Executive Officer Traineeship - Department of Social Protection

Executive Officer Traineeship

The Department of Social Protection are hiring for Executive Officer Traineeship roles .

Applications are open from Tuesday 25 August 2026 with a closing date of 3pm Tuesday 15 September 2026.

Locations: Longford, Buncrana, Letterkenny, Galway City, Waterford City, Cork City, Limerick City, Thurles, Bray, Dublin 1, Clondalkin and Coolock.

Department: The Department of Social Protection Closing Date:15:00 Tuesday 15th September 2026

The Department of Social Protection (DSP) is running an open competition for Traineeship opportunities. Trainees will be appointed to the role of Deciding Officer combined with a defined and fulfilling career development opportunity for progression to Executive Officer (EO) level. The role of Deciding Officer has a real impact on improving the lives of others, assisting people requiring income support and also through their job-seeking journey

This unique career development opportunity gives successful candidates the chance to work and develop in the role of Deciding Officer in year one, and in year two to undertake one of the three distinct customer-facing roles of EO Inspector, Job Coach or EO Operations. At the end of the twoyear journey, Officers will then have the opportunity to proceed following a final assessment through an interview process to be assigned as an EO in DSP.

Successful candidates in the competition will initially be placed as Clerical Officers (COs) carrying out the role of Deciding Officer. After one year and following a successful probation for new entrants or for those already established, a successful year’s performance in the Deciding Officer role, candidates will then progress to a role as Job Coach, EO Inspector or EO Operations and undertake associated learning programmes.

At all times, candidates will be provided with practical on-the-job training, distinct learning and development supports, and third-party accredited learning. DSP is now recruiting for Trainees (Clerical Officer grade) to embark on this exciting career development journey.

Successful candidates will gain valuable experience of working in the Civil Service at an entry-level grade of CO initially carrying out the Deciding Officer role, while undertaking learning (to include structured on-the-job training and formal classroom-based learning) to develop towards an EO role in several key areas across the Department. In commencing employment under this competition, Officers will be required to develop and apply the following key skills: • Efficiency: meeting deadlines while ensuring all work carried out is to a high standard. • Being a Team Player: the capacity to work well with others by offering ideas and knowing/understanding the responsibilities expected by others. • Organisational Skills: you may have several tasks to complete every day. Good organisational skills are required so that you can plan, manage, and delegate all tasks as necessary. • Technical Skills: strong IT skills are required to process the knowledge to run relevant tools and programmes within DSP. • Results-driven: ensuring that all work carried out is thoroughly checked to ensure a high standard of work while showing the flexibility to get a number of tasks completed daily. • Customer Service Skills: Strong customer service skills can help you negotiate interpersonal relationships with members of the public and other stakeholders.

On-the-job practical experience and structured learning (on the-job and formal accredited training) will be provided to successful candidates from this competition. Over the two-year distinct career development journey, in which candidates will be fully supported, it is envisaged that successful candidates will take on the following DSP-specific customer facing roles:

Year 1 • Deciding Officer – making decisions on the awarding of income support and other payments within the scope of Social Welfare legislation. AND Year 2 • Job Coach – working with and engaging with jobseekers to assist them find employment. OR • EO Inspector (EOI) - carrying out routine investigations/reviews in line with powers under Section 250 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005. 6 OR • EO Operations - Process claims, manage applications for various schemes, and handle customer inquiries related to income supports and services.

