Administrative Officer

The Position

The Administrative Officer is a middle management position within the Local Authority and is responsible for the administration and management of one or more sections or departments handling specific areas of the Council’s activities, including the management of staff. The post holder will be expected to work closely with senior managers and elected representatives in delivering services to the highest standard and to contribute to the development and implementation of strategies and policies. The Administrative Officer is the primary point of contact and liaison with other departments or directorates in relation to all operational matters for the service delivery section or sections for which they are responsible. The Administrative Officer is expected to carry out their duties with an understanding of the political context of local government and in such a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making. The person appointed will work under the direction and control of the Senior Executive Officer or other officer designated by the Chief Executive.

Meath County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post of Administrative Officer from which future vacancies may be filled. 50% of posts filled will be confined to employees of the sector*, 30% will be filled by open recruitment and 20% will be confined to employees of Meath County Council.

The sector includes all Local Authorities and Regional Assemblies (where applicable). Applicants who are not existing employees of a local authority or regional assembly (where applicable) are not eligible to apply for competitions confined to the sector (Panel A) or confined to Meath County Council (Panel C). Only serving members of Meath County Council can apply to Panel C.

Purpose, Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsibility for the management of one or more sections/departments within Meath County Council

• Responsibility for the day-to-day operations of these sections/departments

• To identify and agree work programmes, targets and deadlines and ensure their subsequent implementation

• To manage and supervise staff up to the position/grade of Senior Staff Officer or analogous grades and to ensure the training and development of such staff

• To build effective teams, develop motivation and commitment and maintain sound employee relations and morale as relevant, in accordance with good employment practice and relevant legislation

• To determine the nature, level and pattern of demand for the service in the service/department/function and to recommend both service level and strategic policy priorities to senior management

• To contribute to the strategic and policy making decisions of Meath County Council

• To achieve and maintain the productive association between elected representatives and the executive in the delivery of services

• To develop and maintain relationships with external agencies in accordance with policy and to ensure the agreements to co-ordinate work programmes are implemented

• To implement the requirements of the ‘Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government’

• To implement the systems necessary and co-ordinate the resources to support services

• To prepare budgets and ensure that work programmes are implemented within allocated budgets

• Representing the Council at a variety of meetings

• Preparation of reports for Council and other stakeholders

• Attending Court as a witness for the Council as required

• To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required from time to time

Qualifications for the Post

Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

Health

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

Education and Experience

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

Open Competition – Panel B

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 of 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 an 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

v. Candidates must hold a full unendorsed Category B Driving License

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.

Confined Competition – Panel A & C

a) To be a serving employee in a Local Authority or Regional Assembly and have at least two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or an analogous post, and

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

Requirements, Knowledge, and Skills

In the context of the duties and responsibilities for the post of Administrative Officer listed above, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the following knowledge, experience, skills:

• Have a satisfactory understanding of the Council’s purpose and priorities and knowledge of public service organisation in Ireland

• Demonstrate relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level

• Be self-motivated with ability to work on own initiative

• Have a career record that demonstrates an ability to manage and supervise staff

• Have excellent interpersonal and communications skills and be capable of representing the Council in a professional and credible manner

• Have an awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace

• Understand the changing environment and be capable of implementing change in order to deliver quality services to citizens

• Understand the representational role of the elected members and be capable of working closely with them to deliver quality services and implement policy decisions

• Have experience of budget preparation and management

• Have satisfactory IT skills

Miscellaneous Provisions

Salary

Salary scale: €60,011 - €78,015 per annum (EL 07/25). Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Hours of Work

The normal working hours will be 35 hours per week. Duties may require the successful applicant to work outside of normal working hours i.e. attendance at evening/weekend, training duties etc. as part of normal working hours without additional remuneration. All hours worked will be subject to the provision of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 as amended.

You may be required to complete a time-sheet in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001.

Start Date

Meath County Council shall require a person to whom an offer of employment is made to take up an appointment within a reasonable period of time, usually two months from date of offer, to meet the organisational requirements of the Council. Meath County Council reserves the right to withdraw its offer in the event that an appointment is not taken up within such a period.

Leave

30 days per annum

Sick Leave

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

Probation

The following provisions will apply:

(a) there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation

(b) such period shall be 9 months but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period

(c) such persons shall cease to hold the position at end of the period of probation unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory

Travel

It is desirable that holders of the post should hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall be required to drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Local Authority Travel and Subsistence Policy.

Meath County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

Residence

The person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to performing the role/function as approved by the Chief Executive.

Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or

f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa

Safety and Welfare

The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Meath County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. He/she shall familiarise him/herself with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety, clothing and equipment.

Training

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

Garda Vetting

Successful candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting in advance of appointment to the position.

Outside Employment

The officer may not engage in private practice, or be connected with any outside business, which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Superannuation Contribution

Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.

A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). A person paying Class A rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. A person paying Class D rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority depending on their existing scheme, may be a member of a dependent scheme i.e. either the Local Government (Widows & Orphans Contributory Pension) Scheme or the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme and if a member of either scheme will be required in respect of the to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

Officers are admitted to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act, 1998 and the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, with effect from date of appointment. This scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement and death gratuities.