Clerical Officer

Qualifications 1. 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. On the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, candidates shall have:- a) At least Grade D (or a pass) in Higher or Ordinary Level in five subjects from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme or a Pass Leaving Certificate Applied or a Level 2 N.C.V.A. Certificate Or b) Have passed an examination of at least equivalent standard. Or c) Have had at least two years previous service in an office of Clerical Officer, Clerk/Typist (Clerical Duties), Clerk/Typist (Typing and Clerical Duties) or Clerk/Typist, under a Local Authority or Health Board in the State. Or d) Have satisfactory relevant experience which encompasses demonstrable equivalent skills. In the event that an offer of employment is made, the candidate will be required to submit all relevant Educational Qualifications in order to meet the requirements above. Desirable 1. Excellent Customer Service skills and experience in operating within a busy administration environment 2. Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills. 3. Have an excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Microsoft Word and Excel. 4. Have excellent administration skills and telephone manner. PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the purpose of creating a panel for Clerical Officers (Grade III) from which permanent/temporary vacancies arising may be filled. While any candidate appointed may be assigned at any time to any of the Municipal Districts/Directorates under the Chief Executive’s control. This competition will form two panels:

• Wicklow County Council/All Directorates/Municipal Districts
• Baltinglass Municipal District

The position will be whole-time, permanent/temporary and pensionable. Duties: A Clerical Officer is the entry grade within the administrative structure of Wicklow County Council. Clerical Officers provide administrative and secretarial support within a team to ensure the provision of customer services, across the organisation. These services include housing, transportation infrastructure, environmental protection, planning, recreation & amenity, community development and supporting economic development. Duties may include (but not limited to): - Dealing with Public/Customers, including Public Counter/Reception Work - Word processing, spreadsheets, database, e-mail and internet - Inputting and working with computer data - Cashiering - General clerical duties, filing, photocopying - Handling mail and correspondence including electronic correspondence - Processing invoices and payroll for payment - Accounts – Purchasing, Creditors, Debtors - Taking minutes of meetings - Drafting letters and reports - Deputising for other officers of the local authority, when required - Such duties as may be assigned to them.

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 office on probation; (b) such period shall be six months but the Chief Executive may at his discretion extend such period; (c) such persons shall cease to hold such employment at end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory

Salary: €29,311 - €46,445 per annum includes 1st LSI EL 02/2024 The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time in line with national policy. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform. Starting pay shall be determined in accordance with appropriate Departmental Circular letters. New Entrants will be placed on the minimum of salary scale.

Hours of Work The person appointed will be required to work a 35 hour per week Monday to Friday which equates to a 7 hour to be accounted for with attendance hours of 9.00 a.m. to 5.00p.m. with one hour lunch between1.00p.m. and 2.00p.m.

Garda Vetting Candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting. Appointment(s) will be considered having regard to receipt of satisfactory Garda Vetting, particularly to determine suitability to work with children/vulnerable adults.

Health For the purposes 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.

Residence Holders of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof. Annual Leave Annual leave entitlement will be 27 days per annum exclusive of public holidays and Good Friday.

Retirement Age There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the Public Service as defined in the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. Persons who are NOT new entrants to the Public Service as defined in the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004 and the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018, are subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years. With effect from 1st January 2013, persons who are pensionable under the terms of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will have a minimum retirement age of 66 years initially rising in line with the State Pension age changes. Members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme have a compulsory retirement age of 70 years.

Superannuation Persons who become pensionable public servants on or after 1st January 2013 will become members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme and, as such, will be required to pay contributions of 3% of pensionable remuneration and 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of the net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. All persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme. 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 provide an example, giving consideration to the role and essential requirements outlined in the Candidate Information Booklet. Responses should not exceed 600 words. Please aim to provide your best evidence in this section, as the below information may be used for shortlisting and/or interview purposes.

Key Competencies for the post are set out as follows: • Organisational & Communication Skills • Customer Service & Teamwork • IS/IT Skills • Relevant Knowledge & Experience

COMPETENCY BEHAVIOURS Organisational & Communication Skills

• Demonstrates good organisational skills
• Manages time and work effectively
• Understands and follows procedures and processes
• Prioritises workloads and generates effective solutions
• Demonstrates skills in office administration including filing, photocopying, drafting and producing letters / reports
• Ability to maintain a focus in dealing with customers in an efficient, respectful and effective manner
• Ability to work with other groups to gain co-operation
• Remains composed and professional when dealing with challengin issues

Customer Service & Teamwork

• Demonstrates positive customer service attitude
• Is respectful, courteous and professional when dealing with customers and colleagues
• Delivers a high standard of service
• Represents the organisation positively and professionally when dealing with members of the public and other stakeholders
• Is capable of dealing with difficult customers in an effective manner
• Develops and maintains good working relationships with others, sharing information and knowledge as appropriate
• Understands own role in the team, making every effort to play his/her part
• Effective verbal and written communication skills IS/IT Skills
• Has a good practical application of IS Skill
• Can use various IS Packages/Systems (Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, etc.) and is proficient in the use of new technologies
• Demonstrates good data analytic skills

Relevant Knowledge & Experience

• Knowledge and understanding of the Local Authority and the services it provides
• Knowledge and awareness of key topical and priority issues