It is expected that those successful in this competition will: • Spend their first year in the Deciding Officer role. • Attend a learning programme for year 1 which will include attending numerous courses as well as on-the-job training with other experienced staff members. • Following successful probation (or for those staff who have already completed probation) take part in learning programmes in their second year (in either a Job Coach, EOI or EO Operations role) to gain experience of different areas and of key aspects of these and other roles in the Department. Therefore, it is a requirement that all successful candidates attend the office fulltime for at least the first eighteen months. • Upon successfully commencing their second year, be awarded an allowance to support them taking on a Job Coach, EO Inspector or EO Operations role. • Participate, complete and be successful in Third-level Accredited Learning Programmes (to QQI Level 6 and 7, Special Purpose Awards), E-Learning, Selfdirected Learning, Instructor-led Training and Peer-supported Learning (practical role-based activities). Examples of specific accredited learning modules included on the Programme are: • Certificate in Social Protection Studies (Accredited QQI Level 6, 15 ECTS). • Certificate in Social Welfare Decision Making (Accredited QQI Level 7, 15 ECTS) – for Deciding Officer Role. • Certificate in Public Employment Services Provision (Accredited QQI Level 7, 15 ECTS) – for Job Coach Role. • Certificate in Social Protection Investigative Work (Accredited QQI Level 7, 15 ECTS) – for EO Inspector Role. • Certificate in Managing Social Protection Services (Accredited QQI Level 7, 15 ECTS) – for EO Operations Role. • [Note: For those staff who have already completed these specific accredited learning programmes above, there will be no obligation to complete the learning again.] • Take part in regular checkpoint meetings to assess and review their progression. Successfully completing these assessments will allow staff in the distinct roles to progress on the career development journey. Local Coaches and a Human Resources Mentor will provide successful candidates with ongoing support and advice. • After year two, and having demonstrated satisfactory progression, successful candidates will have an opportunity to participate in an interview process for a role at Executive Officer grade. • Be placed in any available EO roles following successful promotion to EO.

The Department operates a formal blended working policy in DSP. Eligibility criteria are driven by business need, individual suitability and health and safety requirements. Attendance varies from a minimum attendance of two days day per week to full time attendance in the workplace, based on the eligibility criteria. For the initial period of employment, under this competition, it will be necessary for those 30 successful candidates to attend the workplace fulltime for an eighteen-month period and thereafter, where possible and within eligibility criteria, successful candidates may apply for a blended working arrangement.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR Who Should Apply? Eligible persons who are: • Interested in working with the public face to face and on the telephone as the majority of our roles are customer facing. In year 2, this may include attending customer’ homes as Social Welfare Inspector. • Interested in joining the Department at an entry level as a starting point for a career in the Civil Service. • Existing/Serving Civil Servants – up to and including Clerical Officer grades (or equivalent grades), interested in progressing to a higher-grade role in DSP, following learning programmes and a further assessment through a final interview process following completion of the initial two years

WHAT WE OFFER Benefits of Working at DSP Pay and Benefits • Competitive salary, with yearly increments for satisfactory performance • Regular opportunities for promotion through internal, interdepartmental and open competitions • Public Sector Pension • Cycle to Work Scheme • Tax saver public transport pass • Civil Service Wide Mobility Scheme

Healthy Work-Life Balance • 22 Days Annual Leave: Benefit from a generous annual leave allowance that grows with your service length. Initial leave is 22 days per year, this can grow up to 27 days at the maximum of the Executive Officer’s leave allowance after a number of years’ service. • Flexible Hours: Work a 35-hour week with flexible start/finish times between 8 to 10 am and 4 to 7pm, plus potential to work up flexi days when working from the office.

Comprehensive Learning and Development • Structured Career Paths: We offer clear career progression pathways linked to the completion of specific training programs and certifications. As you acquire new skills and knowledge, you will have promotion opportunities to take on more challenging roles and responsibilities within the Department with an increased salary. • Learning Management System: Access a wide range of online courses and resources to support your continuous professional development provided by our industry-leading LMS. • Skills Academy: Participate in structured training programs designed to accelerate your growth and build core capabilities. • Mentoring: Benefit from ongoing guidance and support from staff who have built nationalscale systems and led major digital transformations. Refund of Fees Scheme: Avail of financial support for approved third-level courses relevant to your role and career development.

Impactful Work • Diverse Exposure: Rotate across various divisions, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the department's functions and the interconnectedness of public service delivery. You will have the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of our work.

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