Staff Officer

The Competition Galway County Council is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Staff Officer (Grade V). Recruitment arrangements to this grade will now be on the following basis:

Galway County Council will form three (3) separate panels from suitably qualified candidates to meet the requirements for posts confined to the local authority sector, open and those confined to Galway County Council staff, from which future relevant vacancies may be filled.

Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for the following panel(s): • Panel A (Confined to 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) will comprise of all successful applicants in order of merit and may include candidates serving in a local authority, regional assembly, and external applicants. • Panel C (Confined to the recruiting local Authority) will comprise of all successful applicants in order of merit from within the recruiting local authority i.e. candidates serving in Galway County Council. Qualifications for the Post Character: Candidates shall be of good character and references shall be sought.

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. For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for the successful candidate, before they are appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority

Education and Experience: Panel A - Confined to local authority sector. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: (i) be a serving employee in a Local Authority or Regional Assembly and have not less than two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous post.

Panel B - Open Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: a) Have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five (5) subjects (or four (4) 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 have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in Higher Level (or Honours) papers in three (3) subjects in that examination (or two (2) subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics) or b) Have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination, or c) Hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard,

Panel C - Confined to employees of Galway County Council Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms. (i) be a serving employee in Galway County Council and have not less than two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous post. The Post Galway County Council is establishing panels for the position of Staff Officer from which permanent and/or temporary Staff Officer vacancies may be filled. The Staff Officer is a supervisory position and is assigned functional responsibility for managing the performance of a Section or Function (either service delivery function for example Housing or Roads or support functional area for example Human Resources or Finance) within a Department. The Staff Officer will work under the direction and management of the Administrative Officer or analogous grade or other employee designated by the Senior Executive Officer or Director of Services as appropriate. The Staff Officer will work as part of a multidisciplinary team within the Council, assisting with the implementation of work programmes to achieve goals, targets and standards set out in Departmental and Team development plans. The Staff Officer will be expected to use initiative and work to a high standard and will be required to operate the Council’s existing and future IT systems as part of their work. The Staff Officer role requires excellent administrative, employee supervisory, interpersonal, communication and other particular skills and expertise depending on assignment.

The successful candidate will be expected to carry out the following non-exhaustive list of duties set out below; The main duties and responsibilities of the role of Staff Officer (Grade V) are: • To be responsible for the supervision of a section or function within the Council. • To support the Administrative Officer or designated Senior Official to ensure the section or department work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council’s Corporate Plan and Operational plans. • To support the Administrative Officer or other nominated senior official to communicate, implement and manage all change management initiatives within the relevant area of responsibility. • To supervise employees in supporting roles up to the position/grade of Assistant Staff Officer (Grade IV) or analogous grades, including assigning duties and workload. • To provide on-going support to employees in the department or section, including handling day to day problems and identifying training and development requirements as appropriate. • To ensure full compliance with all organisational policies and procedures including grievance and disciplinary, performance management and attendance management. To communicate and liaise effectively with employees, supervisors and managers in other sections, senior managers and customers in relation to operational matters for their section. • To compile, prepare and present reports as necessary, including the preparation of reports or letters, which may be sensitive and/or confidential in nature. • To support the implementation of good practices with transparent reporting and communications to deliver accountable services in the department or section. • To provide assistance in the understanding and interpretation of the Council’s policies and procedures to employees in their area of responsibility and to customers as appropriate. • To carry out duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making. • To organise and facilitate internal and external meetings and participate and engage in discussions as appropriate. • To support the Council and Municipal District operations. • To carry out duties in a politically neutral manner, with a clear understanding of the political reality and context of the local authority. • To provide specialist administrative assistance and support in the delivery of projects as required. • To support the Administrative Officer or designated Senior Official in the management and implementation of Health and Safety for the section or department. • To deputise for the Administrative Officer or analogous grade as required. • To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required, or assigned, from time to time. The Person: Preferably the successful candidate will demonstrate: • A clear understanding of local government services in order to achieve effective service delivery • Ability to supervise and motivate a team effectively and maintain productive working relationships within the organisation and with customers • Effective budget management skills • Experience of planning/prioritising to meet targets and delegating work appropriately • Experience of managing resources and budgets in particular monitoring, assessing, evaluating and adhering to them • Experience of problem solving/ decision making • Experience of ability to retrieve and evaluate information effectively in the decision-making process • Excellent comprehensive experience at a sufficiently high level • Openness and a willingness to adopt new ways of working and involves other in change Working Hours 35.17 Hours per week.

Annual Leave: 30 Days per Annum

Pension: Local Government Superannuation Scheme. Details provided prior to appointment.

Residence: The person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to the Local Authority, as approved by the Chief Executive.

Probation: Where a person who is not already a permanent officer of a Local Authority is appointed to the office, the following provisions shall apply:- a) There shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which such person shall hold such office on probation. b) Such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion extend such period. c) Where such person’s services are unsatisfactory, the appointment may be terminated by the Chief Executive at any time during the period of probation. d) Where, on completion of the period of probation, the Chief Executive certifies that the person’s services are satisfactory, such person will finally be appointed.

Garda Vetting: Garda vetting may be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for appointment.