Administrative Officer

The Role

The role of Administrative Officer is a key management position within Cork City Council, responsible for the day-to-day administration and management of one or more sections or departments. The role operates as a crucial link between frontline staff and senior management, with responsibility for service delivery, resource management, and operational effectiveness.

Administrative Officers contribute to the development and implementation of strategic policies and forward-thinking initiatives that guide the work of the Council. They are expected to play an active role in strategic and policy development, working closely with senior management, elected representatives, external agencies, and key stakeholders to ensure the highest standards of service delivery.

Administrative Officers may also represent the Council at meetings, reporting on progress and outcomes in their respective areas at Council, Local Area Committees or Strategic Policy Committee meetings. Typically working as part of a multidisciplinary team within one of the Council’s Directorates, Administrative Officers are responsible for managing resources and coordinating services across a range of functions, which may include:

• Planning

• Community, Cultural and Social Development

• Housing

• Environmental Services

• Infrastructure

• Emergency Services

• Human Resources

• Finance

The Person

The ideal candidate will demonstrate substantial experience and a proven record of achievement in management and service delivery. Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• A proven capacity to contribute to the development and delivery of strategic objectives, including through the implementation of service improvements and change programmes.

• A strong track record of managing people, budgets, and other resources effectively to ensure efficient service design and delivery within a budgetary control framework.

• Experience leading and motivating diverse teams, fostering employee engagement, and creating a culture of innovation and accountability.

• The ability to plan, prioritise, and deliver work within tight deadlines, while maintaining a strategic focus.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to build productive relationships across all levels of the organisation and with external partners.

• A sound understanding of Cork City Council’s strategic objectives, internal and external stakeholders, and operating environment.

• Knowledge of the structure and functions of local government, current issues, and future trends, along with an understanding of the Administrative Officer’s role within this context.

Duties and Responsibilities

The following is a representative list of key duties and responsibilities that may be assigned to an Administrative Officer:

• Contribute to the development of longer-term strategies and policies that guide the Council’s work and the development of the city.

• Manage one or more sections or departments to implement the strategic and policy decisions of the Council.

• Ensure efficient and effective implementation of work programmes to deliver on the Council’s strategic objectives as outlined in relevant corporate plans and strategies.

• Identify opportunities for improvement in service delivery including the use of performance indicators to measure and enhance outcomes.

• Initiate, develop, and deliver projects aligned with the Council’s strategic priorities and evaluate their impact.

• Financial management including budget preparation, oversight of operational expenditure and income and maximising and recouping available funding within appropriate timeframes.

• Provide ongoing support, guidance, and development opportunities for staff while ensuring full compliance with relevant staff policies and procedures. Managing and supervising work including the assignment of duties and workload.

• Communicate and liaise effectively with all stakeholders including employees, managers, customers, and elected representatives on operational matters.

• Ensure all departmental operations comply with Council policies and legislative requirements.

Qualifications Required

Minimum Qualifications

The essential qualifications for the post of Administrative Officer, as declared by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government:

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Training, Experience etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(i) (a) Have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four subjects 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

(ii) Have obtained a comparable standard in equivalent examination, or

(iii) Hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard, and

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

Eligibility Requirements: Confined Competition

To be eligible to apply under the Confined Competition, candidates must:

a) Be a serving employee of a Local Authority or Regional Assembly, and

b) Have not less than two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or an analogous post, and

c) Have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation, and staff supervision.

Panel Formation

Following the selection process, three panels will be formed for the post of Administrative Officer, from which future permanent and temporary vacancies may be filled.

• Panel A (Confined to the Local Authority Sector) will comprise successful applicants, in order of merit, from within the Local Authority or Regional Assembly sector only. 50% of appointments will be made from this panel.

• Panel B (Open) will comprise all successful applicants, in order of merit, including Local Authority/Regional Assembly staff and external candidates. 30% of appointments will be made from this panel.

• Panel C (Confined to Cork City Council) will comprise successful applicants, in order of merit, who are current employees of Cork City Council at the closing date. 20% of appointments will be made from this panel.

The order of candidates on each panel will be determined by their placement on the overall order of merit following the selection process.

Salary

The salary scale for the post is:

€60,011 - €61,480 - €63,194 - €64,914 - €66,634 - €68,170 - €69,745 - €71,269 - €72,790 (Max) - €75,395 (LSI1) - €78,015 (LSI2)

In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011 will enter the scale at the minimum point.

Hours of Work

The standard working week will be 35 hours per week. The role may, on occasion, include evening and weekend work. Holders of the post may be called for duty at any time in accordance with arrangements made by local authorities. The Council reserves the right to alter hours from time to time. All hours worked will be subject to the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

Candidates are advised to view our Candidate Information Booklet where they will find further information on the format of the competition, our Principal Conditions of Service, and General Data Protection Regulation.