Senior Staff Officer

General Information

County Leitrim, located in the North West of Ireland, has a growing economy, picturesque landscape, vibrant communities and a strong arts and cultural sector.

Leitrim County Council’s vision is to build an economically strong, creative, inclusive county, making Leitrim the best place to live, work, invest and visit.

Key to the achievement of our priorities and objectives is a skilled and committed workforce, supported by enabling technologies, efficient work processes and learning and development opportunities.

We are committed to the training, support and encouragement of our staff and we offer benefits across family friendly initiatives, personal development and wellbeing of staff.

The Role

The Senior Staff Officer is a middle management position within the local authority and is assigned responsibility for managing the performance of a section or department handling an area of the local authority’s activities.

The Senior Staff Officer’s operational duties may include the day to day running of a section, the supervision and management of staff within the section, the planning, allocation and prioritization of work and the reporting of progress of work at staff management meetings.

Other duties may include representing their Department or the Council on various committees and contributing through the business planning process.

He or she will be expected to use initiative and work to a high standard and will be required to operate the Council’s existing and future ICT systems as part of their work.

The role requires excellent administrative, employee management, interpersonal, communication and other particular skills and expertise depending on assignment.

The post holder will be expected to carry out their duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making.

The Senior Staff Officer will generally work under the direction and management of the Administrative Officer and or Senior Executive Officer or analogous grade as appropriate and will, from time to time, be required to deputise for senior personnel and must be willing to take on this challenge.

Panel Information and Eligibility

In accordance with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement, the following procedure will apply to the recruitment of clerical and administrative Grade IV to Grade VII posts in Leitrim County Council:

Panel A - 50 percent confined to the Local Authority Sector

Panel B – 30 percent open

Panel C – 20 percent confined to Employees of Leitrim County Council

Leitrim County Council will, following the recruitment and interview process, form three panels from which future relevant vacancies may be filled during the lifetime of the panels.

Panel A – Confined to the Local Authority Sector

This will comprise of successful eligible candidates in order of merit serving in a local authority or Regional Assembly where applicable.

Panel B – Open

This will comprise of all successful candidates in order of merit and may include candidates serving in a local authority, regional assembly and external applicants.

Panel C – Confined to current employees of Leitrim County Council

This will comprise of successful eligible candidates in order of merit who are currently employed by Leitrim County Council.

The Qualifications – Panel A and C

1. Character

Each candidate shall be of good character.

2. Health

Each candidate shall 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:

(a) be a serving employee in 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 organisation and control of staff.

The Qualifications – Panel B

1. Character

Each candidate shall be of good character.

2. Health

Each candidate shall 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:

(i)

(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

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

OR

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

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

Note: Candidates applying for Panel B must submit copy of educational qualifications as outlined above. Applications for Panel B received without the necessary documentation will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further for this panel.

Note: All Candidates must hold a current valid unendorsed driving licence in respect of category B vehicles and must advise if this is not the case.

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.

The Ideal Candidate Shall have:

• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government.

• Knowledge of current local government issues, priorities, concerns and future direction.

• An understanding of the changing environment and capability of implementing change.

• An understanding of the varied role of a Senior Staff Officer.

• Relevant management and administrative experience at a sufficiently high level.

• Experience of managing and supervising staff including performance management.

• The ability to plan and prioritise work effectively, to work under pressure to tight deadlines and to take a strategic approach in the formulation and delivery of key policy objectives.

• Self motivated with the ability to work on own initiative as well as an integral part of a team.

• Strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills and the ability to prepare and present reports and to represent the Council in a professional and credible manner.

• Ability to build, manage and nurture partnerships and relationships across a range of stakeholders.

• Ability to manage financial resources within a budgetary control framework.

• Strong organisational skills including meeting facilitation and administration.

• Strong analytical, conceptual and problem solving skills.

• Flexibility and availability to work outside normal office hours as required.

• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

Competencies for the Post

Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these.

