Staff Officer

The Staff Officer is the first level of line management within the local authority administrative grades. A Staff Officer has a supervisory role in the day-to-day operations and management of a work area, section or team. The Staff Officer also works as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team within one of the local authority Directorates, to provide administrative support and quality customer service across the broad range of local authority front line and internal services. Front line services include social housing; transportation infrastructure; environmental protection; water, wastewater, recreation, amenity and cultural services such as the arts and public library service. Internal services include corporate, finance, IT and human resource functions. Local Authorities also play a key role in supporting economic development and enterprise promotion at local level.

The Staff Officer is also charged with implementing work programmes to achieve goals, targets and standards as set out in the Departmental and Team Development Plans, Corporate Plan and Annual Service Delivery Plan.

The Staff Officer will generally work under the direction and management of the Senior Staff Officer, Administrative Officer or Senior Executive Officer and may from time to time, be required to deputise for a more senior grade. The successful candidate will therefore require excellent administrative, communications and people management skills as the role entails assuming supervisory and budgetary responsibility for a particular division or function of the local authority. The ideal candidate will therefore be a highly motivated person, with a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services willing to take on a challenge.

The Staff Officer is expected to carry out their duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making at all times.

The Programme for Government acknowledges the importance of the Irish language as the first language of the State, as a living language, and as a vital component of the heritage of our island. Local Authority Staff with Irish language skills are critical to the successful implementation of Ireland’s 20-year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 – 2030 and ensuring that Local Authorities can serve Irish speakers and our Irish speaking customers. The primary objective of the Official Languages Acts 2003 and the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 2021 is to ensure the improved provision of public services through the Irish language and Offaly County Council is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Acts.

The objectives of the Acts are to:

• Increase and improve the quantity and quality of services provided for the public through Irish.

• Increase the total number of Irish language speakers in the public service.

• To promote the use of the Irish language for official purposes.

The person allocated to this role will be a member of the Council’s Communications team in Corporate Services. In addition to the duties outlined for the role of Staff Officer (with ILO responsibilities), the person appointed will also be required to support the work of the Communications Officer and staff management as assigned by the line manager.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST

Candidates are required to demonstrate the following knowledge, understanding & experience relevant to the post:

• Must have a good standard of education. A relevant third level degree is desirable but not essential.

• Understanding of the role of a Staff Officer

• Knowledge of local authority services, key stakeholders and relationships

• Understanding of local government structures and its democratic role and mandate

• Knowledge of current local government issues & key policies guiding the local government sector

• Public service values

• Possess relevant experience in administration, staff supervision and team working preferably within a customer service environment

• Must have proficient competency in the use of the Irish Language in carrying out day to day duties.

• Must have a firm commitment to the promotion of the Irish Language.

• Excellent communication skills, both in Irish and English, along with proven organisational ability.

• A minimum of one year experience working in a Government body, voluntary organisation or other relevant body in the promotion and development of the Irish language or equivalent relevant experience would be desirable.

• Knowledge and understanding of the Official Languages Act, 2003 and Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 2021 is essential.

Candidates must also be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient competence in the following key skills which are essential for the role:

• Communications and interpersonal

• Working effectively as part of a team

• Resource management

• Organisational and time management

• Problem solving

• Project management

• Administration and report writing

• Operation of ICT systems and standard office software packages

• Customer service

• Dealing effectively with conflicting demands

• Working under pressure to tight deadlines

• Adapting to change

• Acting on own initiative

• Ability to communicate effectively across different levels within an organisation

• Maintaining confidentiality

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

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

Management & 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, considering 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.

Personal Effectiveness

• Taking initiative and be open to taking on new challenges or responsibility

• Resilience and Personal Well-Being

• Commitment to integrity & Public Service Values

• Personal Motivation

• Political awareness

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Details of Key Duties and Responsibilities are outlined under “Particulars of Office”

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education, Training, Experience, etc.

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

(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) Proficient competency in the use of the Irish Language in carrying out day to day duties

And

(v) Excellent communication skills, both in Irish and English, along with proven organisational ability.

And

(vi) A minimum of one year experience working in a Government body, voluntary organisation or other relevant body in the promotion and development of the Irish language or equivalent relevant experience.

And

(vii) Knowledge of the Official Languages Act, 2003 and the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 2021 in a local government context.

* Copies of qualifications must be attached to support this application. Failure to provide qualifications will deem this application invalid.

2. Citizenship

Candidates for any of the above panels must, by the date of any job offer, be:

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.

3. Driving Licence

The Holder of the Post of shall hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles free from endorsement/disqualification. When required to do so, holders of office shall drive a motor vehicle in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a vehicle to the satisfaction of the local authority.

4. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

5. 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.

* 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.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

1. The Post:

The post is permanent, whole-time and pensionable. A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a period of time at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel will be used to fill appropriate positions that may arise for its duration. Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

2. Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay.

The current salary scale applicable to the post is €52,761 - €63,109 LSI 2

3. Duties:

The duties of the post are to give to the local authority, and

a) such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001 and 2014, is Chief Executive, and

b) to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority, or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and supervision of the Chief Executive or such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative or management nature as may be required by any local authority or body herein before mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him/her by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The post holder will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level. The post holder may be required to work outside his/her normal job description from time to time.

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require:

• Develop and promote the use of the Irish language as required under the Official Languages Act, 2003 and the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 2021 throughout Offaly County Council.

• Ensure compliance with the requirements of the Official Languages Act, 2003 and the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021.

• Maintain relations and co-operate with voluntary organisations and public bodies in relation to the Irish language including An Coimisinéir Teanga and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

• Provide media, translation and communication services for the organisation and staff including developing press releases and social media content.

• Assist staff in developing competency in the Irish language including delivering/organising Irish language classes and other activities (e.g. training /events).

• Support the work programme of the Corporate Services Unit, which will include report writing, development of policy, assistance in organising events, support for Elected Members and the Management Team of Offaly County Council.

• Support and enhance the work of the Offaly County Council Customer Services Unit.

• Supervision of staff as necessary.

• Such other duties as may be directed by the Director of Services or nominee.

4. Work Base:

Offaly County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. 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.

5. Working Hours:

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty-five hours working week, hours may vary from time to time.

The working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council. The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary. No additional remuneration will be paid in respect of such activities.

The provisions of Offaly County Council’s Time and Attendance Policy is applicable to this grade at the current time. A flexible working hours system is in operation subject to the terms and conditions of the Time and Attendance Policy.

6. Annual Leave:

The current annual leave entitlement is 30 days. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (as amended)

7. Sick Leave:

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

8. Probation:

Appointees will be on probation for the first year of employment. The terms of the Offaly County Council Probation Policy will apply.