Middle Management Role - Senior Staff Officer

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post ofSenior Staff Officer from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. This panel will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 6-12 months at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for the following panel(s):

• Panel A (Confined to Local Authority Sector) will comprise of successful applicants, in order of merit, from within the Local Authority Sector only, e., candidates serving in a Local Authority or Regional Assembly (where applicable).
• Panel B (Open Competition) will comprise of all successful applicants, in order of merit, and may include candidates serving in a Local Authority, Regional Assembly and external candidates.
• Panel C (Confined to Clare County Council) will comprise of successful applicants, in order of merit, from within Clare County Council only.

The Senior Staff Officer is a key middle management position within the local authority, responsible for supporting the delivery of services and the effective management of a functional area or section. The Senior Staff Officer typically reports to an Administrative Officer or equivalent grade and serves as an important link between senior management and frontline service delivery. The role operates within a five-tier administrative structure comprising Clerical Officer, Assistant Staff Officer, Staff Officer, Senior Staff Officer, and Administrative Officer.

The post holder is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of a section or service area, ensuring that organisational objectives are achieved efficiently and effectively. This includes supervising and supporting staff, planning and allocating work, monitoring performance, and ensuring that services are delivered to a high standard in line with Council policies and objectives.

The role requires the ability to lead and motivate teams, lead and manage change, manage resources effectively, and contribute to service improvement initiatives. A Senior Staff Officer may also represent their department or the Council on internal and external working groups, committees, and projects, and will contribute to business planning, policy implementation, and the achievement of strategic goals.

Working in a dynamic and evolving local government environment, the Senior Staff Officer is expected to demonstrate initiative, flexibility, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The role requires strong administrative, organisational, communication, and people management skills, together with the ability to manage change, embrace new technologies, and support the implementation of new ways of working to enhance service delivery.

The ideal candidate will be a motivated and collaborative leader with a strong commitment to public service, proven supervisory experience, and the ability to deliver results through effective team management and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate for the position shall have experience in:

• Managing people (performance and development management)
• Financial management and budget preparation
• Communicating effectively across different levels within an organisation
• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Project management
• Stakeholder networking and engagement
• Administration and report writing
• Dealing effectively with conflicting demands
• Working under pressure to tight deadlines
• Adapting to change
• Acting on own initiative
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Operation of ICT systems and standard office software packages
• Health & Safety Management

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require.

The duties will include but will not be limited to the following:

• To be responsible for the supervision of a section or function within the
• To support the Administrative Officer to ensure the section or department work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council’s Corporate Plan and operational plans.
• To support the Administrative Officer to communicate, implement and manage all change management initiatives within the relevant area of
• To supervise employees in supporting roles up to the position/grade of Staff Officer (Grade V) or analogous grades, including assigning duties and
• To provide on-going support to employees in the department or section, including handling day to day problems and identifying training and development requirements as
• To ensure full compliance with all organisational policies and procedures including grievance and disciplinary, performance management and attendance
• To communicate and liaise effectively with employees, supervisors and managers in other sections, senior managers and customers in relation to operational matters for their
• To prepare budgets and ensure that work programmes are implemented within allocated
• To identify opportunities for improvements in the service delivery within the relevant area of responsibility and to use key performance indicators or other performance indicators effectively as appropriate.
• To compile, prepare and present reports as necessary, including the preparation of reports or letters which may be sensitive and/or confidential in
• To support the implementation of good practices with transparent reporting and communications to deliver accountable services in the department or
• To provide assistance in the understanding and interpretation of the Council’s policies and procedures to employees in their area of responsibility and to customers as appropriate.
• To carry out duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making.
• To organise and facilitate internal and external meetings and participate and engage in discussions as appropriate.
• To support the Council and Municipal District
• To carry out duties in a politically neutral manner, with a clear understanding of the political reality and context of the local
• To provide specialist administrative assistance and support in the delivery of projects as
• To support the Administrative Officer in the management and implementation of Health and Safety for the section or
• Deputise for line manager when required.
• To comply with all requirements of PMDS operated in Clare County
• Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

CONFINED COMPETITION (PANEL A & C – Local Authority Sector and Clare County Council)

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

1.Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service

3.Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms -

be a serving employee of a local authority or a regional assembly and have not less than two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous post,

and

have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff.

*Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

OPEN COMPETITION (PANEL B)

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3.Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms -

have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics,

AND

have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in Higher Level (or Honours) papers in three subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics),

OR

have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination,

OR

hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard.

AND

have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff.

Failure to upload proof of essential educational qualifications in your application form will deem you ineligible for this competition.

*Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document. 

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Starting pay for new entrants to the sector will be at the minimum of the scale.

The current salary scale applicable to the post (June 2026): €58,474, €59,869, €61,570, €64,767, €66,677, €69,051 (LSI1), €71,437 (LSI2)