Staff Officer

The Candidate

Candidates should demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that they:

• Managing people

• Customer service

• Planning and prioritisation of workloads

• Dealing effectively with conflicting demands

• Working under pressure to tight deadlines

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Stakeholder networking and engagement

• Financial management

• Problem solving and decision making

• Project management

• Administration and report writing

• Operation of ICT systems and standard office software packages

• Working effectively as part of a team

• Adapting to change

• Acting on own initiative

• Data Protection

• Health & Safety Management

The ideal candidate will also:

• Have excellent knowledge and understanding of the structures and functions of local government, of current local government issues, challenges and priorities.

• Have an in-depth understanding of the role of Staff Officer.

• A sound understanding of the representational role of the elected members and the need to work in partnership to deliver quality services and implement policy decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities

The following is a non-exhaustive list of key duties and responsibilities which may be assigned to a Staff Officer:

• To be responsible for the supervision of a work area or section within the Council, including supervision of a team.

• To support the line manager to ensure section or department work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council’s operational plan, including supervising the work of the team.

• To develop and maintain productive working relationships.

• To provide information and assistance relating to their area of work as required.

• To compile, prepare and present reports, presentations, and correspondence as necessary.

• To represent their section or department on committees or at meetings and give progress reports as required.

• To provide support and assistance in the delivery of projects as required.

• To be involved in the day to day management of resources within their section or team.

• To identify opportunities for improvements in service delivery within their section or team.

• To support and implement change management initiatives within their section or team.

• To supervise employees in supporting roles, including assigning tasks and duties, scheduling and prioritising work and monitoring and reporting on progress.

• To provide support to team members and employees, handling day to day issues, ensuring compliance with all council policies and procedures.

• To participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade.

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

• To deputise for the line manager or equivalent as required.

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

Notwithstanding the requirements of the post, successful applicants may be assigned to any service area/role within the Local Authority at an analogous level by the Chief Executive at any time.

Panel Formation

Recruitment arrangements to this grade will now be on the following basis:

A. 50% confined to employees of the sector

B. 30% open

C. 20% confined to employees of Kildare County Council

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 Kildare 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 a local authority or Regional Assembly (where applicable).

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 Kildare County Council) will comprise of all successful applicants in order of merit from within the recruiting Local Authority i.e. candidates serving in Kildare County Council.

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).

Qualifications

Character:

Each candidate must be of good character.

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.

Education, Training and Experience etc.:

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

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 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.

And

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

CONFINED COMPETITION (PANEL A)

(v)

a) be a serving employee of 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.

b) have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organization and control of staff.

CONFINED COMPETITION (PANEL C)

(v)

a) be a serving employee of Kildare County Council and have not less than two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous post.

b) have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organization and control of staff.

Please supply copies of any certificates, diplomas or degrees you may have with the application form.

Competencies for the post of Staff Officer

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 to these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by the candidates:

Management and Change

• Can translate the Directorate/Department objectives into operational plans for their area and effectively monitor progress.

• Has a clear understanding of the political reality and operating environment of the Local Authority.

• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain positive and beneficial relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including citizens, elected members and staff.

• Create opportunities for new ways of working, encourages creativity and innovation in employees and overcomes resistance to change.

Performance through People

• Demonstrates the ability to lead, motivate and engage staff and stakeholders to achieve quality results.

• Can manage the role, performance and contribution of each staff member for which they are responsible.

• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain positive and beneficial relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including citizens, elected members and staff.

• Has excellent interpersonal, presentation and communications skills.

• Has a creative and collaborative approach to problem solving and working with others to reach a solution.

Delivering Results

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

• Takes responsibility for the delivery of results and for bringing projects and tasks to completion in their area of operation.

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

• Establishes high quality service and customer care standards.

Personal Effectiveness

• Remains calm under pressure and has the ability to manage the delivery of several tasks/projects concurrently.

• Manages their time effectively, focusing on essential tasks and responsibilities.

• Is positive and enthusiastic about the role and is motivated in the face of difficulties and obstacles.

• Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to exceed goals in service delivery.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government including service requirements.

• Knowledge of current local government issues.

• Understanding of the role of a Staff Officer.

• Understanding key challenges facing the local government sector and Kildare County Council.

• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

Particulars of Employment

The Post

The post is permanent (i.e., 35 hours per week).

Location

The successful applicant may be based in Áras Chill Dara, or other council facilities within the county.

Kildare County Council reserves the right to assign you to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Commencement

Kildare County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Kildare County Council shall not appoint them.

Working Hours (35 Hour Week)

Working Hours

The hours of work are 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays (rotas operate for lunchtime opening). Kildare County Council also has a flexi time system in operation, details of which are available from the Human Resources Section.

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

You may be required to work overtime on various occasions.

All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Kildare County Council requires employees to record their hours using a Clocking system.

Reporting Arrangements

Staff Officers report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Kildare County Council as the Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose.

A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Probationary Period of Employment

Where a person is permanently appointed to Kildare 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 twelve months, but the Chief Executive may, at their 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) the period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks’ notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts;

e) there will be assessments during the probationary period.

Remuneration

€52,239 per annum to €58,657 per annum (maximum)

€60,567 per annum (LSI 1) (after 3 years satisfactory service at maximum)

€62,484 per annum (LSI 2) (after 6 years satisfactory service at maximum)

On appointment successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employees nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g., P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I.

Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

Superannuation & Retirement

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of the County Council will be required in respect of their Superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the appropriate rate.

The terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 as amended or the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 or the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme & Other Provisions) Act 2012 will apply as appropriate on appointment.

Retirement age for employees is dependent on their relevant contract of employment, with due consideration being given to the rules of the Superannuation Scheme to which they belong.

• For appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 65 years of age.

• The minimum retirement age for “new entrants” to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age.

• Effective from 1st January 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks:

Retirement age is set, initially, at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the State Pension Contributory (SPC) age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028.

Compulsory retirement age will be 70.

Annual Leave

Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and the nationally agreed annual leave scheme for the sector. The annual leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. The current leave entitlement for this post is 30 days.

The Chief Executive of Kildare County Council retains autonomy regarding office closures (e.g., Christmas Office Closure), any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement. Proposed office closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year.

Residence

The person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to the Local Authority, as approved by the Chief Executive.

Outside Employment

The position is whole-time, and the officer may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.