Driver Testers

Post: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is tasked with improving safety on our roads in order to reduce death and serious injuries resulting from road collisions. The legal basis for the RSA is set out in the Road Safety Authority Act 2006. The RSA formally came into existence on 1st September 2006. An objective of the RSA is to bring Ireland's road safety record into line with "best practice" countries throughout the World. The achievement of this objective will involve cooperation with many stakeholders working in the area of Road Safety, including an Garda Siochana, Education sector, Health sector, Local Authorities, Courts Service, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, International Road Safety organisations, the European Union, the media and the general public. Driver Testers undertake the important task of testing learner drivers to ensure they meet the necessary driving standard to drive safely on our roads. Nature of Employment

This is a permanent assignment in accordance with the general conditions of employment with a one-year probation period. Job Location: A Driver Tester’s headquarters is determined by the Head of Driver Testing Operations. The Driver Testing Service is a national service with approximately 60 Test Centre locations throughout the country. The decisions around locations offered are based on operational demand. Vacancies for which you may be considered will extend only to a city/town in your chosen location. Candidates must select at least 1 location and up to a maximum of 2. Posts will be offered to candidates in these locations only, based off their order of merit placing on the panel and vacancies available. You should only select a location where you would be prepared to work if offered an appointment. Once you have submitted your location choice, changes will not be permitted after the closing date of the competition. No exceptions will be made.

Important Note: The highest proportion of roles in this competition will be based in the following areas: Dublin South, Dublin North and Cork. Candidates should be aware that vacancies may not arise in all of the below locations while this panel is active. Placement on the panel is not a guarantee of an offer. Dublin

South Kildare

Monaghan Dublin North

Kilkenny

Offaly Carlow

Laois

Roscommon Cavan

Leitrim

Sligo Clare

Limerick

Tipperary Cork

Longford

Waterford Donegal

Louth

Westmeath Galway

Mayo

Wexford Kerry

Meath

Wicklow

Working Environment: Driver Testers presently work from approximately 60 Driving Test Centre locations located in various towns and cities throughout the country. Hours of attendance will be set from time to time by the Road Safety Authority, but the total hours will not amount to less than 41hrs and 15 mins (gross) per week. RSA may wish to operate seven days a week in the future, so it is envisaged that Testers (dependent on location and demand in their assigned area) may be required to a work on a 5/7 basis throughout the working week. Working 5 days out of a 7-day week which will mean any of the five days as opposed to Monday – Friday. This system may be subject to change. The holder of the post shall be required to work weekends, Bank and Public Holidays and undertake such overtime as considered necessary from time to time with additional payments, where applicable, being made for such occurrences. Each Test Centre location contains basic office facilities from which oral tests are conducted and necessary administrative functions are carried out. Testers will be required to ensure that official documents and equipment used as part of their duties are maintained securely at all times. It is the responsibility of the Driver Tester to comply with all protocols and procedures in place to ensure the safety of the Tester and members of the public using our services.

Key Elements of the Job/Duties and Responsibilities: • Driver Testers must conduct driving tests to a set standard and in accordance with prescribed procedures. • The test is a formal examination, however, it is essential that the Tester puts the candidate at ease and conducts tests in a courteous and customer friendly manner. • The normal work schedule, generally covers eight driving tests daily, consisting of an oral examination on the Rules of the Road, technical checks relating to the vehicle and a practical driving test over a fixed route. • The Tester checks that certain requirements for the test are met – that the applicant has a current valid learner permit, and that the vehicle for test is roadworthy and is representative of the category in which the applicant is being tested. • The practical driving test is an assessment of the applicant’s competence to drive safely and in accordance with the Rules of the Road. Key aspects of the test include starting and stopping the engine, moving off, dealing with traffic conditions on the test route, left and right turns, turnabout, hill start, reversing and hand signals. When the test is completed, the Tester informs the applicant whether or not they have passed the test, provides feedback and issues a certificate accordingly.

