Assistant Staff Officer

SECTION 1: THE ROLE The position of Assistant Staff Officer is a support or supervisory position within the Council and may be assigned responsibility for the day-to-day operation of a work area, section or team, depending on the assignment. The Assistant Staff Officer works as part of a team, supporting managers and colleagues to meet work goals and objectives and to deliver quality services to internal and external customers. He/she will be responsible for the implementation of work programmes to achieve goals and targets set out in Departmental and Team Plans. The Assistant Staff Officer is expected to carry out their duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence. Appointees will be required to carry out their duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making. Notwithstanding the requirements of the post, successful applicants may be assigned at any time to any service area/role within the Cork County Council’s administrative area.

SECTION 2: DUTIES: The duties may include but are not limited to the following and the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. • To support the line manager to ensure the section or department work programme is implemented to deliver on the Council’s Corporate and Operational Plans. • To communicate and liaise effectively with customers, employees, supervisors and line managers in other sections in relation to operational matters relevant to their section or area of work. • To provide administrative support and reporting of progress, based on a thorough knowledge and understanding of the workings of the section, as appropriate. To develop and maintain effective working relationships (internally & externally). • Responsibility for preparation of reports, correspondence and other documents as necessary. • To ensure high levels of customer service, responding to queries and requests for information in a professional, courteous and timely manner. • Where appropriate, support, implement, manage and communicate all change management initiatives within the relevant area of responsibility. • To provide assistance and support in the delivery of projects as required. • To supervise employees within their team or programmes of work within their area of responsibility, providing support to team members or colleagues as required. • To organise and facilitate internal and external meetings and participate and engage in discussions as appropriate. • To comply with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work. • To deputise for the line manager or equivalent as required. • To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required from time to time.

SECTION 3: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA / QUALIFICATIONS Cork County Council, invites applications, from suitably qualified persons, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which vacancies for Assistant Staff Officer (Grade 4) may be filled. Cork County Council will, following the interview process, form three panels for the post of Assistant Staff Officer from which future vacancies may be filled. 20% will be confined to the recruiting Local Authority, 50% will be confined to the Local Authority Sector, 30% will be filled by Open Competition.

Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for the following panel(s): • Panel A Confined to Local Authority Sector/Regional Assemblies (Be a serving member of the Local Authority Sector/Regional Assemblies) • Panel B Open Competition (Open to internal and external applicants) • Panel C Confined to the recruiting Local Authority or Applicable Regional Assembly (Be a serving member of the recruiting Local Authority/Regional Assembly) 1. Character Each candidate must be of good character. 2. 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. 3. Education, Training, Experience etc. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: I. (a) Have at least obtained Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level in 5 subjects (or 4 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 3 subjects in that examination (2 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, OR

Confined competition IV. Be a serving employee of a Local Authority/Regional Assembly and have at least two years satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or in an analogous post. 4. Age Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant within the meaning of the Public Services Superannuation Act, 2004. A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 70 years of age. 5. Transport Holders of the post should hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall be required drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. 6. Required Skillset In the context of the key duties and responsibilities for the post of Assistant Staff Officer listed above, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the following knowledge, experience, skills and competencies. • Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government. • Knowledge of current local government issues. • Understanding of the role of an Assistant Staff Officer. • Relevant administrative experience. • Experience of working as part of a team. • Experience of preparing reports and correspondence. • Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

SECTION 4: COMPETENCIES A Competency Based Application form requires you to describe some of your personal achievements to date that demonstrate certain competencies (necessary skills and qualities) required for the position for which you are applying. For each competency, you are given a description of a skill or quality. You are then asked to describe a situation, from your own experience, which you think is the best example of what YOU have done which demonstrates this skill or quality. It is essential that you describe how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question. Therefore, compose your replies carefully in this section and try to structure what you write so that you give specific information about what you have done - for example, do not simply say that “X was successful”, describe exactly what you did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question.

For each example please include the following: a) the nature of the task, problem or objective; b) what you actually did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality (and, where appropriate, the date you demonstrated it) c) the outcome or result of the situation and your estimate of the proportion of credit you can claim for the outcome.

The information you present in your application may form part of a shortlisting process and may also be used to help structure your interview, should you be invited to one. A shortlisting process may be applied based on TWO or more of the competencies and on other information you provide in your application form. Please note that, should you be called to interview, the board may look for additional examples of where you demonstrated the skills required for this post so you should think of a number of examples of where you demonstrated each of the skills. A candidate must possess the following competencies:-

Analysis & Decision Making • Effectively deals with a wide range of information sources, investigating all relevant issues. • Understands the practical implication of information in relation to the broader context in which s/he works – procedures, divisional objectives etc. • Identifies and understands key issues and trends. • Correctly extracts & interprets numerical information, conducting accurate numerical calculations. • Draws accurate conclusions & makes balanced and fair recommendations backed up with evidence.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills • Modifies communication approach to suit the needs of a situation/audience. • Actively listens to the views of others. • Liaises with other groups to gain co-operation. • Negotiates, where necessary, in order to reach a satisfactory outcome. • Maintains a focus on dealing with customers in an effective, efficient and respectful manner. • Is assertive and professional when dealing with challenging issues. • Expresses self in clear and articulate manner when speaking and in writing.

Delivery of Results

• Takes ownership of tasks and is determined to see them through to a satisfactory conclusion. • Is logical and pragmatic in approach, setting objectives and delivering the best possible results with the resources available through effective prioritisation. • Constructively challenges existing approaches to improve efficient customer service delivery. • Accurately estimates time parameters for projects, making contingencies to overcome obstacles. • Minimises errors, reviewing learning and ensuring remedies are in place. • Maximises the input of own team in ensuring effective delivery of results. • Ensures proper service delivery procedures/protocols/reviews are in place and implemented. Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development • Displays high levels of skill/expertise in own area and provides guidance to colleagues. • Has a clear understanding of the role, objectives and targets and how they support the service delivered by the unit and Department/Organisation and can communicate to the team. • Leads by example, demonstrating the importance of development by setting time aside for development initiatives for self and the team.

SECTION 5: TENURE The position is permanent and fulltime. The post is pensionable. Panels may be formed to fill vacancies for Assistant Staff Officer that may arise during the lifetime of the panels.

SECTION 6: SALARY The Salary scale for the post is: €34,260 - €53,301 per annum

€34,260 - €36,366 - €39,355 - €41,318 - €43,035 - €44,696 - €46,938 - €48,560 - €50,206 (Maximum), €51,733 (1st LSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the Maximum), €53,301 (2nd LSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the 1st LSI). 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 a minimum point. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

SECTION 7: ASSIGNMENT / LOCATION OF POST Cork 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 compensation.

SECTION 8: WORKING HOURS 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.

SECTION 9: ANNUAL LEAVE The current annual leave entitlement is 30 days per annum. Cork 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, 1997(as amended).