Services Officer

Section 1: Overview of the Department

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is a multi-functional organisation which provides a wide range of services both directly and through specialist state agencies operating under its aegis. The Department has a wide and diverse customer base which includes farmers, consumers, food processors and other commercial operators, those involved in sea fishing, forestry, bio-energy, research as well as diverse European Union institutions, other State Bodies and special interest groups. The Mission of the Department is:

“To lead, enable and regulate the sector in a way that optimises its contribution to social, economic and environmental sustainability, ensuring food safety, public health and animal health and welfare.”

Vacancies

The Department seeks to employ Services Officers.

Note: The current vacant posts are located in Department headquarters located in Cavan and Limerick only. There is currently one immediate vacancy in both Cavan and Limerick.

Following an assessment process, candidates who achieve the qualifying standard will be placed on an Order of Merit from which appointments will be made. The posts will be offered to the candidate ranked first and, if refused, to the remaining candidates in sequence until each post is filled. While it is anticipated that two appointments will be made as a result of this competition, the Order of Merit will remain in place for a period of up to two years from the date of the first appointment, or until exhausted, and will be used to fill further vacancies, if any, that may arise during that period in these locations or others.

Temporary Vacancies

In the event that temporary vacancies for this post arise during the lifetime of the Order of Merit, the Department reserves the right to offer such temporary posts on the basis of the results of this competition. Candidates who accept such a temporary post retain their placing on the Order of Merit and the acceptance of such a temporary appointment in no way interferes with the normal process of appointing candidates to permanent posts that may arise.

Section 2: Job Specification

The duties of a Services Officer include, but are not restricted to, the following:

• Facilitate the smooth running of reception areas. The Services Officer will be required to carry out reception desk duties that involve dealing with queries and deliveries from colleagues and visitors, both in person and by telephone, in a prompt and courteous manner.

• Security duties – facilitate security of reception areas, entrance gates, car parks, doors, alarms, etc. Additional security as required.

• Collection, sorting and delivery of internal and external mail to include letters, parcels, newspapers, periodicals, etc.

• Key-holder duties including opening and locking of office in the morning and evening.*

• Van driving duties.**

• Available for out of hours call out (to cover alarms, veterinary office emergency, etc.).

• Other duties as assigned by line management from time to time as appropriate to the role.

A key-holding allowance may be payable where the full range of key-holding duties are undertaken.

** A van driving allowance may be payable where driving duties are undertaken.

Reporting Relationship

The Services Officer reports to the Head Service Officer and to any other person to whom authority has been delegated and/or assigned.

Section 3: Person Specification

Essential Requirements

Given the nature of the work, candidates must be fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position. In addition, candidates must:

• Have good communication skills, both oral and written.

• Be flexible and be capable of using own initiative.

• Have the ability to work well as part of a team.

• Be available to do overtime when required, including weekends.

Desirable Skills and Qualities

It is desirable that candidates:

• Be willing to take responsibility for tasks and complete work in a timely manner.

• Be thorough and conscientious.

• Hold a full clean driving licence.

• Preferably live within reasonable distance of office to facilitate emergency call outs.

Competencies

Applicants should have all the attributes required of a Services Officer and, in particular, they must demonstrate, by reference to specific examples from their career to date, that they possess or have the capacity to acquire the qualities, skills and knowledge required for the role of Services Officer as identified in the following competency framework.

Teamwork

• Shows respect for and builds good working relationships with colleagues and co-workers.

• Plays a full and constructive part in the team.

• Is supportive and helpful to colleagues.

Initiative and Problem Solving

• Comes up with practical solutions to work problems.

• Is willing to be flexible within the context of the job profile and finds ways to work around a problem.

Delivery of Results

• Approaches and carries out all work in a thorough and organised manner.

• Completes work on time consistently and to a high standard.

Customer Service and Communication Skills

• Listens to customers and is respectful, courteous and professional.

• Tries to calm difficult situations when dealing with people who are unhappy or angry.

• Communicates clearly and fluently.

Drive and Commitment

• Takes pride in a job well done, even if work is routine or less pleasant.

• Is interested in work and doing the job well.

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

• Develops and maintains the skills and expertise required to perform in the role effectively.

• Understands the importance of Health and Safety in the workplace and follows safety guidelines.

Candidates should note that admission to the competition does not imply that they meet the eligibility criteria. Therefore, candidates should satisfy themselves that they meet the eligibility criteria for this competition.

Section 4: Application and Selection Process

How to Apply

Application forms may be downloaded from:

https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/a6f25-dafm-upcoming-competitions/

All sections of the application form must be fully completed in Word document format and submitted by way of email to Competitions@agriculture.gov.ie

with the subject heading “Services Officer – Cavan and Limerick”.

Closing Date

Your application must be submitted no later than 12:00pm (noon) on Wednesday 04 March 2026.

All queries relating to this recruitment campaign should be directed to Competitions@agriculture.gov.ie

with the subject heading “Services Officer – Cavan and Limerick”.

Application Acknowledgements

All applications received will be acknowledged within 5 working days of the competition closing date. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within the 5 working days, please contact Competitions Section on 057 8680471 or by email at Competitions@agriculture.gov.ie

Applications will not be accepted after the closing time and date.

Selection Process

The methods used to select candidates for this post may include some or all of the following:

• Completion of online Assessment Questionnaire(s).

• Online and/or paper-based assessment test(s).

• Shortlisting of candidates on the basis of the information contained in their application.

• A competitive preliminary interview, either in person or by way of video.

• Presentation or other exercises.

• A final competitive interview, either in person or by way of video, which may include a presentation and/or additional assessment exercise(s).

• Any other tests or exercises that may be deemed appropriate.

Communication

Candidates should note that all communications relating to this competition from the Competitions and Recruitment Section, including the provision of results, will issue by way of email only. Candidates should ensure that a valid email address is provided on the application form and should check that email address on a regular basis.

Candidates should make themselves available on the date or dates specified by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and ensure that the contact details specified on the application form are correct.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will not be responsible for refunding any expenses incurred by candidates.

Note: Where a short-listing exercise based on the information supplied in the application form is applied, a board will examine application forms and assess them against pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position as outlined in this booklet. It is therefore in candidates’ interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of their experiences relevant to this post in the application form.

Candidates must produce satisfactory documentary evidence of all relevant qualifications and experience claimed by them, if required.

Section 5: Eligibility to Compete

Eligibility to compete and certain restrictions on eligibility

Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must be:

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

b) A citizen of the United Kingdom; or

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

d) A non-EEA citizen who has a Stamp 4 or a Stamp 5 permission.

Please note that a 50 TEU visa, which is a replacement for Stamp 4EUFAM after Brexit, is acceptable as a Stamp 4 equivalent.

To qualify, candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.

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