Clerical Officer

1. Introduction A competition is being held to fill Temporary Clerical Officer posts in the Department of Social Protection in Sligo. Following completion of the competition a panel will be established, which will last for a 1 year period from when the panel is set up. There is a possibility of being offered more than one Temporary Clerical Officer (TCO) contract with DSP in Sligo over the period 2024 to 2026 if performance and attendance are satisfactory at the end of an initial TCO contract. The duration and period of temporary contracts offered will vary from post to post. Many are available all year round with a number for summer months only. The Department is committed to a policy of equal opportunity. This panel may also be used to fill Irish Language Temporary Clerical Officer posts.

2. Temporary Clerical Officer Role The duties of a Temporary Clerical Officer in the Department can be very diverse. The responsibilities can include: • General clerical and administration duties, e.g. filing, photocopying, answering/making telephone calls, dealing with emails, reception desk duties, etc. under the supervision of a designated manager. • Supporting line-managers and colleagues. • Working as part of a team in delivering services. • Communicating and dealing with the public/customers, e.g. responding to queries and providing information face-to-face, by telephone or via email. • Providing the highest quality standards in customer service. • Using Information Technology on a daily basis, e.g. Department systems, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, and internet. • Maintaining high quality records in a thorough and organised manner. • Checking all work thoroughly to ensure it is completed to a high standard. • Carrying out routine accounts work. • Approaching work in a careful and methodical manner, displaying accuracy at all times, even when conducting routine/repetitive work. • Processing of social welfare claims • Control support. • Any other duties deemed appropriate.

3. Entry Requirements and Eligibility On the closing date of Monday 8th April 2024, candidates must have: a) previous relevant work experience, preferably in a customer service office environment. b) appropriate level and knowledge of relevant ICT Skills, e.g. proficiency in Word, Excel, email. c) relevant knowledge and skills to undertake the duties of the position, including the ability to: • take direction/follow instructions, • organise and prioritise work effectively, • work well with the public and colleagues, • be flexible in their approach to work, • be able to communicate effectively in a clear and concise manner. d) be at least 16 years of age before the closing date of Monday 8th April at 3pm. e) fulfil Health and Character, Garda Vetting and Security Clearance and Reference Check requirements. f) satisfy any of the Citizenship Eligibility requirements as set out below: Eligible candidates must 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 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. * Please note that a 50 TEU visa, which is a replacement for Stamp 4EUFAM after Brexit, is acceptable as a Stamp 4 equivalent. Successful candidates must continue to satisfy Citizenship Eligibility requirements at the time of appointment and at all times during their assignment. Employer of Choice As an Employer of Choice, the Civil Service has many flexible and family friendly policies, e.g. Work-sharing, Shorter Working Year, Remote Working (operated on a ‘blended’ basis), etc. All elective policies can be applied for in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions and are subject to the business needs of the organisation.

Principal Conditions of Service General The appointment is to a temporary post in the Civil Service and is subject to the Civil Service Regulations Acts 1956 to 2005, the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and any other Act for the time being in force relating to the Civil Service.

Pay The salary for this position, weekly rate effective from 1stOctober 2023, is €534.34 per week. The PPC pay rate applies when the individual is required to pay a Personal Pension Contribution (otherwise known as a main scheme contribution) in accordance with the rules of their main/personal superannuation scheme. This is different to a contribution in respect of membership of a Spouses’ and Children’s scheme, or the Additional Superannuation Contributions (ASC). Candidates should note that salary will not be subject to negotiation and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Payment will be made weekly in arrears by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) into a bank account of your choice. Payment cannot be made until a bank account number and bank sort code has been supplied on appointment and statutory deductions from salary will be made as appropriate. Upon appointment, you will agree that any overpayment of salary, allowances, or expenses will be repaid by you in accordance with Circular 07/2018: Recovery of Salary, Allowances, and Expenses Overpayments made to Staff Members/Former Staff Members/Pensioners.

Hours of attendance Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 35 hours per week. Where extra attendance is necessary, overtime payments, or time off in lieu, will be allowed in accordance with the Civil Service overtime regulations.

Annual Leave The annual leave for this position is determined by the number of hours worked.

Sick Leave Pay during properly certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent disability for service, will apply on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the sick leave circulars. Officers who will be paying Class A rate of PRSI will be required to sign a mandate authorising the Department of Social Protection to pay any benefits due under the Social Welfare Acts directly to the employing Department or Organisation. Payment during illness will be subject to the officer making the necessary claims for social insurance benefit to the Department of Social Protection within the required time limits COMPETENCIES TO BE ASSESSED AT INTERVIEW Information Management / Processing • Approaches and delivers all work in a thorough and organised manner. • Follows procedures and protocols, understanding their value and the rationale behind them. • Keeps high quality records that are easy for others to understand. • Draws appropriate conclusions from information. • Suggests new ways of doing things better and more efficiently. • Is comfortable working with different types of information, e.g. written, numerical, charts, and carries out calculations such as arithmetic, percentages, etc..

Delivery of Results • Takes responsibility for work and sees it through to the appropriate next level. • Completes work in a timely manner. • Adapts quickly to new ways of doing things. • Checks all work thoroughly to ensure it is completed to a high standard and learns from mistakes. • Writes with correct grammar and spelling and draws reasonable conclusions from written instructions. • Identifies and appreciates the urgency and importance of different tasks. • Demonstrates initiative and flexibility in ensuring work is delivered. • Is self-reliant and uses judgment on when to ask manager or colleagues for guidance.

Customer Service and Communication Skills • Actively listens to others and tries to understand their perspectives/requirements/needs. • Understands the steps or processes that customers must go through and can clearly explain these. • Is respectful, courteous, and professional, remaining composed, even in challenging circumstances. • Can be firm when necessary and communicate with confidence and authority. • Communicates clearly and fluently when speaking and in writing.