Senior Staff Officer

The Role Limerick City and County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which temporary and permanent vacancies for Senior Staff Officer may be filled throughout the lifetime of the panel. The Senior Staff Officer is a middle management position within the Council and is assigned responsibility for the day to day administration and management of an area of the Council’s activities, including management and supervision of staff. The Senior Staff Officer is responsible for ensuring that goals set out in Departmental and Team Plans become operational actions through the planning, allocation and prioritisation of work. The Senior Staff Officer is a key point of contact and liaison with other Sections or Departments in relation to all operational matters for the service delivery section or sections for which they are responsible. The Senior Staff Officer is expected to carry out their duties with an understanding of the political context of local government and in such a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making.

The Person The ideal candidate will also:

• Demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation and decision making skills, and be capable of representing the Council in a professional and credible manner
• Be self-motivated with ability to work on their own initiative
• Have a satisfactory understanding of the Council’s purpose and priorities
• Have a satisfactory knowledge of the structure and functions of local government and of current local government issues and advocates practical approaches to addressing them
• Demonstrate relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level
• Have a career record that demonstrates an ability to manage and supervise staff
• Have strong interpersonal and communications skills and be capable of representing the Council in a professional and credible manner
• Prior experience in preparation and management of budgets and implementation of work programmes
• Have an awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace
• Understand the changing environment and be capable of implementing change in order to deliver quality services to customers
• Understand the representational role of the elected members and be capable of working closely with them to deliver quality services and implement policy decisions
• Hold a current full, clean, category B driving licence and have access to own car

Duties The duties of the post will include but will not be limited to the following:

• Leadership and management of employees in supporting roles up to grade of Staff Officer and analogous, including assigning duties and workload
• Supporting management in the implementation of work programmes as required by the Council’s Corporate and Operational Plans
• Supporting line manager to communicate, implement and manage all change management initiatives within the relevant area of responsibility
• Responsibility for the management of a section or function within the Council
• Delivery of specific departmental/organisational objectives
• Management of conflicting demands within a team environment and to prescribed timelines and deadlines
• Provide ongoing leadership, motivation and support to employees in the department/section including resolving day to day problems and identifying training and development requirements as appropriate through support of the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS)
• Ensure full compliance with all organisational policies and procedures including grievance and disciplinary, performance management and attendance management
• Effective communication and liaison with colleagues, managers and customers in relation to operational matters for their section
• Compile, prepare and present reports as necessary, including preparation of reports or letters, which may be of a sensitive and/or confidential in nature
• Support implementation of good practices with transparent reporting and communications and to deliver accountable services in the department/section
• Carry out duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making
• Have a satisfactory understanding of the Council’s purpose and priorities, and knowledge of the public service organisation in Ireland
• To prepare budgets and ensure that work programmes are implemented within allocated budgets
• To establish and maintain effective working relationships with Public Representatives, external agencies etc. as appropriate to the activities of the section
• To attend inter-departmental meetings on behalf of the section including attendance at council meetings
• To contribute to the strategic and policy making decisions of the Council
• To comply with Health & Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work
• To undertake any other duties and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

Panel Formation Limerick City and County Council will, following the interview process, form 3 panels for the post of Senior Staff Officer (Grade VI) from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval. These panels will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 12 months. Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for the following panel(s): A. 50% confined to employees of the Local Authority Sector, B. 30% Open C. 20% confined to employees of Limerick City and County Council Panel A (Confined to the Local Authority Sector) will comprise of 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 B (Open Competition) will comprise of all successful applicants in order of merit and may include candidates serving in a Local Authority, Regional Assembly and external candidates. Panel C (Confined to Limerick City and County Council) will comprise of successful applicants, in order of merit, from within Limerick City and County Council only.

The advertising process for filling of posts according to these procedures is on the basis of:

• Advertising one competition and
• Forming three separate panels to meet the requirements of the ratio of posts to be confined to the local government sector, open and confined to the local authority as indicated above.

Qualifications – Open Panel – Panel B The essential qualifications for the post of Senior Staff Officer, are: 1. Character Candidates shall be of good character. 2. Health Candidate 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., Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: (i) a. have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four 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 three subjects in that examination (or two 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 equivalent examination, OR (iii) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard (iv) Shall have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff. * Non Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document. Local Authority Section/Confined – Panel A & B Be a serving employee in a local authority, or a regional assembly and have not less than two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous post. (a) be a serving employee in a local authority, or a regional assembly and have not less than two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous post, and (b) have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff. 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.

Terms and Conditions 1. The Post: Subject to the availability of suitably qualified candidates a panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Director General. The panel may be used by Limerick City and County Council to fill permanent and temporary positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. 2. Annual Leave The successful candidate will have 30 days annual leave. 3. Salary: Salary scale: €55,090 - €67,304 per annum gross, inclusive of LSIs. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. 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 the minimum point (currently €55,090). 4. Location: Limerick City and County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to travel to and from work at their own expense. 5. Hours of Work The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty five hours working week, hours may vary from time to time. The working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council. The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary. No additional remunertation will be paid in respect of such activities. The provisions of Limerick City and County Council’s Time and Attendance Policy is applicable to this grade at the current time. 6. Sick Leave: The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail. 7. Superannuation: The Local Government Superannuation Scheme applies. 8. Travel: 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. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Local Authority Travel and Subsistence Policy. Limerick City and County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately. 9. Residence: The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof. 10. Safety and Welfare: The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Limerick City and County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. The successful candidate shall make themselves aware of the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety, clothing and equipment. 11. Training: It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post. 12. Taking Up Appointment: The local authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of four weeks and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint them. 13. Garda Vetting : The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 came into effect on 29th April 2016. The Act places a statutory obligation on Limerick City and County Council to ensure that ‘any work or activity which is carried out by a person, a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of a person having access to or contact with children or vulnerable persons will be subject of Garda Vetting’. 14. Probation: Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a local authority is appointed, the following provisions shall apply: (a) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect, during which such person shall hold such post on probation. (b) Such period shall be set by the Director General and this period may be extended at their discretion. (c) Such person shall cease to hold the post at the end of the period of probation, unless during such period, the Manager has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory. 15. Citizenship Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be: (a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or (b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or (c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or (d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or (e) 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 (f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa 16. References: Applicants are required to advise the names of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related (at least one of the referees should be an existing or former employer). In advance of any offer of employment, Limerick City and County Council reserves the right to seek references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees. 17. General Data Protection Regulation: Basis for Processing your Personal Information The basis for processing your personal data is to progress your application for the position you have applied for with Limerick City and County Council under the Terms of the Employment (Information) Act 1994 and Human Resources Department policies and procedures. If you do not furnish the personal data requested, Limerick City and County Council will not be able to progress your application form for the competition for which you are applying. 18. Pre-Employment Medical: Prior to appointment the candidate will be required to complete a Health Declaration and may be required to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the Council. Where for any reason the cost of the medical examination is borne by the applicant it shall be refunded on appointment subject to statutory tax and statutory deductions. 19. Canvassing: Any attempt by a candidate or by any person(s) acting at their instigation, directly or indirectly by means or written communication or otherwise, to canvas or otherwise influence in the candidate’s favour, any member of the staff of the Council, or person nominated by the Council to interview or examine applicants will automatically disqualify the candidate for the position they are seeking.