Please take particular note of these when completing the application form as any short listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates:

Management and Change

• Clear understanding of political reality and context of the local authority

• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government

• Awareness of current local government issues, priorities, concerns and future direction

• Ability to translate corporate policies and objectives into operational plans and outputs

• Develops and maintains positive, productive and beneficial working relationships with relevant interests

• Effectively manages the introduction of change and demonstrates flexibility and openness to change

Delivering Results

• Contributes to the development of operational plans and leads the development and implementation of team plans

• Ability to develop and deliver programmes and projects and to work to strict deadlines

• Plans and prioritises work and resources effectively

• Establishes high quality service and customer care standards

• Makes timely, informed and effective decisions and shows good judgement and balance in making decisions and recommendations

Performance through People

• Leads, motivates and engages employees to achieve quality results and to deliver on operational plans

• Ability to build and lead a positive, diverse and productive section or unit or team effectively

• Strong organisational skills including meeting facilitation and administration

• Effectively manages performance

• Effectively identifies and manages conflict

• Demonstrates good interpersonal skills and effective verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to foster and maintain productive working relationships within the organisation and with relevant stakeholders externally

Personal Effectiveness

• Relevant management and administrative experience at a sufficiently high level

• Understanding of the structures and environment within which the local authority sector operates and the role of the Senior Staff Officer in this context

• Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to exceed goals

• Manages time and workload effectively and remains calm under pressure

• Maintains a positive, constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role

• Commitment to integrity and good public service values

The Principal Terms and Conditions

The position is wholetime, permanent and pensionable.

1. Duties

The duties of the office are to give to the local authority and

(a) Such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts, is Chief Executive, and

(b) to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in sub paragraph (a) of this paragraph,

under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other officers as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an administrative, supervisory and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers, duties and functions as may be delegated to him or her by the Chief Executive from time to time and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Senior Staff Officer may include but are not limited to:

• Responsibility for the management and administration of a section or sections within the Council, including the management and supervision of staff

• Overseeing the management and delivery of projects or programmes as assigned, including budgetary management

• Supporting 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

• Developing and maintaining productive and beneficial working relationships, including providing information and assistance when required

• Acting 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

• Researching, analysing and communicating information on specific issues and policies as appropriate, including compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence etc

• Representing the local authority on committees and at meetings and reporting on progress in his or her respective section or department as required

• Providing leadership, support and administrative assistance in the delivery of projects as required

• Involvement in the day to day financial management of capital and operational expenditure in the section or department

• Identifying opportunities for improvements in the service delivery within the relevant area of responsibility

• Implementing and managing change management initiatives within the relevant area of responsibility

• Managing and supervising employees in supporting roles, including assigning and scheduling duties and workload, providing on going support and handling day to day issues

• Ensuring compliance with all organisational policies and procedures within their area of responsibility and providing 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

• Participating in corporate management activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade

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

• Deputising for the line manager or equivalent as required

• Undertaking any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required, or assigned, from time to time

2. Salary

The salary scale for the post of Senior Staff Officer (effective 1 st February 2026) is within the range:

€57,895, €59,276, €60,960, €64,126, €66,017, €68,367 (LSI 1), €70,730 (LSI 2).

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with relevant Departmental Circulars.

Offers of appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of this scale.

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

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time.

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

3. Probation

All contracts will be subject to a probationary period, during which the performance of the successful applicant will be regularly evaluated.

Where a person is permanently appointed to Leitrim County Council the following provisions shall apply:

(a) There shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation

(b) Such period shall be 12 months but the Chief Executive may, at his or her discretion, extend such period

(c) Such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory

(d) There will be ongoing assessments during the probationary period

Employment may be terminated by either party during probation or at the end of the probationary period on one week’s notice.

4. Annual Leave

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

Annual Leave year aligns to the Calendar Year i.e. January to December.

5. Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he or she is appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.

6. Working Hours

The successful candidate’s normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week.

The nature of the role will require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including evenings and or weekends, as necessary.

The Council reserves the right to alter hours of work from time to time.

All hours of work will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

7. Superannuation

Persons who are pensionable under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998, and are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution, will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5 percent of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5 percent of net pensionable remuneration.

You will also be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Childrens’ Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5 percent of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

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 his or her superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5 percent of pensionable remuneration.

You may also be required to pay Spouses and Children or Widows and Orphans contributions at the rate of 1.5 percent of pensionable remuneration.

All new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after 1 January 2013 will be members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.

All members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be required to contribute 3.5 percent of net pensionable remuneration plus 3 percent of pensionable remuneration.

Pension and retirement lump sums for member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be based on career average pay; pensions will be co ordinated with the State Pension Contribution Scheme.