Grade VII – Administrative Officer (Fixed Term Contract)

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the following post:

Grade VII – Administrative Officer (Fixed Term Contract)

Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT)

School ESOL / Support Officer

(Fixed Term contract until 31.12.2024)

Ref: REALT24

Role Description The REALT School ESOL/Support Officer will support Schools coordinating the drawdown of ESOL hours from ESOL tutor panels as required and also support Ukrainian families and other Non-Ukrainian IPAS arrivals seeking school places for their children. The REALT School ESOL/Support Officer must comply with all of the requirements of the Department of Education as well as their local ETB requirements.

REALT SCHOOL ESOL/SUPPORT OFFICER ROLE REQUIREMENTS: The ideal candidate will have: • Ability to coordinate the assessment of the ESOL needs of all post primary schools in the ETB area • An excellent understanding of ESOL provision in Ireland • Good understanding of refugee/asylum issues • Have excellent administrative and IT Skills • A proven track record of working in complex environments, creating and leading teams to achieve results • In-depth knowledge of the Irish Education system including national and regional support structures and ideally understand how schools operate at primary and / or post-primary • Experience of dealing with the public and on items of public interest • Proven ability to exercise sound judgement, excellent critical and analytical thinking as well as problem solving/decision making skills • Strong personal drive, commitment, resilience, flexibility, and an ability to cope with competing demands and challenges as necessary • Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment as part of a focused team. • Efficient record keeping.

• Experience of supporting and implementing Department of Education policy. • Ability to provide clear and accurate information both written and oral. • Proven ability to make appropriate decisions quickly, work to deadlines and work collaboratively within a team.

Essential Skills Requirements: The successful candidate will: • Experience of working in the Irish Education System • Excellent communication, interpersonal and ICT skills

In addition • Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Level 7 (or higher) major academic award (or equivalent qualification recognised and accredited in Ireland) in health, education, arts, humanities, psychology, social science, youth and community areas or a relevant business qualification Or • Have appropriate relevant experience which encompasses equivalent skills and expertise.

Other requirements of the role The successful candidate may have to travel to various locations throughout the country so will require access to transport.

NOTE: Qualifications/eligibility may not be verified until the final stage of the process. Therefore, those candidates who do not possess the eligibility requirements, and proceed with their application, are putting themselves to unnecessary effort/expense and will not be offered a position from this campaign. An invitation to tests, interview or any element of the selection process is not acceptance of eligibility.

Competencies Required: The REALT School ESOL/Support Officer will be required to show evidence of the following competencies:

Team Leadership • Works with the team to facilitate high performance, developing clear and realistic objectives and addressing any performance issues if they arise • Provides clear information and advice as to what is required of the team • Strives to develop and implement new ways of working effectively to meet objectives • Leads the team by example, coaching and supporting individuals as required

• Places high importance on staff development, training and maximising skills & capacity of team • Is flexible and willing to adapt, positively contributing to the implementation of change

Analysis and Decision Making • Gathers and analyses information from relevant sources, whether financial, numerical or otherwise, weighing up a range of critical factors • Takes account of any broader issues and related implications when making decisions • Uses previous knowledge and experience in order to guide decisions • Makes sound decisions with a well-reasoned rationale and stands by these • Puts forward solutions to address problems

Management and Delivery of Results • Takes responsibility and is accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives • Successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities at the same time • Structures and organises their own and others work effectively • Is logical and pragmatic in approach, delivering the best possible results with the resources available • Delegates work effectively, providing clear information and evidence as to what is required • Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation • Demonstrates enthusiasm for new developments/changing work practices and strives to implement these changes effectively • Applies appropriate systems/processes to enable quality checking of all activities and outputs • Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high quality customer service, for internal and external customers

Interpersonal and Communication Skills • Builds and maintains contact with colleagues and other stakeholders to assist in performing role • Acts as an effective link between staff and senior management • Encourages open and constructive discussions around work issues • Projects conviction, gaining buy-in by outlining relevant information and selling the benefits • Treats others with diplomacy, tact, courtesy and respect, even in challenging circumstances • Presents information clearly, concisely and confidently when speaking and in writing

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development • Has a clear understanding of the roles, objectives and targets of self and the team and how they fit into the work of the unit and department/organisation and effectively communicates this to others • Has a breadth and depth of knowledge of relevant Government Strategy and Policy, along with ETB sectoral issues and is sensitive to wider political and organisational priorities • Is focused on self-development, keeps up to date with relevant developments seeking feedback and opportunities for growth to help carry out the specific requirements of the role currently and into the future.

Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values • Strives to perform at a high level, investing significant energy to achieve agreed objectives • Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenging circumstances and high demands • Is personally trustworthy and can be relied upon • Ensures that customers are at the heart of all services provided • Upholds high standards of honesty, ethics and integrity

Health A candidate for, and any person holding, the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Candidates must: • Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned • Be suitable on the grounds of character • Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned

And if successful, they will not be appointed to the post unless they: • Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be performed • Are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking the duties attached to the position.

Citizenship Requirement Candidates should note that eligibility to compete is open to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) or to non-EEA nationals with a valid work permit. The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Norway. Swiss citizens under EU agreements may also apply.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE Terms of Appointment This appointment will be for a fixed-purpose contract until 31st December 2024 subject to a probationary period. If at any time during the probation period, it appears that the appointee would not be suitable for final appointment the contract will be terminated.

The REALT School ESOL/Support Officer will receive a contract setting out the commencement and termination dates of the fixed term employment and indicating times of work will be agreed with the ETB.

The Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977 to 2001 shall not apply to a dismissal consisting only of the expiry of the fixed term of this contract without its being renewed. In accordance with Section 8 of the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act 2003, the REALT School ESOL/Support Officer is not being offered a contract of indefinite duration on this occasion as their employment is subject to continuity of the programme funding.

Secondment from the education sector may be considered for the filling of the position.

Reporting Structure The REALT School ESOL/Support Officer will report to the Director of Schools in their local ETB.

Remuneration The salary scale applicable to this position is a Grade VII salary scale. The salary scale as of 1st October 2023 is €55,846 - €72,602 (including two long service increments). As per DE guidelines, new appointees who are entering this grade for the first time will start at the minimum point of the scale, however incremental credit may apply, if, immediately prior to appointment the appointee is already a serving Civil or Public Servant.

Starting salary Candidates should note that the starting salary will be at the minimum of the appropriate pay-scale and will not be subject to negotiation.

Different remuneration and conditions may apply, if, immediately prior to appointment the appointee is already a serving Public Servant.

Prior to taking up duty an appointee seconded to the post will be required to provide a comprehensive statement to the ETB from his/her substantive employer confirming salary and pension details.

Annual Leave The appointee will be entitled to 29 working days holidays (pro-rata) in each year (in addition to the usual Public and Bank Holidays) to be taken at a time or times convenient to business needs.

Sick Leave Sick Leave will be in accordance with established procedures and conditions for ETB staff generally. Prior to taking up duty an appointee seconded to the post will be required to provide to ETB their sick leave records for the previous 4-year rolling period from his/her substantive employer.

Termination The appointment will be terminated by one month’s notice in writing on either side.

Pension The appointee will be eligible to join the ETB’s pension scheme in accordance with scheme rules. If the appointee is seconded from the education sector (public service), the rules of the superannuation scheme applicable to their substantive grade will apply.

Location The REALT Co-ordinators principal place of work is dependent on the ETB area to which they are assigned.

Maternity / Adoptive / Carers / Parental / Force Majeure Leave Maternity / Adoptive / Carers / Parental Leave will be granted in accordance with the arrangements authorised by the Minister for Education and Skills. The provisions of the Parental Leave Act, 1998 and any subsequent Acts replacing or amending that Act will apply to Force Majeure Leave.

General The above represents the principal conditions of service and is not intended to be the comprehensive list of all terms and conditions of employment which will be set out in the successful candidate’s employment contract.

SELECTION PROCESS How to Apply The job advertisement will appear on cityofdublinetb.ie The recruitment process will be in line with the local ETBs business processes.

Applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.

The admission of a person to this competition, or invitation to take tests or attend for interview is not to be taken as implying that the ETB is satisfied that such person fulfils the requirements.

Notes: Please note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all applications are received on time. Any technical difficulties encountered by the sender when submitting applications are not the responsibility of the ETB. Therefore, candidates are strongly advised to submit applications well before the application deadline on the specified closing date. Enquiries should be directed to the ETB.

Closing Date and Time: Your application must be submitted online to the appropriate ETB not later than 12 noon Wednesday 24th January 2024.

We acknowledge receipt of all applications. We endeavour to give as much notice as possible for interview dates etc. Candidates should make themselves available on the date(s) specified by the ETB.

The Selection Process may include: • Shortlisting of candidates on the basis of the information contained in their application • Qualifying preliminary interview

The Selection Process will include: • Reference checking

Shortlisting: Normally the number of applications received for a position exceeds that required to fill existing vacancies to the position. If the numbers applying for the position are such that it would not be practical to interview everyone, an ETB may decide to employ a short-listing process to select a group for interview who, based on an examination of the documents provided by you, appear to be the most suitable for the position.

This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable, or incapable of the job, rather that there are some candidates who are, prima facie, better qualified and/or have more relevant experience. During any short-listing exercise that may be employed, an ETB examines the application forms and assesses them against pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position. It is therefore in your own interests to provide a detailed and accurate account of your qualifications/ experience on the application form.

GENERAL INFORMATION Security Clearance ETBs are registered with the National Vetting Unit (NVU). As part of the Board’s recruitment and selection process, offers of employment to all posts may be subject to NVU disclosure.

Other Important Information ETBs will not be responsible for refunding any expenses incurred by candidates.

The admission of a person to a competition, or invitation to attend interview, or a successful result letter, is not to be taken as implying that any ETB is satisfied that such a person fulfils the requirements or is not disqualified by law from holding the position.

Prior to recommending any candidate for appointment to this position each ETB will make all such enquiries that are deemed necessary to determine the suitability of that candidate. Until all stages of the recruitment process have been fully completed a final determination cannot be made nor can it be deemed or inferred that such a determination has been made. Should the person recommended for appointment decline, or having accepted it, relinquish it, or should another vacancy arise, an ETB may at its discretion, select and recommend another person for appointment on the results of this selection process.

Candidates should note that any attempt to canvass support for an application will lead to disqualification.

Confidentiality All enquires, applications and all aspects of the proceedings are treated as strictly confidential and are not disclosed to anyone, outside those directly involved in that aspect of the process.

Deeming of candidature to be withdrawn Candidates who do not attend for interview or other test when and where required by an ETB or who do not, when requested, furnish such evidence as the ETB require in regard to any matter relevant to their candidature, will have no further claim to consideration.

Data Protection ETBs process data in compliance with current Data Protection legislation.

Feedback Feedback will be provided on written request.

Latest date for receipt of completed applications for the above post is 12 noon Wednesday 24th January 2024

LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED CVs WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED SHORTLISTING OF CANDIDATES MAY TAKE PLACE ETBS ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Please refer to information guide for further details.