Clerical Officer

THE POSITION The Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Clerical Officer. The Clerical Officer is a key support position within the Council, providing a comprehensive general administrative and clerical support to a section or department. The Clerical Officer works as part of a team to meet work goals and objectives and to deliver quality services to internal and external customers. The duties of a Clerical Officer are varied and can involve assignment to different parts of the organisation or different areas of work. The work of the Clerical Officer requires that employees in the role function in a flexible manner and work effectively together as a team to deliver required outcomes or outputs. The Clerical Officer is expected to carry out their duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence. The Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and temporary vacancies for the position of Clerical Officer shall be drawn.

QUALIFICATIONS Education, Experience, etc. On the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, candidates shall have:- a) At least Grade D (or a pass) in Higher or Ordinary Level in five subjects from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme or a Pass Leaving Certificate Applied or a Level 2 N.C.V.A. Certificate Or b) Have passed an examination of at least equivalent standard. Or c) Have had at least two years previous service in an office of Clerical Officer, Clerk/Typist (Clerical Duties), Clerk/Typist (Typing and Clerical Duties) or Clerk/Typist, under a Local Authority or Health Board in the State. Or d) Have satisfactory relevant experience which encompasses demonstrable equivalent skills. In the event that an offer of employment is made, the candidate will be required to submit all relevant Educational Qualifications in order to meet the requirements above. DUTIES A Clerical Officer is the entry grade within the administrative structure of Wicklow County Council. Clerical Officers provide administrative and secretarial support within a team to ensure the provision of customer services, across the organisation. These services include housing, transportation infrastructure, environmental protection, planning, recreation & amenity, community development and supporting economic development. Duties may include (but not limited to):

• Participating and supporting the work of the assigned section or department to ensure that work programs are delivered in accordance to the operational plans
• Communicating and liaising with team members, supervisors, members of the public and others in relation to operational matters in their section or area of work
• Preparing reports, correspondence and other documents as necessary
• Providing a comprehensive administrative and clerical service as required
• Ensuring high levels of customer service, responding to queries and requests for information in a professional, courteous and timely manner
• Supporting and participating in all change management initiatives within their area of work or the wider organisation
• Supporting and assisting team members as required
• Participating in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade
• Complying with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work
• Deputising for the line manager or equivalent as required
• Such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

DESIREABLE SKILLS An ability to demonstrate competence in the following areas:

• Excellent Customer Service skills and experience in operating within a busy administration environment
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
• have good interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to communicate in a clear, concise manner
• Have an excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Microsoft Word and Excel
• Have excellent administration skills and telephone manner
• have an ability to work on own initiative, in an independent environment and without constant supervision
• have an understanding of the Council’s purpose and knowledge of public service organisation in Ireland

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the purpose of creating a panel for Clerical Officers (Grade III) from which permanent/temporary vacancies arising may be filled. While any candidate appointed may be assigned at any time to any of the Municipal Districts/Directorates under the Chief Executive’s control.

Probation Where persons who are not already permanent officers 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 office on probation; (b) such period shall be three months (temporary contract) and six months (permanent contract) this period may be extended at the Chief Executive discretion; (c) such persons shall cease to hold such office at the end of the period of probation, unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons in satisfactory. Salary: €30,811 – €47,945 per annum includes 1st LSI E.L. 03/2025

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time in line with national policy. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform. Starting pay shall be determined in accordance with appropriate Departmental Circular letters. New Entrants will be placed on the minimum of salary scale.

Hours of Work The person appointed will be required to work a 35 hour per week Monday to Friday which equates to a 7 hour day to be accounted for with attendance hours of 9.00 a.m. to 5.00p.m. with one hour lunch between 1.00p.m. and 2.00p.m. A flexi system is also in operation.

Garda Vetting Candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting. Appointment(s) will be considered having regard to receipt of satisfactory Garda Vetting, particularly to determine suitability to work with children/vulnerable adults. 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. Work Permit All non-EU/EEA citizens must hold a valid work permit prior to and for the duration of their contract. The work permit must allow you to work full time for Wicklow County Council. It is the responsibility of individual employees to ensure that you have a valid work permit. If at any stage during your contract you cease to hold a valid work permit you must immediately advise Wicklow County Council and your employment will cease with immediate effect.

Health: For the purposes 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.

Residence: Holders of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Annual Leave: Annual leave entitlement will be 27 days per annum exclusive of public holidays and Good Friday.

Retirement Age: There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the Public Service as defined in the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. Persons who are NOT new entrants to the Public Service as defined in the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004 and the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018, are subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years. With effect from 1st January 2013, persons who are pensionable under the terms of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will have a minimum retirement age of 66 years initially rising in line with the State Pension age changes. Members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme have a compulsory retirement age of 70 years. Superannuation: Persons who become pensionable public servants on or after 1st January 2013 will become members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme and, as such, will be required to pay contributions of 3% of pensionable remuneration and 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). Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of the 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).

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. All persons who become pensionable officers 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 their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.