Staff Officer

The Competition The Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position Staff Officer (Grade V). Recruitment arrangements to this grade will now be on the following basis: The Council will form three separate panels of suitably qualified candidates to meet the requirements agreed nationally of the ratio of posts to be confined to the local government sector, open and those confined to Donegal County Council staff. The order of candidates placed on each of the three panels is determined by where they were placed on the overall Order of Merit List.

Panel A (Confined to Local Authority Sector) will comprise of successful applicants in order of merit from within the Local Authority Sector only i.e. candidates serving in any local authority or Regional Assembly (where applicable) for a minimum period of two years on the closing date of application. Panel B (Open) will comprise of all successful applicants in order of merit and may include candidates serving in a local authority, regional assembly and external applicants. Panel C (Confined to the recruiting local authority) will comprise of all successful applicants in order of merit from within the recruiting Local Authority i.e. candidates serving in Donegal County Council, for a minimum period of two years on the closing date of application. For the purposes of the above, the sector Panel A is comprehended to include all Local Authorities and the three Regional Assemblies only. Staff who are not existing employees of local authorities or regional assemblies are not eligible to apply for competitions confined to the sector (Panel A) or to the local authority (Panel C).

1. The Position Staff Officers work in various sections of of the organisation, the duties will vary depending on assignment. Post holders will be expected to constantly contribute towards improving the overall effectiveness of the section to which they are assigned. The person appointed will under the direction and control of the Senior Staff Officer/Administrative Officer or other officer designated by the Chief Executive perform a range of duties and responsibilities. 2. Roles Duties & Responsibilities A non-exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities of the Staff Officer are set out below: • Responsibility for the management and supervision of staff as appropriate, and to ensure training and development of such staff; • Assign and monitor the work programme for the section/department as appropriate; • To provide administrative support and reporting of progress, based on a thorough knowledge and understanding of the workings of the section, as appropriate; • To develop and maintain effective working relationships (internally & externally); and • To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required from time to time. A satisfactory competence in the Irish language is deemed desirable and beneficial in relation to any vacancy which may arise within the Glenties Municipal District. An assessment of this competence may be carried out as part of the recruitment and selection process.

3. Qualifications & Requirement of the Post The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for Staff Officer will be as set out below: (a) Character: Candidates shall be of good character. (b) 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. (c) Education, Training, Experience etc. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications: 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,

Confined Competition (Panels A and C as appropriate) (iv) be a serving employee of a local authority or a regional assembly and have at least two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous post. (d) Core Competencies i. Planning & Organisational skills. ➢ Ability to manage resources ➢ Ability to analyse and identify key issues/demands ➢ Ability to work under pressure in a cross functional environment and to tight timelines. ii. Initiative and delivery of results, e.g. ➢ Track record of achievements. ➢ Problem solving & resolution. ➢ High level of attention to detail. ➢ Compliance with various policies / standards. ➢ Judgement and ability to work autonomously. iii. Interpersonal skills and communicating effectively, e.g. ➢ Effective verbal and written communication skills. ➢ Ability to present ideas effectively and to present to groups. ➢ Ability to write fluently and to prepare clearly structured written reports. iv. Working with others and teamwork, e.g. ➢ To maintain effective working relationships (internally & externally). ➢ To work as part of a team. ➢ To lead, motivate and manage staff, and build effective teams. ➢ Customer focus. v. Personal Effectiveness ➢ Knowledge of Local Government & the Council generally. ➢ Knowledge and awareness of key topical and priority issues. ➢ Understanding of political reality / context of issues. ➢ Understanding compliance standards, and policies, procedures, legislation ➢ Maintain a positive, constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role ➢ Personal Motivation – Strives to perform at a higher level 4. Particulars of the Post (a) General Donegal County Council proposes to create three panels (as outlined above) of qualified candidates for the position of Staff Officer from which it will fill any vacancy that may arise. (b) 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. (c) Remuneration The current annual pay-scale is €51,210 minimum to max LSI2 €61,252. (as per Circular EL 03/2025). Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. New entrants will commence on the minimum point of the scale. (d) Base The base for the post of Staff Officer shall be determined by the Council and will depend on the particular area and service to which the post holder is assigned. The role of Staff Officer may involve some travel, with some trips involving overnight stays and associated costs covered by the appropriate allowances. (e) Residence Holders of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof. (f) Working Hours / Annual Leave The normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time. Annual leave allowance will be in accordance with Circular LG(P) 07/2011. Maximum 30 days for all applicants. (g) Requirement to Drive

Candidates shall be required: (a) to possess a full current category B Driving Licence. (b) to have their own vehicle available for use while performing their duties and the associated costs will be covered by the appropriate allowances (h) Citizenship Requirements Eligible candidates must be, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms; (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. (i) Conflicts of Interest The post holder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of his duties as a local authority employee. (j) Garda Vetting Candidates for the post of Staff Officer are subject to Garda Vetting. Please note all candidates must attain a satisfactory Garda Vetting Disclosure prior to appointment, otherwise the offer of employment will be withdrawn. In the event where a Garda Vetting Disclosure indicates that there is a case pending, then the appointment cannot proceed at that time and the offer of employment will be withdrawn. The candidate will however retain their position on the panel and will be considered for the next vacancy should same arise within the lifetime of the panel.