Administrative Officer

Clare County Council/ Comhairle Contae an Chláir is the authority responsible for Local Government in County Clare. The corporate headquarters are located at Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis and there are four Municipal Districts (Ennis, Shannon, Killaloe, and West Clare) which are supported through area offices in Ennis, Scarriff, Shannon, Ennistymon and Kilrush. There are 28 elected members, approximately 1040 staff and an annual operating budget of €204 million in 2026.

Clare County Council provides a diverse range of services across a large geographic area. Key services areas include planning, Local Enterprise Office, rural and community development, transportation, motor tax, water, environment, emergency services along with housing activation & delivery, libraries, and sports & amenities, property management, derelict sites, and vacant homes. These operations are supported by internal services which include ICT & Digital Services, Corporate Services & Governance, Finance and People and Culture functions.

There is a diverse demographic across urban and rural communities with tourism bringing seasonal changes in population and activity in the county. The Shannon estuary, Shannon Airport, industrial zones, and geographic location between larger urban areas, coupled with the unique landscape and heritage add to the diversity of activity in the County. Local democracy is strengthened through the Municipal Districts and changes in legislation and regulation have placed greater emphasis on the role of the Local Authority in driving economic activity, ensuring accountability, accessibility and innovation while placing the customer and the community to the fore of service delivery.

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, may form a panel for the post of Administrative Officer from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. This panel will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 6-12 months at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for the following panel(s):

• Panel A (Confined to Local Authority Sector) will comprise of successful applicants, in order of merit, from within the Local Authority Sector only, ie., candidates serving in a Local Authority or Regional Assembly (where applicable).

• Panel B (Open Competition) will comprise of all successful applicants, in order of merit, and may include candidates serving in a Local Authority, Regional Assembly and external candidates.

• Panel C (Confined to Clare County Council) will comprise of successful applicants, in order of merit, from within Clare County Council only.

The Administrative Officer is a management supervisory position within the local authority and the most senior grade withing a five-tier administrative structure. An Administrative Officer will generally work under the direction and management of a Senior Executive Officer or analogous grade and may from time to time be required to deputise for senior staff. The Administrative Officer may have responsibility for a number of staffing grades, and this may include a mixture of administration, technical and outdoor grades.

An Administrative Officer is responsible for the efficient management, direction, and deployment of resources for the department or function to which they are assigned and will generally work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within one of the Local Authority Directorates to deliver a range of both front line and internal services. Front line services include social housing; transportation infrastructure; environmental protection; water; wastewater; recreation; amenity, and cultural services such as the arts and public library service. Local Authorities also pay a key role in supporting economic development and enterprise promotion at local level.

An Administrative Officer is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of one or more sections or units within the local authority and is the primary point of contact and liaison with other sections in relation to service delivery for their area of responsibility. An Administrative Officer is also expected to contribute to the development and implementation of policies and strategies within the local authority and work closely with senior management, elected representatives, eternal agencies, and relevant stakeholders to deliver services to the highest standard.

The ideal candidate must therefore be a highly motivated person, with a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services and willing to take on a challenge.

The ideal candidate for the position shall have experience in:

• Managing people (performance and development management), including all aspects of line management responsibility, including Health & Safety, PMDS and Council Policies
• Financial management and budget preparation
• Communicating effectively across different levels within an organisation
• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Project management
• Stakeholder networking and engagement
• Administration and report writing
• Dealing effectively with conflicting demands
• Working under pressure to tight deadlines
• Identifying and promoting a change management structure
• Acting on own initiative
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Operation of ICT systems and standard office software packages
• Health & Safety Management

Desirable Qualifications

• A recognised third level qualification in either Business/Politics/Journalism/Marketing/HR or
• A recognised third level qualification in Finance/Accounting/Procurement/Audit or
• A recognised third level qualification in Social policy/Public Administration or
• A recognised third level qualification in Community Development or
• A recognised third level qualification in Tourism

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require.

The duties will include but will not be limited to the following:

• Build effective teams and manage resources, having regard to training and development of staff, Health & Safety and all Council Policies;
• Identify and agree work programmes, targets and deadlines and ensure their subsequent implementation;
• Manage performance to ensure delivery of services in line with corporate objectives, policies and operational plans;
• Identify, communicate, implement and manage all change within the section;
• Determine nature, level and pattern of demand for services and recommend priorities to senior management;
• Identify opportunities to expand or improve the range, quantity or quality of existing services and make recommendations to this effect;
• Prepare budgets to include the making of funding applications;
• Be responsible for day to day financial management within the section to include maximisation of potential funding opportunities and timely drawdown, collection or recoupment of monies due to the local authority;
• Deliver projects within agreed budgets and deadlines;
• Establish and maintain strategic alliances and close exchanges with elected members, business, government agencies and institutions;
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with external agencies to ensure co-ordination of work programmes and elimination of duplication;
• Attend meetings and represent the local authority on internal or external committees, working groups or other fora when required;
• Research, analyse, disseminate and communicate essential information on relevant policies, procedures and legislation;
• Compile, prepare and present reports as necessary;
• Communicate effectively with senior management;
• Ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures, legislation, standards, codes of conduct and general principles of good governance at all times;
• Plan and prioritise work effectively and be proactive and self-directed;
• Work under pressure to tight deadlines and to take a strategic approach in the delivery of key policy objectives;
• Manage and deal with conflicting demands within prescribed timelines and deadlines;
• Implement all Health and Safety management systems;
• Implement and utilise the local authority Performance Management Development System;
• Carry out duties at all times in a fair and impartial manner that enhances public trust and confidence;
• Deputise for line manager when required;
• Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

1. Character Candidates shall be of good character.

2. HealthEach 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 - 

(a) have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics,

AND

(b) have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in Higher Level (or Honours) papers in three subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics),

OR

(c) have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination,

OR

(d) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard,

AND

(e) have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff.

Failure to upload proof of essential educational qualifications in your application form will deem you ineligible for this competition

*Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document. 

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Starting pay for new entrants to the sector will be at the minimum of the scale.

The current salary scale applicable to the post (February 2026): €60,611, €62,095, €63,826, €65,563, €67,300, €68,852, €70,442, €71,982, €73,518, €76,149 (LSI1), €78,795 (LSI2)