Adult Education Guidance Counsellor

Adult Education Guidance Counsellor

(Specific Purpose to cover Secondment)

Initial Assignment: Adult Education Service – North Inner City

Ref: AEGC24

City of Dublin Education and Training Board (City of Dublin ETB) was established on 1st July 2013 under the Education and Training Boards Act, 2013. City of Dublin ETB has 3,000 employees and an annual budget of €580m. It is the state education and training authority for Dublin city and serves the area covered by Dublin City Council. This provision is delivered to over 48,000 learners (20,000 full-time and 28,000 part-time) and is supported by a range of services including a psychological service, a curriculum development unit, a buildings maintenance unit and Head Office staff in Ballsbridge. It also has statutory responsibility for supporting the provision, coordination, administration and assessment of youth work services in Dublin city and is the lead partner for Music Generation Dublin City. City of Dublin ETB is also responsible for the national awarding authority for student grants in Ireland, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).

City of Dublin ETB Adult Education Services provide a range of part-time adult education options to learners in Adult Education Centres and in partnership with community providers across Dublin City. Accredited delivery is provided at NFQ levels 1-6 and a range of non-accredited programmes are available to meet the needs of learners.

Please note that a Panel may be formed from which other similar vacancies at AEGC level may be filled.

Proposed Timeframe: Shortlisting will take place: 2nd May 2024. Interviews will commence week beginning: 6th May 2024. *All dates are subject to change and are for guidance only

Location of Position: The position will be based initially in City of Dublin ETB’s Adult Education Service, Regional Guidance office, No 10 Parnell Square East, Dublin 1. The Guidance Service may operate from City of Dublin ETB and community partner centres and locations across the inner city.

Salary: €44,847 - €70,246 per annum. Successful candidates will be paid at point 01 of the salary scale unless they have previous public sector service.

Annual Leave: 35 working days per annum.

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week with evening or occasional weekend work involved. A time in lieu system will operate as necessary.

Summary of Position: The Adult Education Guidance Counsellor will be part of an Educational Guidance Team operating across the south and north inner-city area of Dublin. Educational Guidance is an integral part of the wider Adult Education Service which includes adult literacy, community education, ESOL, adult education guidance, BTEI and basic education programmes in the workplace.

The Adult Education Guidance Counsellor will contribute to City of Dublin ETB’s commitment to support young people and adult learners in the northeast inner-city to access appropriate education, training and employment opportunities.

Essential Requirements

• A post graduate diploma in Careers Guidance or Careers Guidance and Counselling OR • A Masters of Education (Guidance) OR • Equivalent post graduate qualification recognised by the Irish Association of Counselling and Therapists and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. • Experience in the field of education or training, youth work, community development, or social science, or a teaching qualification as specified under Memo V7 or Circular 32/92 of the Department of Education.

Desirable Requirements:

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to a wide range of audiences. • Understanding of the operational role of education guidance for young people and adults. • Practical knowledge of the education system and training / employment opportunities for young people and adults. • Understanding of local and national policies related to education, training and guidance. • Ability to support a staff team and to organise own workload. • Experience of Project Management and inter-agency working. • Organisational skills to establish and oversee administrative, financial and record keeping systems.

Key Purpose

• To manage and develop the Adult Education Guidance provision in line with the specified development plan for the Adult Education Service. • To monitor, review and evaluate the ongoing operation of that provision. • To provide direct adult guidance to clients. • To establish effective links with associated local and national developments.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities The Adult Education Guidance Counsellor will have the following functions, under the direction of the Adult Education Officer and Director of FET; • Provide guidance, counselling and information services to individual clients and to groups, and provide referral services to other agencies as appropriate. • To provide support and advice in the field of guidance and counselling to staff in further education centres, and support the development of an integrated curriculum of learning, guidance and progression. • To broker services with educational bodies and other institutions as emerging client needs are identified. • To share good practice from the sector and supporting the mainstreaming of relevant lessons into national policy and practice. • To act in a representative capacity if required on matters relating to adult educational guidance. • To assist in the management of resources, e.g. financial, premises, materials, personnel etc. as appropriate, relevant to the needs of the local programme. • To keep records and prepare reports and submissions in consultation with the CE / Director / AEO as appropriate. • Any other duties appropriate to the needs of the local scheme as may be assigned by the CE / Director / AEO for the effective and efficient management of resources.

Candidates should note that questions relating to the above principal duties and responsibilities will form part or all of the interview.

Competencies

Interpersonal and Communication Skills • confident communicator who is able to motivate others.

Relationship Building / Team working • Ability to work independently and co-operatively as part of a team.

Problem-solving • able to analyse information and generate creative solutions.

Organisation and Planning • able to plan and prioritise effectively with a focus on successful outcomes.

Self-Awareness • evaluate own behaviour regularly with a view to continuous learning and development.

Candidates should note that questions relating to the above competencies will form part or all of the interview.

Terms and Conditions of Appointment • The appointment will be subject to the sanction of the Chief Executive. • Any offer will be subject to the receipt of two satisfactory references. • The appointment will have a probationary period, details of which will be stipulated in the contract of employment. • Appointment is to City of Dublin ETB as a whole. City of Dublin ETB reserves the right to transfer an Officer as the needs of the scheme dictate. • The person appointed to the post will be required to contribute to the relevant Superannuation Scheme. • For the purposes of satisfying the requirements as to health it will be necessary for the successful candidate before they are appointed, to undergo at the City of Dublin ETB’s expense, a medical examination by a qualified practitioner nominated by City of Dublin ETB. • External work may not be undertaken without the prior consent of City of Dublin ETB.

Notes: • Please note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all applications are received on time. Any technical difficulties encountered by the sender when submitting applications are not the responsibility of the City of Dublin ETB. Therefore candidates are strongly advised to submit applications well before the 12 noon deadline on the specified closing date. • Your application will be assessed on the information you submit. • City of Dublin ETB may contact the named referees and/or employers for a reference should you be called to interview. • Selection will be by the way of a competitive interview which will focus on the key skills and duties of the role and the competencies associated with roles at this level.

Completed online applications should be submitted no later than: 12 noon on Wednesday 1st May 2024 Late applications will not be accepted. Shortlisting may take place.

Canvassing will disqualify.

City of Dublin Education and Training Board is an equal opportunities employer

Please see information guide for further details.