Senior Staff Officer

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST:

Character:

Each candidate must be of good character.

Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Council’s Occupational Medical advisor prior to appointment.

Citizenship:

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a)          A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

b)          A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

c)          A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

d)          A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa: or

e)          A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa or

f)            A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

Education, training, experience, etc

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

Applicants to Panel B (Open)

(i) (a) 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

(b) 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

(ii) have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination, or

(iii) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard, and

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

Confined Competition (Panels A and C as appropriate)

(v) (a) 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

(b) have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organization and control of staff

DETAILS AND PARTICULARS:

The Position

The Senior Staff Officer is a middle management position within the Council and is assigned responsibility for the day-to-day administration and management of a section or department handling an area of the local authority’s activities, including management and supervision of staff.

The Senior Staff Officer is responsible for ensuring that goals set out in Departmental and Team Plans become operational actions through the planning, allocation and prioritisation of work.

The Senior Staff Officer is a key point of contact and liaison with other Sections or Departments in relation to all operational matters for the service delivery section or sections for which they are responsible.

The Senior Staff Officer is expected to carry out their duties with an understanding of the political context of local government and in such a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Senior Staff Officer responsibilities are set out below:

• To be responsible for the management and administration of a section or sections within the Council, including the management and supervision of staff.

• To support their line manager to ensure work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council’s corporate and operational plans, including planning and prioritising work and allocating resources.

• To develop and maintain productive working relationships, including providing information and assistance when required.

• To act as a key point of contact and liaison in relation to all operational matters for the service delivery section or sections for which they are responsible.

• To research, analyse and communicate information on specific issues and policies as appropriate, including compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence etc.

• To represent the local authority on committees and at meetings and to report on progress in his or her respective section or department as required.

• To provide support and administrative assistance in the delivery of projects as required.

• To be involved in the day-to-day financial management of capital and operational expenditure in the section or department.

• To identify opportunities for improvements in the service delivery within the relevant area of responsibility.

• To implement and manage change management initiatives within the relevant area of responsibility.

• To manage and supervise employees in supporting roles, including assigning and scheduling duties and workload, providing on-going support and handling day to day issues.

• To ensure compliance with all organisational policies and procedures within their area of responsibility and to provide assistance in the understanding and interpretation of policies and procedures to employees in their area of responsibility and to customers and other stakeholders as appropriate.

• To participate in corporate management activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade.

• To be in compliance with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work.

• To deputise for the line manager or equivalent as required.

• To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required from time to time.

Probation

The successful candidate shall be required to be on probation for an initial period, as determined by the Council. This period may be extended at the discretion of the Council.

Salary

Remuneration will be at the Senior Staff Officer of the national wage scales. The present minimum scale is €56,754 increasing to €69,337 per annum (including LSIs) with annual increments subject to satisfactory performance via PMDS. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Garda Vetting/Child Protection

Successful candidates will be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement for this post will be 30 days per annum.

Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement from public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

Working Hours

The post entails a wide range of duties which require maximum flexibility and will be based on a 35 hour week. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

Pension:

The Local Government Superannuation Scheme applies.

Acceptance of Offer of Employment

Cavan County Council shall require persons to whom appointments are offered to take up such appointments within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, Cavan County Council shall not appoint them.