External Courts Service Clerical Officer

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

The Courts Service established a 10-year strategic vision plan for the future of the Courts Service to re-design services around court users, leveraging digital technology to streamline services and ultimately delivering a modern court system. We are currently at the halfway point through our strategic vision which holds great excitement and opportunity be a member of Courts Service staff and be part of our evolving and modernising journey to 2030.

THE ROLE

The Courts Service is offering entry-level positions for individuals to join our team as a first step toward a rewarding and fulfilling career. These exciting on-site roles provide a vibrant work environment and the opportunity to make a real impact.

We are recruiting roles to our offices in: County of Galway. Note, offers may be extended to other nearby locations for successful candidates.

The Clerical Officer is often the first point of contact for our customers and may be seen as the face of our organisation. In this role you will have an opportunity to learn, develop and gain a knowledge of court proceedings and will be at the forefront of providing our customers access to justice. The office environment is rewarding and fulfilling and gives successful candidates an excellent foundation for career progression.

You will play a key role in the implementation of our exciting modernisation programme and as such, we want to make you the best that you can be.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A Clerical Officer will be responsible for:

Support management and colleagues in providing efficient, team-oriented, and customer-focused service.

Play a crucial role in assisting customers, including the most vulnerable in society, on a one-to-one basis.

Network and liaise with Court stakeholders, support the Judiciary, and assist legal representatives and customers to ensure efficient and user-friendly service.

Prepare Court lists and files, ensuring customers have access to justice.

Perform general clerical duties.

Use Information Technology daily.

Maintain high-quality records in a thorough and organised manner.

Check all work meticulously to ensure it meets high standards.

Approach tasks methodically and carefully, ensuring accuracy at all times.

Approach work in a careful and methodical manner, displaying accuracy at all times.

Note, the above is intended as a guide and is neither definitive nor restrictive.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

On the closing date of Friday 03 July 2026 candidates must have:

Be at least 18 years of age on or before the closing date.

Fulfil the Citizenship requirements, Health & Character, Garda Vetting & Security Clearance and Reference & Qualification Checks requirements.

Ensure that they meet the criteria regarding Public & Civil Service Redundancy/Ill Health Retirement Schemes.

A Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

Required Skills and Behaviours

Relevant knowledge and skills to undertake the duties of the position, including a strong command of the English language and the ability to:

Follow direction and take ownership of tasks.

Organise and prioritise work effectively.

Work well with colleagues and the public.

Adapt to changing demands.

Communicate clearly and concisely.

Show strong work ethic and willingness to learn.

Use digital tools and ICT systems effectively, with a basic level of digital proficiency.

BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES

It is important to us that staff feel supported and are given every opportunity to learn, develop and progress in our organisation. Our people and organisation strategy places a high emphasis on diversity and wellness, personal and career development and employee engagement, but what does that mean for you?

We will provide an environment where you can:

Enjoy the benefits of flexible working hours for a healthy work-life balance.

Advance your career with regular promotion opportunities.

Receive strong management support to achieve your career goals and development needs.

Expand your knowledge of the justice system through internal mobility.

Benefit from the refund of fees initiative for further education.

Utilise study and exam leave.

Under our People and Organisation Strategy, we are developing a comprehensive training programme that prioritises the learning and development of our people. Your journey will begin with a thorough induction programme and continue with ongoing engagement with the Learning and Development unit.

Expect to progress quickly in an organisation that values initiative and hard work. Whether you are a student, graduate, starting your career, or changing careers, we have a role for you in the Courts Service.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application should be made by logging into the advertisement link. The closing date is 12 noon on Friday 03 July 2026. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be accepted.

Candidates who do not hold or do not demonstrate the skills and experience will not be called for interview. The admission of a person to a competition, or invitation to attend an interview, is not to be taken as implying the Courts Service is satisfied such a person fulfils the requirements of the competition or is not disqualified by law from holding the position and does not carry a guarantee that your application will receive further consideration.

It is important, therefore, for candidates to note that the onus is on them to ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements for the competition before attending for interview. If a candidate does not meet these essential entry requirements but nevertheless attends for interview, that candidate will be putting him or herself to unnecessary expense.

It is important to note the onus is on applicants to ensure the eligibility requirements for the competition are met before attending for interview. The Courts Service accepts no responsibility for communication not accessed or received by an applicant.

SELECTION METHODS

The selection process will involve:

Shortlisting of candidates, on the basis of the information contained in their CV (No more than 2 pages), cover letter (No more than 1 page) and application form.

A competitive interview.

Assessment

The Courts Service will shortlist to select a group for interview who, based on an examination of the CV & cover letter, appear to be the most suitable for the position. Those that demonstrate evidence at the required level will be called to interview.

