Recruitment Officer

NATURE OF POST

Permanent position - 35 hours per week

SALARY SCALE

€60,610 - €78,794 including two long service increments. As per Department of Education and Skills guidelines, new appointees who are entering this grade for the first time will start at the minimum point of the scale, however incremental credit may apply, if, immediately prior to appointment the appointee is already a serving Civil or Public Servant. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

LOCATION

Appointment is to the Louth Meath Education and Training Board Scheme. The successful applicant’s first assignment will be to the Regional Skills and Training Centre, Dundalk, County Louth.

REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY RELATIONSHIP

The Grade VII Recruitment Officer reports to Centre Manager as assigned or Director of Further Education and Training.

POST SUMMARY AND FUNCTION OF THE ROLE

The successful candidate will work alongside staff within Regional Skills and Training Centre and other Further Education and Training services within Louth Meath Education and Training Board. The successful applicant will be responsible for recruiting learners to fill available places on all Louth Meath Education and Training Board Further Education and Training programmes. The role requires engagement with prospective and existing learners by providing information on all Louth Meath Education and Training Board Further Education and Training programmes within the Regional Skills and Training Centre.

Learners will include those seeking to access Further Education and Training programmes with the purpose of reskilling, upskilling, or pursuing lifelong learning opportunities on a full or part time basis. The Grade VII Recruitment Officer will be responsible for the promotion of all Further Education and Training programmes offered by Louth Meath Education and Training Board.

The role will require a contribution to the development of new Further Education and Training programmes within Louth Meath Education and Training Board Regional Skills and Training Centre where there are identified needs. The purpose of the role is to provide a comprehensive, customer focused range of services to prospective Further Education and Training learners who may be unemployed, job seeking or in employment. The successful candidate will also work in partnership with employers, stakeholders and sponsors of Louth Meath Education and Training Board programmes by promoting appropriate Further Education and Training programmes for learners.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Citizenship Requirement

Candidates should note that eligibility to compete for posts is open to citizens of the European Economic Area or to non European Economic Area nationals with a valid work permit. The European Economic Area consists of the Member States of the European Union along with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Swiss citizens under European Union agreements may also apply.

Health and Character

Those under consideration for a position may at the discretion of the employer be required to complete a health and character declaration and a Garda Vetting Form. References will be sought.

As per Circular Letter 0046/2017, candidates for a Grade VII Officer post by open competition from the Education and Training Sector Candidate Pool must:

• Have the requisite knowledge, skills and competencies to carry out the role. Competencies required are set out below and are informed by best practice Public Appointments Service competency frameworks for the Irish Public Service.

• Be capable and competent of fulfilling the role to a high standard.

• Have obtained at least Grade D3 in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination higher, ordinary, applied or vocational programmes or equivalent or have passed an examination at the appropriate level within the Quality and Qualifications Ireland qualifications framework which can be assessed as being comparable to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent or higher or have appropriate relevant experience which encompasses equivalent skills and expertise.

Essential Criteria

• Comprehensive knowledge of the Further Education and Training sector.

• Knowledge of learner recruitment practices.

• Excellent communicator with highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills.

• A work record which demonstrates initiative, ability to accept change, new challenges, and responsibility.

• Experience in dealing with the public on a one to one and group basis in an advisory role.

• Outgoing personality who enjoys working with people and an ability to engage with all Louth Meath Education and Training Board clients including employers, agencies, and all stakeholders.

• Good written and verbal communication skills.

• Empathy in dealing with long term unemployed clients and early school leavers.

• Competent in the use of Microsoft packages or similar and working knowledge of different management information systems.

• Flexibility required around working outside of normal hours.

• Own transport and full driving licence as travel will be required.

Desirable Criteria

• Appropriate third level or professional qualifications in Training or Education, Career Guidance, Counselling, Psychology, or another related field.

• Broad knowledge of Irish labour market, Department of Social Protection and other relevant partnerships.

• Professional experience providing guidance to learners in Further Education and Training environment.

• Experience in areas such as Further Education and Training, Higher Education, counselling, recruitment, or career guidance.

• Has demonstrated ability in leading a team.

• Knowledge of information systems such as Programme Learner Support System.

• Marketing experience.

• Good influencing and coaching skills.

• Excellent problem solving abilities.

• An awareness of potential literacy and numeracy related challenges for learners.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the post are ever evolving as the exigencies of the post require. The below outlines some of the more immediate duties and responsibilities but is not an exhaustive list:

• Contribute to the development of Louth Meath Education and Training Board Strategy 2022 to 2026 and Further Education and Training Strategy 2022 to 2024 for own area of responsibility and implement strategic objectives within own area.

• Develop and lead a team on behalf of Louth Meath Education and Training Board which will support the recruitment of learners onto all Further Education and Training programmes such as apprenticeship, traineeship, part time, full time and evening courses.

• Ensure efficient management and administration of area of responsibility.

• Inform management of ideas and solutions to maximise effective use of resources and improve service delivery.

