Administrative Officer

1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

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

3. Education, Experience, Etc.

Candidates shall:

(i)

(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

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

Or

(iii) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard.

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

4. 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.

Panel A & C

Candidates shall be a serving employee of a local authority or a regional assembly and have not less than two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous post.

The Role

The Administrative Officer is a middle management position within Roscommon County Council 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 Administrative Officer contributes to and implements the strategic and policy decisions of the Council, through ensuring the implementation of operational plans.

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.

DUTIES

The key duties and responsibilities of the post of Administrative Officer include but are not limited to:

To be responsible for the management and administration of one or more sections or departments within the Council, including the management of staff and the planning and prioritising of work programmes.

To contribute to and implement the strategic and policy decisions of the Council by ensuring that work programmes within their area of responsibility are implemented to deliver on the Council’s corporate and operational plans.

To develop and maintain productive working relationships with all external agencies, bodies, elected representatives, committee members and other stakeholders, including providing information and assistance when required.

To communicate and liaise effectively with employees, managers in other sections, senior managers, customers and elected representatives and other stakeholders in relation to operational matters for their section.

To research, analyse and communicate information on specific issues and policies as appropriate, including compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence etc.

To represent the local authority on committees and at meetings and to report on progress in their respective section or department as required.

To provide support and administrative assistance in the delivery of projects as required.

To be responsible for the day to day financial management of capital and operational expenditure in the department or section, including preparation of budgets and maximising funding opportunities where appropriate.

To identify opportunities for improvements in the service delivery, value for money and other efficiencies within the relevant area of responsibility and to use performance indicators effectively as appropriate.

To communicate, implement and manage change management initiatives within the relevant area of responsibility.

To manage and supervise employees in supporting roles, including assigning duties and workload, providing on-going support, handling day to day issues and identifying training and development requirements as appropriate.

To ensure that department or section operations are in compliance with all Council policies, procedures, practices and standards and in compliance with the principles of good governance, legislative requirements and Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government circulars and guidance.

To provide assistance in the understanding and interpretation of the Council’s policies and procedures to employees in their area of responsibility and to customers and other stakeholders as appropriate.

To participate in corporate management activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade.

To be in compliance with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work.

To deputise for the line manager or equivalent as required.

To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required, or assigned, from time to time.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government.

• Knowledge of current local government issues, priorities and concerns and the strategic direction of local government.

• Understanding of the role of an Administrative Officer.

• Relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level.

• Experience of managing and supervising staff, including managing performance.

• Experience of compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence etc.

• Effective budget and financial and resource management skills.

• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

PARTICULARS

1. The post is whole time and pensionable. Panels will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panels will be used to fill both permanent and temporary positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panels.

2. Probation

Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

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

(b) such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period,

(c) such persons shall cease to hold such 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.

3. Remuneration

€60,011 – €78,015 (LSI2) per annum

Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the post shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to and received by them by virtue of their post or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

In accordance with EL02/2011 persons who are not serving Local Authority employees must be placed on the minimum of the scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy.

4. Garda Vetting / Child Safeguarding

Successful candidates may be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures and will be required to complete Appendix V of the County Council’s Child Protection Policy.

5. Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo at their expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.

6. Residence

Roscommon County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises or district in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation.

The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

7. Annual Leave

Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997. Annual leave entitlement will be 30 days per annum (inclusive of days preallocated for Christmas period). The annual leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December.

8. Working Hours

The successful candidate’s normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

9. Superannuation

Candidates will be informed of their superannuation position at the time an offer of appointment is being made.

10. Recruitment

Selection of candidates for appointment shall be by means of a competition conducted by or on behalf of Roscommon County Council.

The Selection Process may include the following:

• Online Aptitude Testing

• Short-listing of candidates on the basis of the information contained in their application;

• Preliminary interview, which may also include a presentation;

• Competitive interview, which may also include a presentation;

• Work sample/role play/media exercise, and any other tests or exercises that may be deemed appropriate.

Please note that Roscommon County Council reserves the right to hold any part of the selection process by way of remote/video-call platform or other appropriate methodology.

Panels may be formed on the basis of such a selection process. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the post and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may be appointed to this post.