Skills and capabilities

Candidates should demonstrate that they have the ability to carry out successfully the duties of the role, as well as the general skills and capabilities namely:

Building Future Readiness

Digital Focus

Utilises technology and digital skills to drive efficiencies and support better service delivery.

Openness to Change

Shows interest and openness to change, innovation and new technology or processes.

Willing to try new approaches, seeking support when needed and openly sharing and learning from mistakes.

Innovation & Creative Solutions

Puts forward innovative ideas, creative solutions or helpful suggestions, no matter how small.

Building Expertise & Upskilling for the Future

Enthusiastic about development opportunities, demonstrating a positive attitude, openness to feedback and willingness to learn.

Committed to improving knowledge and skills for the future.

Develops specialist expertise in their area, through listening and learning from others.

Delivering Excellence

Managing Work Effectively

Manages, plans and prioritises workload to ensure targets and deadlines are met.

Works in a systematic, organised and efficient manner.

Uses their time effectively, seeking additional work or volunteering to support others during quiet periods.

Delivering Quality Outcomes & Service

Maintains a focus on quality, accuracy and attention to detail, even when completing routine tasks.

Delivers high quality and professional customer service.

Actively seeks support, checks and reviews their work to ensure high standards.

Attitude, Ownership & Flexibility

Takes ownership and responsibility over work, strives to become self-sufficient in their area of responsibility.

Gets up to speed with new tasks or roles at an appropriate pace and asks questions to ensure correct understanding.

Flexible, agile and resilient in the face of challenges or changing demands, maintaining a ‘can-do’ attitude and seeking support as necessary.

Handling Information, Problems and Decisions

Gathering & Processing Information

Ability to gather, understand and work with information from a range of different sources.

Handles all information and data carefully, particularly when dealing with sensitive or confidential matters.

Checks, processes, and interprets information and data, in an accurate and timely manner.

Problem Solving

Identifies and solves problems in an effective and efficient manner, with support.

Understands when to escalate issues, sharing all relevant information and working with others to find a solution.

Informed Judgement & Decision Making

Makes good judgements and decisions, considering the available information and following the relevant procedures or protocol.

Makes appropriate and timely decisions on matters within own remit, seeking support and referring decisions upward where necessary.

Communicating & Collaborating

Collaboration, Teamwork & Building Relationships

Utilises interpersonal skills to build positive and effective working relationships, even in a blended or hybrid working environment.

Effective collaboration and teamworking skills, plays their part and works well with team members.

Effective Communication

Communicates in a clear, helpful and appropriate manner verbally, digitally, and in writing.

Willing to communicate openly, sharing their views, thoughts and concerns.

Keeps others updated, sharing all relevant details.

Approaches difficult conversations with care and professionalism, seeking support when required.

Engaging, Including & Listening

Listens carefully to others and takes on board their views, guidance and feedback.

Appreciates diversity and makes an effort to listen, include and engage with a variety of people.

Candidates with Disabilities

The Courts Service has a key role to play in attracting candidates from all sectors of society, ensuring that routes to career opportunities are accessible to all who are interested. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all candidates. If you have a disability or need reasonable accommodation made during the selection process, we strongly encourage you to share this with us so that we can ensure you get the support you need.

Reasonable accommodation in our selection process refers to adjustments and practical changes which would enable a disabled candidate to have an equal opportunity for this competition. Examples include use of assistive technology, extra time, scribes and/or readers or a range of other accommodations.

Please be assured that having a disability or requiring adjustments will not impact your progress in the selection process. Your disability and/or adjustments will be kept entirely confidential.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will take place in Galway. Interviews will be structured in format, with candidates asked to provide examples of the capabilities for the role as outlined in Section 7 of this document.

If a candidate fails to confirm attendance, their application will be withdrawn. If a candidate confirms attendance and fails to show or provide a sufficient reason, their application will be withdrawn.

Panel Formation

To be considered for the panel you must receive 50% or more in all capabilities. Candidates who successfully pass the interview process may obtain a place on a panel and may, within the life of the panel, be considered for subsequent approved vacancies if they arise for this role.

The candidate who obtains first place on the panel will be the first candidate considered for a position, subject to satisfactory clearances, and so on in order of merit. The panel will be established for 2 years and appointments may be made from this panel as vacancies arise.

Candidates who have not been offered a position at the expiry of the panel will have no claim to any further positions thereafter. A candidate will only be offered a position once. If the candidate refuses a position, they will be removed from the panel.

Salary

The salary scale for the position (rates effective from June 2026) is as follows:

Clerical Officer - Personal Pension Contribution Salary Scale:

611.75, 645.43, 654.01, 670.69, 695.32, 719.93, 744.51, 762.42, 782.74, 806.29, 822.89, 846.23, 869.42, 905.60 (NMAX), 934.03 (LSI1), 958.80 (LSI2)