• Advise, promote, and participate in the implementation of innovations in service delivery.

• Work alongside Training Standards Officer, community training, contracted training and evening teams in developing new courses.

• Main link between Regional Skills and Training Centre and training providers in organising start dates for courses, sharing of course class lists and screening of potential learners.

• Meet with learners on first day to complete relevant paperwork.

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.

• Maximise the use of technology to advance the quality and efficiency of service provision.

• Bring a focus and drive to building and sustaining high levels of performance including motivating and leading the recruitment section in the delivery of excellent standards of customer service.

• Ensure that the service operates smoothly and efficiently.

• Provide career planning, guidance and advice to Louth Meath Education and Training Board clients.

• Conduct one to one interviews where required with Louth Meath Education and Training Board learners.

• Support the recruitment and selection of learners who wish to attend Further Education and Training programmes.

• Delivery of psychometric testing in the evaluation of the suitability of learners for courses.

• Represent Louth Meath Education and Training Board by delivering presentations to groups when required.

• Participate and contribute to employer engagement group meetings and any other groups as required.

• Collaborate and cooperate with the Louth Meath Education and Training Board Further Education and Training Adult Guidance Service.

• Ensure that programmes and their associated information is set up on the Programme Learner Support System correctly.

• Ensure that learner records are accurately inputted into Programme Learner Support System at all stages and are European Social Fund and SOLAS compliant.

• Provide an information service on placement and progression opportunities into employment, training and education for Further Education and Training learners.

• Collaborate with employers to identify job or programme opportunities for Further Education and Training learners.

• Collaborate with Louth Meath Education and Training Board staff to provide an effective vacancy and placement service for learners and employers including the matching of candidates to vacancies and subsequent follow up with employers.

• Promote Louth Meath Education and Training Board Further Education and Training programmes and services using various methods such as social media, paper media and or organising, hosting and or attending events.

• Promote all Louth Meath Education and Training Board programmes and services to the unemployed, job seekers, employers, those in employment and sponsors of Louth Meath Education and Training Board programmes as appropriate.

• Maintain records and supply recruitment related statistics as required.

• Assist in the development and maintenance of Louth Meath Education and Training Board Quality Assurance Systems and participate in working groups when required to do so.

• Take an active role in the promotion of all Further Education and Training programmes by designing and publishing promotional materials.

• Update Louth Meath Education and Training Board Regional Skills and Training Centre website with relevant course information.

• Project manage and participate in events such as open days and host visits for Further Education and Training learners, schools, employers, and stakeholders.

• Undertake such other duties and responsibilities as assigned from time to time.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

The appointee to the Grade VII Recruitment Officer post will be required to show evidence of the following competencies:

Team Leadership

• Works with the relevant team to facilitate high performance, developing clear and realistic objectives and addressing performance issues if they arise.

• Provides clear information and advice as to what is required of the team.

• Strives to develop and implement new ways of working effectively to meet the Education and Training Board objectives.

• Leads the team by example, coaching and supporting individuals as required.

• Places high importance on staff development, training and maximising skills and capacity of team.

• Is flexible and willing to adapt, positively contributing to the implementation of change.

Analysis and Decision Making

• Gathers and analyses information from relevant sources, whether financial, numerical or otherwise weighing up a range of critical factors.

• Takes account of any broader issues and related implications when making decisions.

• Is reflective in practice.

• Uses previous knowledge and experience in order to guide decisions.

• Makes sound decisions with a well reasoned rationale and stands by these decisions.

• Puts forward solutions to address problems.

Management and Delivery of Results

• Takes responsibility and is accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives.

• Successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities at the same time.

• Structures and organises their own and others work effectively.

• Is logical and pragmatic in approach, delivering the best possible results with the resources available.

• Delegates work effectively, providing clear information and guidance as to what is required.

• Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation.

• Demonstrates enthusiasm for new developments and changing work practices and strives to implement these changes effectively.

• Applies appropriate systems and processes to enable quality checking of all activities and outputs.

• Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high quality customer service, for internal and external customers of Louth Meath Education and Training Board.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Builds and maintains contact with colleagues and other stakeholders to assist in performing role.

• Acts as an effective link between staff and senior management.

• Encourages open and constructive discussions around work issues.

• Projects conviction, gaining buy in by outlining relevant information and selling the benefits.

• Treats others with diplomacy, tact, courtesy, and respect, even in challenging circumstances.

• Presents information concisely and confidently when speaking and in writing.

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

• Has a clear understanding of the roles, objectives and targets of self and team and how they fit into the work of the Department and Louth Meath Education and Training Board Organisation and effectively communicates this to others.

• Has high levels of expertise and broad Public Sector knowledge relevant to his or her area of work.

• Focuses on self development, striving to improve performance.

Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values

• Strives to perform at a high level, investing significant energy to achieve agreed objectives.

• Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenging circumstances and high demands.

• Is personally trustworthy and can be relied upon.

• Ensures that customers and stakeholders are at the heart of all services provided.

• Upholds high standards of honesty, ethics, and integrity.