

• a three-year contract
• a good starter salary of €34,919
• 24 days annual leave
• the chance to use your knowledge and expertise every day
• training and development opportunities as part of a three-year development programme
• The potential for flexible and blended working
• Training and support with a dedicated mentor from day one

Each person recruited for the Graduate Programme and offered employment with a local authority will receive a three-year fixed-term contract and will take part in a three-year structured graduate development programme that has been designed to meet the needs of graduate entrants to local government.

We want to make sure you realise your full potential and get the most from the graduate programme. An integral part of the programme is investment in learning and development for participants, including accredited training.

So, as well as getting a wide range of on-the-job experience that will allow you to build knowledge, competencies and skills, each participant will be supported to achieve an industry-recognised qualification specific to their area of work. In addition, development and training will be provided through the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) to ensure that participants are supported and encouraged as they start and develop their careers.

We will be looking for graduates with qualifications in a range of skills areas.

• Economic Enterprise and Business Development
• Project and Programme Management
• Innovation Strategy and Change Management
• HR Management
• Communications and Marketing
• Data Analytics and Data Metrics
• Climate Action
• IT Skills
• Cybersecurity
• Community Development

To be eligible for these vacancies, applicants must be able to show the following.

Graduate status

On or before the date on which a Local Authority makes you a formal job offer you must provide formal documentation confirming that you have recently achieved a first- or second-class primary (2.2 minimum) honours degree (level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications).

Undergraduates and post-graduate students

At the time of application, if you are still a final-year undergraduate or postgraduate student, you can still apply and complete all stages of the application and recruitment process. If you are a final year student and yet to be assigned a grade, you will be asked on the application form to detail the award your course of study will lead to and provide details of your final year subjects. However, you must have proof of having achieved the required award level required – that is a 2.2 minimum in an honours degree or masters. You must show this to the potential employer before they can make any job offer to you.

The next Local Government Graduate Programme will open for application in January 2024. In the meantime, you can check localgovernmentjobs.ie for roles currently available in local authorities or for updates on the programme.

You can apply by completing the online application form . Applications close at 3pm on Friday the 1st of March, 2024.