Executive Officer

What is the role?

The Executive Officer (EO) grade is the entry level to junior management in the Civil Service. Executive Officers are employed in all government departments and offices and cover a wide range of roles and activities.

In recruiting Executive Officers, publicjobs is conscious of the fact that many of the senior positions in the Civil Service will, in time, be filled by people recruited at this level. For this reason, we look for people who show the potential to take on high level responsibilities in the management of public services and the analysis of public policy issues.

Requirements for the role

In order to be effective in the role of an Executive Officer in the Civil Service, candidates need to be:

• Interested in public affairs and committed to the concept of public service

• Capable of planning and organising people and resources to meet goals, targets and objectives

• Understanding and sensitive in dealing with others, and persuasive when communicating in general

• Interested in making sure all tasks are completed to a very high standard

• Willing to share ideas and information with people for the purpose of achieving a particular result

• Enthusiastic about working as part of a team

• Capable of presenting written material in a clear, concise, comprehensive and convincing manner

• Fully committed to achieving quality results

• Capable of using initiative as and when appropriate

• Able to conduct an in-depth review of intricate, non-routine subject areas and make appropriate recommendations

Key duties and responsibilities

The specific duties of each Executive Officer role will largely be determined by the Civil Service organisation to which you are assigned. However, some duties and responsibilities will be common to all Executive Officer roles, including:

• Planning and organising people and resources to meet goals, targets and objectives

• Presenting written material in a clear, concise and comprehensive manner

• Collating and examining information, identifying anomalies and making links to support the work of the team

• Explaining complex information and interacting with the public or customers on schemes and services, potentially including service desk support

• Conducting in-depth reviews of intricate and or sensitive information and making appropriate recommendations

• Taking ownership to ensure issues are resolved or escalated to the proper resources in a timely manner

• Playing an active role on the team and participating effectively in pursuit of team goals

• Collaborating effectively with other teams and business units to ensure the delivery of high quality work in a timely manner

• Supervising, training and coordinating staff

• Supporting or standing in for the Line Manager as required

• Being enthusiastic, flexible, results focused and able to work independently

• Carrying out any other duties relevant to the role which may be identified from time to time

This job description is a guide to the general range of duties of the successful candidate. It is not intended to be definitive or restrictive.

Questions answeredHow long will the recruitment process take?

The duration of the recruitment process depends on several factors, primarily the number of candidate applications received. The score achieved at the online testing and assessment stage determines the Order of Merit, or ranking, against other candidates.

The number of candidates called forward to subsequent stages and the timelines between each stage are determined by a demand-led approach to recruitment, based on the volume of vacancies received from departments. The number of vacancies can vary across locations.

What is online testing?

Testing and assessment stages are used to assess large volumes of applications and provide an equal opportunity to each applicant.

The score achieved at testing and assessment stages determines the Order of Merit. Ranking after the online testing stage affects the pace at which a candidate may progress to later stages. Successfully completing any stage does not guarantee progression to subsequent stages.

What are panels, clearance and assignment?

A panel is created following the interview stage and consists of candidates deemed suitable for appointment. Placement on a panel does not guarantee a job offer.

When a vacancy arises, the next available candidate on the panel is contacted. If the candidate’s Order of Merit is reached, they will be asked to commence the Pre-Employment Checks process. Assignment to a vacancy occurs only after this process is successfully completed.

Further information is available in Candidate Information Part II.

What happens if I decline or refuse an offer of assignment?

If an offer of assignment is declined, the candidate is deemed to have withdrawn their application and no further offers will be made from that competition. Requests for deferrals will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of publicjobs.

Online assessment

The initial stage of the selection process is an online assessment. Assessments may be completed in a location of the candidate’s choice where a computer and reliable internet connection are available.

Completing assessments within a secure information technology network, such as work or college systems, may cause technical difficulties. Candidates should ensure they can complete assessments in a quiet environment without interruption and on a device they are familiar with.

Candidates will receive a familiarisation booklet with preparation guidelines. The email address provided during application must be accessible at all times. Specific time windows will be provided to complete assessments, and links will be sent through the publicjobs.ie portal.

Candidates who do not complete all assessments by the deadline will be deemed no longer interested and will receive no further consideration.

Candidates may be required to sit tests in a supervised environment. publicjobs does not endorse or provide preparation courses.

Elements of the selection process may be undertaken by third parties, requiring the sharing of candidate information for processing purposes.

Deeming of candidature to be withdrawn

Candidates who fail to complete required assessments, submit requested documentation, attend interviews or tests, or provide requested evidence within five days will be deemed to have withdrawn from the competition and will receive no further consideration.

Qualifications and eligibility may not be confirmed until the final stage. Candidates who do not meet essential requirements may be withdrawn at any stage. Invitations to tests or interviews do not confirm eligibility.

Candidates placed on a panel will be required to provide documentary evidence of eligibility, including qualifications and transcripts if requested.

Reschedule requests

Requests to reschedule assessments or interviews may only be considered in exceptional circumstances such as illness or bereavement. Supporting documentation may be required. Only one reschedule opportunity will be granted.

Salary

Starting at €38,419 per year

Benefits

Benefits include:

• Access to the Public Service Credit Union

• Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme

• Access to the Tax Saver public transport pass

• Opportunities for promotion through internal, inter-departmental and open competitions

• Forty one hours and fifteen minutes gross per week, Monday to Friday

• Twenty three days of annual leave per year, rising to twenty seven days after a number of years

• Flexible working arrangements with a commitment to work life balance, subject to business needs

• Access to the Shorter Working Year Scheme, subject to its terms

• Facility to apply for career breaks upon completion of the probationary period