Work Placement Officer x3

The Role

The Careers and Employability Service supports students & graduates in developing key skills required when entering the jobs market, such as CV Preparation and Interview Techniques. The Careers and Employability Service also works with students and employers to enhance student learning and make meaningful linkages with all professional fields. It contributes to enhancing the employability of TUS students and graduates by delivering careers and employability-related advice and guidance. The Work Placement Officer will play a crucial role in enhancing and supporting the delivery of this service. They will combine excellent administrative and organisational skills with the communication and interpersonal skills required to successfully and appropriately represent TUS with industry partners. They will have responsibility for a wide range of duties relating to the functions of the Careers and Employability Service and will be involved in various activities relevant to work placement, from managing a portfolio of placement programmes to developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with employers and academics. We work in partnership with academic and Professional Services colleagues, to develop existing and new placement and work-based learning opportunities to enhance student employability.

Qualifications/Experience At the date of closing, candidates must: • have the requisite knowledge, skills, and competencies to carry out the role • be capable and competent of fulfilling the role to a high standard • have obtained at least Grade D3 or H6/06 in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (higher, ordinary, applied, or vocational programmes) or equivalent or have passed an examination at the appropriate level within the QQI qualifications framework which can be assessed as being of a comparable to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent or higher or have appropriate relevant experience which encompasses equivalent skills and expertise.

Desirable: • Proficiency in using MS Office software including innovative software for presentations to a range of audiences (students, employers etc.). • Detail-oriented, results-focused, competent problem solver with good research and analytical skills e.g., to assess sector specific employment information, student destination statistics and analyse service usage data. • Ability to initiate, plan and organise a range of projects, events and activities efficiently against organisational goals. • Ability to make decisions about work priorities on a day-to-day basis. • Ability to work both independently and as a team player and enjoy working in an environment that requires continuous learning. • The ability to work with sensitive, personal data, handle confidential information effectively and without breach of confidentiality.

Competencies Required

• People Management • Analysis and Decision Making • Delivery of Results • Interpersonal and Communication Skills • Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development • Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values Competencies will be informed by best practice Public Appointment Service competency frameworks for the Irish Public Service available here.

Principal duties and responsibilities:

The successful candidate’s duties will include the following: • Manage a portfolio of placement programmes. • Promote the service and service offering to students (in person, in class and online). • Source work placement and graduate employment opportunities as required. • Provide administrative support to the placement process (e.g. advertising roles to students, applications, arranging interviews and managing feedback and offers, etc.). • Deliver a range of employability programmes, including interview skills and effective applications for students going on placement. • Maintain accurate records of all components of the placement as required e.g., agreements, records of supervision, etc. • Provide guidance and support to students and employers throughout the placement process. • Monitor and report on the placement targets for his/her portfolio on a periodic basis. • Co-ordinate student and employer feedback on the placement process. • Maintain and disseminate up-to-date information and documentation for students, staff, employers, recruiters and partner organisations through a variety of media. • Maintain long-term collaborative relationships with employers and academic staff. • Maintain the Careers and Employability Centre IT systems and databases e.g. CRM, central placement management system, etc. • Support project work undertaken by the Centre in areas such as e.g. quality improvement, IT systems. • Liaise with academic work placement co-ordinators and supervisors across the TU. • Participate in Careers and Employability outreach and promotion activities, including inductions, staffing outreach stands, open days. • Such other duties as the Careers and Employability Manager or their delegate may require from time to time.

Superannuation (new entrant) This is a pensionable post. Specific details of the scheme will be dependent on the successful appointee’s individual status and therefore such details will be provided at the time of appointment. Applicants should note that they will be required to complete a Pre-Employment Declaration to confirm whether they have previously availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme of incentivised early retirement or enhanced redundancy payment. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Irish Public Service employment.

Hours A staff member appointed to this post will have to work a standard working week of 35 hours (net of rest breaks). Annual Leave 23 days per annum. CL 0009/2014 will apply. Salary Scale €36,354 – €52,251 (10 points) The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy