Staff Officer

The Role of the Staff Officer

The Staff Officer is a frontline supervisory position in the Council with responsibility for managing the performance of a section or function within a Department. He/she will work as part of a multidisciplinary team within the Council, assisting with the implementation of work programmes to achieve goals, targets and standards set out in Departmental and Team Development Plans. A Staff Officer is expected to use initiative, work to a high standard and have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

The ideal candidate shall have:

·       Knowledge of the structure and functions of local government, of current local government issues and of the key influencers of local government;

·       An understanding of the role of Staff Officer;

·       An understanding of the representational role of the elected members and the need to work with them to deliver quality services and implement policy decisions;

·       An ability to supervise a team effectively to achieve a common goal, ensuring strong governance and ethics standards are adhered to and maintained;

·       An ability to motivate and encourage staff under his/her control to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS);

·       A career record that demonstrates an ability to supervise staff;

·       Relevant administrative experience and input to delivery of organisational objectives;

·       Proven management report writing and analysis skills;

·       An ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines in the delivery of key operational objectives

The ideal candidate will also:

·       Be self motivated with ability to work on his/her own initiative;

·       Have strong interpersonal communication skills and be capable of representing the Council in a professional and credible manner with all stakeholders;

·       Have an awareness of Health & Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.

Post of Staff Officer

Louth County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Louth County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post, from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This panel will exist for 12 months and may only be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Essential Criteria

Open Panel – Panel B

Character

Each candidate shall 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, Experience

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

1.     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

2.     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

3.     Have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination, or

4.     Hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard.

Local Authority Sector/Confined - Panel A & C

(a) 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.

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

Candidates will have to demonstrate from their application form to the satisfaction of a short-listing board that they possess sufficient skills and experience in the competencies listed below in order to be called for interview.

1.     Understanding Purpose & Change

2.     Delivering Results

3.     Performance through People

Candidates short-listed for interview will then be assessed at the interview stage under the three competencies listed above in addition toLocal Government Knowledge and Understanding.

Understanding Purpose & Change

·       Understands the Council’s purpose, goals and priorities.

·       Shows commitment to these goals and ensures that the team understands how their work contributes to meeting the Council’s objectives.

·       Understands the Role of the Elected Council and the Representational Role of the Elected Members

·       Understands and adheres to the Code of Conduct for all employees and complies with all Council rules, regulations and procedures.

·       Ensures that there is full understanding of and compliance with all Council rules, regulations and procedures for employees within designated area of responsibility.

·       Supports diversity.

·       Understands and supports Workplace Partnership.

·       Represents the Council positively when dealing with the public or other agencies.

·       Creates a positive image of the Council both within the team and through interaction with the public and other stakeholders.

·       Understands the need for change and gets this across persuasively to others.

·       Makes a positive case for change and elicits commitment from others.

·       Implements change in an orderly and determined manner.

·       Co-operates fully in implementing safe systems of work in accordance with the Corporate Safety Statement and relevant Ancillary Safety Statement for their area of work.

Delivering Results

·       Evaluates issues and situations in a logical and objective manner in order to arrive at effective solutions.

·       Makes decisions in a timely, clear and well-informed way.

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

·       Helps establish high quality service and customer care standards.

·       Allocates 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.

·       Takes initiatives to control and reduce the cost of activities and minimise waste in the services provided.

·       Abides by the laws, regulations and policies and procedures affecting your employment and the discharge of your duties.

·       Sets and implements high standards of service delivery in accordance with the established parameters of the operational plans:

·       Closely monitors quality of activities and takes initiatives to improve work processes over time.

Performance through people

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

·       Engages with individual staff and the team in a motivational and supportive way.

·       Leads and develops the team and its members to achieve corporate objectives through the effective management of performance, using the PMDS process

·       Builds and maintains positive working relationships and constructively addresses conflict or employee dissatisfaction.

·       Recognises the value of and requirement to communicate effectively.

·       Have good written and verbal skills.

·       Have good interpersonal skills.

Local Government Knowledge and Understanding

·       Demonstrates knowledge of the structure and functions of local government.

·       Demonstrates knowledge of current local government issues and advocates practical approaches to addressing them.

·       Demonstrates a clear and realistic view of future trends and strategic direction of local government.

·       Demonstrates an understanding of the role of a Staff Officer in this context.

Duties

The duties of the office are to give to the local authority under the direction and supervision of its appropriate officer such services of an executive, supervisory or advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers and duties and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority when required and such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any other local authority.

The duties shall include but are not limited to:

·       Providing high level administrative support based on a thorough understanding of the overall workings and policy of a section.

·       Management of Staff.

·       Representing the Council at a variety of meetings.

·       Budget preparation and management of same.

·       Attending inter-departmental meetings on behalf of the section to which you are assigned.

·       Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with external agencies as appropriate to the activities of the section.

·       Continuously monitoring existing procedures to ensure they comply with best practice and the development of new/improved procedures where appropriate.

·       Policy formation

·       Attending court as a witness for the Council as required.

·       Working on inter-departmental teams concerned with introducing organisational change.

·       To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and carried out under general guidance.

Salary

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale for the position of the Staff Officer is: Salary €51,210 – €61,252 gross per annum.

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL.02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011; will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point.

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

Probation

Where a person, who is not already a permanent officer of Louth County Council, is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

·       There will be a probationary period of 9 months from date of employment,

·       The Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend this period,

·       You shall cease to hold office at end of the period of probation unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that your service is satisfactory.

Location of post

Louth County Council reserves the right to assign the post holder to any council premises, now or in the future subject to reasonable notice. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

Superannuation

A.     Officers joining the Public Service after the 1st January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. A Class rate of PRSI contribution will apply. A rate of 3% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme.

OR

B.     Officers who became pensionable officers of the Public Service prior to 1st January 2013 and who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of the net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). You will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% of your pensionable remuneration to the Spouses & Children’s Pension Scheme.

OR

C.     Officers who become pensionable officers of a Public Service prior to 5th April 1995 and who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. If an option to join a dependent scheme was made you will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% to a Dependents Pension Scheme.

Retirement

Retirement is dependent on the superannuation scheme you become a member of and details will be made available to you upon appointment.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it may be necessary for the successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo at his/her expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

Residence

The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance, thereof.

References

Applicants are required to advise the names of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related (at least one of the referees should be an existing or former employer).

In advance of any offer of employment, Louth County Council reserves the right to seek both written and verbal references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.

Hours of work

The working hours at present provide for a five-day, thirty-five hour working week. A flexible working hours’ system is in operation and may be availed of subject to the terms and conditions of the Flexitime Policy.

Sick Leave

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement for the position will be 30 days per annum. Louth County Council’s leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. 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, 1977 (as amended).

Start date

The successful candidate will commence on direction from Directors of Service and/or Chief Executive. Should they fail to take up the appointment on direction, the council at its discretion may not appoint them.