Staff Officer

Sligo County Council is the Authority responsible for Local Government in County Sligo. The corporate headquarters are located at County Hall, Riverside, Sligo, and there are three Municipal Districts: Borough District of Sligo (Sligo/Strandhill), Municipal District of Sligo (Sligo/Drumcliff), and Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry.

Sligo County Council has 18 elected members and approximately 480 staff. The Chief Executive of Sligo County Council is Mr. Martin Lydon and the Cathaoirleach is Cllr. Dara Mulvey.

Sligo County Council provides a diverse range of services across a large geographic area. Key service areas include Planning, Local Enterprise Office, Community and Economic Development, Transportation, Motor Taxation, Water, Environment, Emergency Services, Housing, Libraries, and the Arts. These operations are supported by internal services including ICT, Corporate, Finance, and Human Resource functions.

THE COMPETITION

Sligo County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Staff Officer (Grade V).

Following the interview process, Sligo County Council will form two panels for the post from which future relevant vacancies may be filled, subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The panels will remain in place for one year and may be extended for a further period of one year at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for inclusion on the following panels:

• Panel A (Confined to Local Authority Sector)
• Panel C (Confined to Sligo County Council)

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 C (Confined to Sligo County Council) will comprise successful applicants, in order of merit, from within Sligo County Council only.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSTCharacter

Each candidate shall be of good character.

Health

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

Citizenship

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

• A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
• A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
• A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
• A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA, UK, or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp 4 visa; or
• 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
• 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.

Education, Experience, etc.

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

• Be a serving employee in a Local Authority or Regional Assembly and have at least two years satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous post.

Car & Driving Licence

It may be necessary for the person employed to travel in the course of their official duties. On the latest date for receipt of application forms, applicants shall hold a full Class B driving licence and shall drive a car in the course of their duties. For this purpose, they must maintain a car to the satisfaction of the Council.

Desirable Skills & Experience

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

• 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 supervising staff and/or projects/work programmes.
• Experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience preparing reports and correspondence.
• Ability to build, manage and foster partnerships and relationships across a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Flexibility and availability to work outside normal office hours as required.
• Strong resource management skills.
• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICEThe Post

The post is Staff Officer (Grade V) and is a pensionable whole-time position based on a 35-hour, 5-day working week.

Vacancies at this grade will be filled from the panels formed from this competition in line with the agreed sequencing set out in the Guidance for the Procedures for the Recruitment to Clerical Administrative Grades IV to Grade VII in the Local Authority Sector.

Duties

The duties of the employment are to provide services to:

• Sligo County Council under the control of the Chief Executive or nominee; and
• Any other Local Authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the Local Authority.

Under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or another designated employee, the post holder will provide appropriate management, administrative, executive, supervisory, advisory and ancillary services as required. The role also includes exercising any powers, functions and duties delegated by the Chief Executive, including servicing committees established by the Local Authority or associated bodies.

The holder of the post will, if required, act for an employee of a higher grade where qualified to do so.

Key duties and responsibilities include:

• Supervising a work area or section within the Council, including supervision of a team.
• Supporting the line manager to ensure departmental work programmes are implemented in line with the Council's operational plan.
• Developing and maintaining productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Providing information and assistance relating to the area of work.
• Compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations and correspondence.
• Representing the section or department on committees or at meetings and providing progress reports.
• Supporting the delivery of projects.
• Assisting with the day-to-day management of resources within the section or team.
• Identifying opportunities to improve service delivery.
• Supporting and implementing change management initiatives.
• Supervising employees, assigning tasks, scheduling and prioritising work, and monitoring progress.
• Supporting team members, addressing day-to-day issues, and ensuring compliance with Council policies and procedures.
• Participating in corporate activities appropriate to the grade.
• Complying with Health and Safety legislation, policies, procedures and safe systems of work.
• Deputising for the line manager or equivalent when required.
• Undertaking any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as assigned from time to time.

Salary

The salary shall be fully inclusive and will be determined from time to time.

Holders of the office shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by law to perform.

Current Salary Scale (effective 1 June 2026):

€52,761 – €54,337 – €55,946 – €57,589 – €59,244 – LSI 1 €61,173 – LSI 2 €63,109

Salary for the post shall be in accordance with existing practice as set out in relevant circulars.

Superannuation

• Persons liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will contribute 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration.
• Persons liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will contribute 5% of pensionable remuneration.
• All pensionable employees will contribute 1.5% of pensionable remuneration under the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme.
• Persons covered by the Single Public Sector Pension Scheme will contribute 3% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration.

Probation

The probationary period is six months commencing on the first day of service. The Chief Executive may extend this period at their discretion. Appointment becomes permanent only where service is certified as satisfactory.

Retirement Age

• New entrants, as defined under the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, have no compulsory retirement age.
• Appointees entering the Single Public Service Pension Scheme have a compulsory retirement age of 70.
• Appointees covered under the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018 also have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

Residence

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

Method of Selection

Selection will be by competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of Sligo County Council.

Interviews will be conducted in person. The Council will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by candidates attending interview.

A panel will be formed of the most successful candidates. Those placed on the panel who satisfy the Council that they possess the required qualifications and are otherwise suitable may be appointed as vacancies arise during the life of the panel.

The panel will remain in place for one year from the date of formation unless extended by the Chief Executive.

Shortlisting

Where application numbers are high, Sligo County Council may shortlist candidates before interview.

Shortlisting may be based on:

• Information provided on the application form, including essential and desirable criteria, relevant experience and competency questions.
• A preliminary interview.
• Appropriate testing (e.g. aptitude test).
• Any combination of the above.

Criteria used for shortlisting may include:

• Education.
• Relevant work experience (range and depth).
• Competencies demonstrated.
• Attention to detail.

Garda Vetting & References

The successful candidate may be subject to Garda Vetting in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016, where appropriate.

Appointment will also be subject to satisfactory references.

Medical Examination

Before appointment, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the Local Authority.

Period of Acceptance of Offer

Successful candidates will be required to take up appointment within one month of the offer, or within such longer period as the Local Authority may determine at its discretion.

Normal Working Hours

Normal working hours are 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Monday to Friday, with a minimum 30-minute lunch break.

The successful candidate may be required to work outside normal office hours, including weekends, as necessary.

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 30 days per annum, plus public holidays in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

Sick Leave

Sick leave is in accordance with Sligo County Council's current Sick Leave Scheme and Attendance Management Policy and Procedure, as amended by the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations 2014 and any subsequent regulations.

Travel & Subsistence Arrangements

Travel and subsistence expenses at the approved rates shall be paid for authorised travel.

Training

Successful candidates will be required to undertake any training considered relevant by Sligo County Council.

Data Protection

Sligo County Council complies with Data Protection legislation, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR.

Data Protection (GDPR) (sligococo.ie)