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. Fifty percent of posts filled will be confined to employees of the sector*, thirty percent will be filled by open recruitment, and twenty percent 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 coordinate 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 coordinate 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

Open Competition – Panel B 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 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. 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, and 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 the 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: €60,611 - €78,795 per annum (EL 02/26). 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 the end of the period of probation unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.