Senior Staff Officer

Job Description: The Senior Staff Officer will have responsibility, under general direction, for a large section or area of the department. The Senior Staff Officer may have a large, multilevel staff and will be expected to take responsibility for decision making in the section or area. Any appointee to a Grade VI post may be assigned to any of a wide range of services or activities carried out within Limerick and Clare ETB.

Professional Relationships: The Senior Staff Officer will maintain professional relationships and will work in cooperation will all relevant stakeholders as required.

Duties and Responsibilities: Conditions of Service of a Grade VI Senior Staff Officer are as determined by the regulations of the Department of Education. This is a permanent full time position.

Salary range: €53,346 - €65,173 per year

Key Responsibilities are as follows: • Management of staff within the department including preparation and co- ordination of staff rosters to ensure adequate resources are in place at all times to deliver required services. • Planning, managing and coordination of workflow and processesto ensure efficient delivery of services • Identifying, coordinating, organising relevant training of section staff. • Analysis, decision making and development of policies and procedures. • Communicate efficiently and build productive working relationships with managers and service users within the organisation, e.g. Principals, Coordinators, employees etc. • Handling escalated or complex issues arising within the area ofresponsibility. • Implementation of policies and procedures and statutory regulations and controls and preparing for Internal, C&AG and other Audits asrequired. • Representing LCETB at meetings/ on groups asrequired. • Preparation of reports, asrequired. • Provide high level assistance to senior management in Limerick and Clare ETB • Maximises the contribution of the team, encouraging ownership, providing support and working effectively with others • Manages and progresses multiple projects and work activities successfully • Ensures all outputs are delivered to a high standard and in an efficient manner

The above list is not exhaustive.

Policy and Legal Framework The Senior Staff Officer will work within the framework of national legislation, procedures and Codes of Practice, in addition to Limerick and Clare ETB’s strategy, policies and procedures. A summary of the above is outlined in Limerick and Clare ETB’s Recruitment Policy and a full list of education legislation is available on the website of the Department of Education.

Competences The persons appointed to the above posts will be required to show evidence of the following competencies:

Specialist knowledge, expertise and self-development • Clearly understands the role, objectives and targets and how they fit into the work of the unit and department / Organisation. • Develops the expertise necessary to carry out the role to a high standard and share this with others. • Is proactive in keeping up to date on issues and key developments that might impact on own area, the department or organsiation. • Consistently reviews own performance and sets self- challenging goals and targets. • Has significant expertise in his/ her field that is recognised and utilised by colleagues. • Leads by example, being committed to self-development and enhancing the knowledge and skills required to improve performance.

Leadership Potential • Is flexible and willing to adapt, positively contributing to the implementation of change. • Demonstrates a positive working attitude and leads by example. • Seeks to understand the implications of taking a particular position on issues and how interdependencies need to be addressed in a logical and consistent way. • Maximises the contribution of the team, encouraging ownership, providing support and working effectively with others. • Formulates a perspective on issues considered important and actively contributes across a range of settings.

Analysis & Decision Making • Is skilled in policy analysis and development, challenging the established wisdom and adopting an open- minded approach. • Quickly gets up to speed in a complex situation, rapidly absorbing all relevant information/ data (written and oral). • Uses numerical data skillfully to understand and evaluate business issues. • Identifies key themes and patterns in and across different sources of information, drawing sound and balanced conclusions. • Sees the logical implications of taking a particular position on an issue. • Is resourceful and creative, generating original approaches when solving problems and making decisions.

Delivery of Results • Assumes personal responsibility for and delivers on agreed objectives/goals. • Manages and progresses multiple projects and work initiatives successfully. • Accurately estimates time parameters for projects and manages own time efficiently anticipating obstacles and making contingences for overcoming these. • Maintains a strong focus on meeting the needs of customers / stakeholders at all times. • Ensures all outputs are delivered to a high standard and in an efficient manner. • Uses resources effectively, at all times challenging processes to improve efficiencies.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills • Communicate in a fluent, logical, clear and convincing manner verbally and in writing. • Is able to listen effectively and develop a two way dialogue quickly. • Maintains a strong focus on meeting the needs of internal and external customers. • Effectively influences others to take action. • Works to establish mutual understanding to allow for collaborative working. • Works effectively.

Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values • Consistently strives to perform at a high level. • Maintains consistent effort under pressure and is resilient to criticism or setbacks at work. • Demonstrates high levels of initiative, taking ownership for projects and demonstrating selfsufficiency. • Is personally trustworthy and can be relied upon. • Places the citizen at the heart of all process and systems • Upholds the highest standards of honesty, ethics and integrity.

People Management • Consults and encourages the full engagement of the team, encouraging open and constructive discussions around work issues. • Gets the best out of individuals and the team, encouraging good performance and addressing any performance issues that may arise. • Values and supports the development of others and the team. • Encourages and supports new and effective ways of working. • Deals with tensions within the team in a constructive way. • Encourages, listens to and acts on feedback from the team to make improvements. • Actively shares information, knowledge and expertise to help the team to meet its objectives. Qualifications and Eligibility: Essential: Candidates must: • have the requisite knowledge, skills and competencies to carry out the role. Competencies will be informed by best practice Public Appointment 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 QQI qualifications framework which can be assessed as being of a comparable to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent or higher or have appropriate relevant experience which encompasses equivalent skills and expertise; • Oral Irish – It may be a requirement of the post that the candidate possesses a competency in Oral Irish, to the satisfaction of the Chief Executive of the ETB/to the satisfaction of the IOT. Where there is a requirement for competency in Oral Irish in respect of a post it will be specified in the advertisement for that post.

Desirable: Have achieved or be at an advanced stage of working towards a Level 8 qualification or higher, in the relevant area with management modules contained within thequalification.

Skills and Knowledge: Relevant qualifications or experience in the use of IT Systems, such as Microsoft, Excel, P2P, DCS or other computer packages is desirable. Knowledge of Finance operations, E-invoicing, RCT, PSWT, VAT returns and supervisory experience would be highly desirable.

Garda Vetting: No applicant may take up a vacancy without satisfactory Garda Vetting clearance. If an applicant has not achieved Garda Vetting clearance by the time his/her vacancy is due to commence, the offer of employment will bewithdrawn.

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

Health & Character: Those under consideration for a position may at the discretion of the employer be required to complete a health and character declaration. References will be sought. Some posts may require special security clearance. In the event of potential conflicts of interest, candidates may not be considered for certain posts.