Senior Staff Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

The position of Senior Staff Officer is a middle management grade within the Council. A Senior Staff Officer in the Council is required to be an effective, participative leader of a team with responsibility for organisation and management of all aspects of a section or sections including the supervision of staff. The person selected will possess an in-depth knowledge of the functions, duties and responsibilities of the local authority. Knowledge of the strategic direction and initiatives of the Council will also be required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the position shall be such as may be assigned to the Senior Staff Officer from time to time by the Chief Executive of Galway City Council, including such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any other Local Authority or Statutory Authority which has entered into agreement with Galway City Council and may include the following:

·       Responsibility for the management and supervision of staff up to the position of Staff Officer or analogous grades and to ensure training and development of such staff;

·       To plan, develop and prioritise work programmes for the section/department;

·       Responsibility for the day to day operations of the section/department;

·       To provide administrative support based on a thorough understanding of the overall workings and policy of a section;

·       Supporting line manager to ensure the work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council’s corporate and operational plans, including planning and prioritising work and allocating resources;

• To motivate, empower and encourage staff to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS);

·       To analyse and report on the workings of the section/department including recommendations to senior management regarding changes/improvements to procedures;

• To prepare budgets and ensure that work programmes are implemented within allocated budgets;
• To implement the systems necessary to support the department/section in the delivery of service;

·       To establish and maintain effective working relationships with Public Representatives, external agencies etc. as appropriate to the activities of the section;

·       To attend inter-departmental meetings on behalf of the section including attendance at council meetings.

·       To contribute to the strategic and policy making decisions of Galway City Council;

·       To comply with Health & Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work;

·       To undertake any other duties and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

The ideal candidate shall:

• Have a satisfactory understanding of the Council’s purpose and priorities and knowledge of public service organisation in Ireland;
• Demonstrate relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level;
• Be self motivated with ability to work on own initiative;
• Have a career record that demonstrates an ability to manage and supervise staff;
• Have strong interpersonal and communications skills and be capable of representing the Council in a professional and credible manner;
• Have an awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace;
• Understand the changing environment and be capable of implementing change in order to deliver quality services to citizens;

Understand the representational role of the elected members and be capable of working closely with them to deliver quality services and implement policy decisions

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

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.     Citizenship:

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

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

               ii.          A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

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

             iv.          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

               v.          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

             vi.          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

4.     Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Panel A - Confined to local authority sector:

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application Forms;

a)    be a serving employee in a Local Authority or Regional Assembly and have at least 2 years satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous grade,

AND

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

Panel B – Open:

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms:

(1)      (a) Have obtained at least Grade D (or a pass), in Higher or Ordinary level, in five subjects (or four subjects 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,

(2) Have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination, or,

(3) Hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard.

AND

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

Panel C - Confined to employees of Galway City Council:

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application Forms;

(a) be a serving employee of Galway City Council and have at least 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 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.

Each candidate must include on the application form details of all qualifications obtained by them. The invitation to attend for Interview is not to be regarded as an admission that you possess the prescribed qualifications and/or requirements for this post or are you qualified by law to hold the post. Documentary proof will be required before appointment where you claim credit for particular qualification, experience, etc.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Key Competencies for the post are given in the table below. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form and at interview of competence under each of these headings.

Leading and Motivating

·       Works with the 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 objectives.

·       Leads the team by example, coaching and supporting individuals as required including managing underperformance.

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

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

Problem Solving 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 broader issues, agendas, sensitivities and related implications when making decisions.

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

·       Uses judgement to make sound decisions with a well reasoned rationale and stands by these.

·       Puts forward solutions to address problems.

Managing Resources

·       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 work 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 evidence as to what is required.

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

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

·       Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering a high-quality customer service, for internal and external customers.

Candidates will also be assessed at interview on the basis of how they demonstrate their Local government knowledge and understanding.

Local Government Knowledge and Understanding

·       Knowledge of the structure and functions of local government.

·       Knowledge of current local government issues and advocate practice approaches to addressing them.

·       Clear and realistic views of future trends and strategic direction of local government.

·       Understanding the role of a Senior Staff Officer in this context.

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Type of Post

Future relevant permanent and temporary posts will be filled from the panel(s) formed. The post(s) will be whole-time, permanent/temporary and pensionable.

Panel Formation

Recruitment of Clerical Administrative Grades IV to Grade VII will now be on the following basis: A. 50% confined to employees of the sector

B. 30% open

C. 20% confined to employees of Galway City Council

Panel A: (Confined to the Local Authority Sector) will comprise of successful applicants, in order of merit, from within the Local Authority Sector only, i.e. candidates serving in a Local Authority or Regional Assembly (where applicable).

Panel B: (Open Competition) will comprise of successful applicants in order of merit and may include candidates serving in a Local Authority, Regional Assembly and external candidates.

Panel C: (Confined to Galway City Council) will comprise of successful applicants, in order of merit, from within Galway City Council only.

The advertising process for filling of posts according to these procedures is on the basis of:

·       Advertising one competition and

·       Forming three separate panels to meet the requirements of the ratio of posts to be confined to the local government sector, open and confined to the local authority as indicated above.

Remuneration

The annual salary (Circular EL 07-2025, Revised Local Authority Scales Operative from 1st August 2025) is as follows:

01/08/2025

€57,322 - €70,030

IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates should note that the starting salary is not subject to negotiation. Entry into the pay scale above the minimum point will only apply to existing public servants in the context of the relevant Government Pay Circulars. Candidates who are not covered by such Circulars will enter the pay scale at the minimum point i.e. €57,322

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to and received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Probation:

(a)       there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation,

(b)       such period shall be 12 months but, the Chief Executive may at their discretion extend such period,

(c)       such persons shall cease to hold the position at end of the period of probation unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

Hours of Duty

The person appointed will be required to work a 35 hour week. The successful candidate will be required to log their hours of work in accordance with the requirements of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and will be required to co-operate with the use of technologies to record such hours.

Annual Leave:

The annual leave entitlement will be 30 days per annum.

Residence:

Holder of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Outside Employment:

The position is whole-time and the employee may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Driving Licence:

While not an essential requirement for the position, it would be desirable that Candidates hold a full driving licence valid in Ireland. The successful candidate will be required to provide their own transport. Expenses incurred in work related travel will be recompensed in line with departmental circulars.

Garda Vetting:

The successful applicant may be required to undergo Garda Vetting prior to appointment.

Superannuation Contribution:

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority, who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of the State Pension Contributory).

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.