Staff Officer

THE COMPETITION

Roscommon County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition.

Roscommon County Council will, following the interview process, form 3 panels for the post of Staff Officer (Grade V) from which future relevant vacancies may be filled, subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

These panels will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 12 months.

Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for the following panel(s):

Panel Formation

A. 50% confined to employees of the sector. B. 30% open. C. 20% confined to employees of Roscommon County Council and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

Panel A (Confined to the Local Authority Sector) will comprise 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 all successful applicants in order of merit and may include candidates serving in a Local Authority, Regional Assembly, and external candidates.

Panel C (Confined to Roscommon County Council and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly) will comprise successful applicants, in order of merit, from within Roscommon County Council and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly only.

The advertising process for filling posts according to these procedures is on the basis of:

• Advertising one competition.
• Forming three separate panels to meet the requirements of the ratio of posts to be confined to the local government sector, open competition, and confined to the local authority as indicated above.

Shortlisting

Candidates may be shortlisted for interview on the basis of information supplied in their application. Where it is considered that it would be reasonable not to admit all applicants to the interview, by reason of the number of applications received and the standard of knowledge, training, or experience in general of the candidates, only persons likely to attain at the interview a standard sufficient for selection and recommendation for appointment shall be called for interview.

QUALIFICATIONSPanel B1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. Education, Experience, Etc.

Candidates shall:

(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
• 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
• Economics

Or

(ii) Have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination.

Or

(iii) Hold a third-level qualification of at least degree standard.

Panel A & C

Candidates shall 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.

4. Citizenship

Candidates 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, 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, the UK, or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

POST OF STAFF OFFICERThe Role

The Staff Officer is a supervisory position within the Council and is assigned responsibility for the administration and management of a work area, section, or team. The Staff Officer works as part of a team, assisting with the implementation of work programmes to achieve goals and standards set out in Departmental and Team Plans. The post holder has a supervisory role in the day-to-day operations of a work area or as a team leader. The Staff Officer is expected to carry out their duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision-making.

Key Duties

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

• Be responsible for the supervision of a work area or section within the Council, including supervision of a team.
• 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.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships.
• Provide information and assistance relating to their area of work as required.
• Compile, prepare, and present reports, presentations, and correspondence as necessary.
• Represent their section or department on committees or at meetings and give progress reports as required.
• Provide support and assistance in the delivery of projects as required.
• Be involved in the day-to-day management of resources within their section or team.
• Identify opportunities for improvements in service delivery within their section or team.
• Support and implement change management initiatives within their section or team.
• Supervise employees in supporting roles, including assigning tasks and duties, scheduling and prioritising work, and monitoring and reporting on progress.
• Provide support to team members and employees, handling day-to-day issues, and ensuring compliance with all Council policies and procedures.
• Participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade.
• Comply with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures, and safe systems of work.
• Deputise for the line manager or equivalent as required.
• 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.

The Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate

• 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.
• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

PARTICULARS1. The Post

The post is whole-time and pensionable. Panels will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panels.

2. Probation

Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a Local Authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such position on probation.

(b) Such period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may, at his or her discretion, extend such period.

(c) Such persons shall cease to hold such position at the end of the period of probation unless, during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

3. Salary

€52,761 - €63,109 per annum

Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the post 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 post or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

In accordance with EL02/2011, persons who are not serving Local Authority employees must be placed on the minimum of the scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.

4. Garda Vetting/Child Safeguarding

Successful candidates may be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures and will be required to complete Appendix V of the County Council's Child Protection Policy.

5. Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo at their 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 candidates.

6. Residence

Roscommon County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises, or district 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.