Staff Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Staff Officers are middle managers responsible for the delivery of particular services to the public across all Departments in the Local Authority.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the position shall be such as may be assigned to the 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:

• Provision of administrative services with a high level of skills/expertise in a broad range of Administrative areas
• Management of staff
• Making decisions in relation to service delivery on a daily basis
• Representing the City Council at a variety of meetings
• Preparation of reports for Council and other stakeholders
• Budget preparation and management of same
• Policy formulation.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following knowledge, experience and skills:

·       Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

·       Experience of budget preparation and management.

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

·       Knowledge of current local government issues.

·       Understanding of the role of a Staff Officer.

·       Relevant administrative experience.

·       Experience of supervising staff.

·       Experience of working as part of a team.

·       Experience of preparing reports and correspondence.

·       Strong resource management skills.

·       Comprehensive knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems

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.

Management and Change

·       Understand the need for change and get this across persuasively to others.

·       Make a positive case for change and elicit commitment from others.

·       Implement change in an orderly and determined manner

Delivering Results

·       Translate the business/team plan objectives into clear priorities and actions for their area of operation.

·       Help establish high quality service and customer care standards.

·       Convert operational objectives into specific work plans, programme activities and schedules, taking into account the broader operation plan when setting priorities.

·       Allocate resources (staff and equipment) across jobs to ensure that priorities are met and that work is executed in the most efficient manner possible to deliver quality work and services.

Performance Through People

·       Lead the team/service area in a manner that provides clarity of purpose and a focus on delivery.

·       Show visible commitment to the purpose, mission and vision of the organisation.

·       Provide a positive sense of purpose for the team in terms of its contribution to the organisation’s objectives.

·       Develop the team and its members to achieve corporate objectives through the effective management of performance.

·       Have effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

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 Staff Officer in this context.

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:

€51,722 - €61,865 per year

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. €51,722

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.

Widows & Orphans/ Spouses & Children’s Scheme

All persons who become pensionable officers of a local Authority are required, in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme, 1986, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of State Pension contributory) in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

New Entrants From 1st January 2013 – Single Public Services Pension Scheme

FOR NEW ENTRANTS recruited on or after 1st January, 2013 as well as former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. The Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 applies to your employment. Members of this Scheme are required in respect of superannuation to contribute at the rate of 3% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of State Pension contributory) and you are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution.

Retirement Age:

Retirement age will be determined on previous Public Sector Service (if any) and will be advised on appointment.

Former Public Service Employees

Eligibility to compete may be affected where applicants were formerly employed by the Irish Public Service and previously availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme including:

·       Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

·       Department of Health and Children Circular (7/2010)

·       Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants

Applicants should ensure that they are not precluded from re-engagement in the Irish Public Service under the terms of such Schemes.  This is a non-exhaustive list and any queries should be directed to the applicant’s former Irish Public Service Employer in the first instance. 

Declaration

Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of a public service scheme of incentivised early retirement and/or the collective agreement outlined above. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Public Service employment and/or where they have received a payment-in-lieu in respect of service in any Public Service employment.

Offer of Appointment

Galway City Council shall require persons to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month from the date on which the offer is made. If they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, the Council shall not appoint them.

All appointments are subject to receipt of satisfactory references and candidates may be required to produce documentary evidence of qualifications or experience claimed in their applications.