• Throughout the driving test the Tester must give clear instructions concerning the route to be followed and the manoeuvres to be undertaken. • The Tester must be present at the test centre each day and be prepared to take each applicant as they arrive, ensuring that all necessary details relating to the test is at hand and that s/he has an adequate supply of all necessary documentation to carry out the test. • The Tester must undertake necessary administrative work with a high level of attention to detail at the commencement and conclusion of each test and where required furnish reports as may be requested by their manager. • They must follow the guidance of supervisory staff and engage with necessary measures to supervise and monitor their work. • From time-to-time Testers may be required to provide emergency cover and conduct tests originally assigned to other Testers who are unable to conduct a test. • In certain cases, a Tester may defer a decision to issue a Certificate of Competency (pass result) pending the production by the applicant of a medical report on their fitness to drive. • The Tester must participate in relevant training in order to develop skills, knowledge and service standards. • The Tester must participate in the continual improvement of working practices and development of enhanced systems and processes. • The Tester must comply and adhere with all organisational policies, procedures and protocols. • The Tester must work collaboratively and positively with Driver Testing colleagues and line mangers in meeting its’ objectives to provide the highest standard of Driver Testing possible. This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time by the Head of Driver Testing and Chief Driver Tester and to contribute to the development of the post while in the role.

ADI employment and ADI declaration: Please note that if you are currently an ADI or have been in the past 12 months, there are certain restrictions in place in relation to your HQ location. Please refer to the FAQ document for further information.

Training: Driver Testers recruited on foot of this competition will undertake a training course, normally of seven weeks duration. Newly appointed testers, may be required to attend a different training location than their permanent headquarters for the 7-week training period. Training locations will be assigned at the discretion of management. The course embraces all aspects of the testing procedure and equips the trainee to conduct Category B (Car) tests. The course has two parts. The first part is designed to bring the trainee’s driving skills and practices up to a high standard. The second part consists of training to enable the trainee to assess the competence of applicants against the standard set by the RSA as being acceptable for driving test purposes as well as the procedures and guidelines which underpins the driving test. The course also has a module concerning customer care so that trainees are familiar with this vital element of their work. At the conclusion of the training programme the trainee is expected to be able to conduct driving tests for Category B vehicles in accordance with the procedures laid down by the RSA having regard to the need to demonstrate a high standard of customer care. Refresher training for applicants previously employed by RSA will be aligned with normal practice where required. Where a trainee driver tester does not meet the necessary standard as assessed through continuous assessment and final completion of the training programme s/he will not be appointed as a Driver Tester. During the course of the initial training programme, trainees are headquartered at the training centre locations which may differ from normal headquarters. The training programme is overseen by the Driver Testing Training and Standards Manager and is a mix of classroom/online and practical training. Trainees are required to bring their own Category B vehicle for use during certain periods of the training and this must be 4/5 door manual vehicle capable of carrying rear seat passengers and not a van-type vehicle, so that the Training Officer and/or Supervisor can accompany the trainee during training. Trainees must bring their driving licence with them during training and they must ensure it is in date. Trainees must ensure that their vehicle is fully compliant with all relevant legislation. New Driver Testers will be asked to complete a number of online compliance modules ahead of commencement of live testing i.e., Child Protection, Protected Disclosures, etc. These links and modules will be made available to them by the HR department at the appropriate time.

Essential Requirements: The minimum requirements for a Driver Tester are laid out in Statutory Instrument 483 of 2011 as transposed from EU Directive 126/2006/EC.

Candidates on or before Thursday,19th September 2024: • Must hold a category B Car full licence, valid in the State, this includes licences from EU/EEA member states, for at least the past 5 years (this includes UK/NI licences). • Must hold a qualification equivalent to Level 5 on the Irish National Framework Qualifications (NFQ) or Level 4 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The National Framework of Qualifications | Quality and Qualifications Ireland (qqi.ie) • Must have a satisfactory knowledge of the Rules of the Road, road procedures and the law relating to road traffic insofar as it concerns the driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle. • Must have excellent customer service and interpersonal skills and be able to communicate clearly in writing and verbally. • Must have the capacity to remain calm and courteous in dealing with driving test applicants, adopting a customer centric approach at all times. • Must have strong administrative competencies including good IT skills & attention to detail. • Must be legally eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland without restrictions. If you are unsure if your educational qualification meets the necessary requirements, please refer to the Irish National Framework, which can be found here; https://www.qqi.ie/whatwe-do/the-qualifications-system/national-framework-of-qualifications. This must be submitted with your application form.

Please note the current Irish Leaving Certificate qualification is deemed as a level 5 on the Irish National Framework, but the Leaving Certificate Applied is a Level 4 and would not qualify. You must have successfully completed a level 5 qualification to qualify. Evidence will be required. You must submit a copy of your qualifications, category B full licence and confirm eligibility to work in Ireland without restrictions with your application form.

If you do not have a copy of your qualification at the online application stage of this campaign, please submit evidence of your request to the educational institution or the state examination commission. We will provisionally accept your application on foot of this declaration, but please note a permanent offer will not be made until qualifications are verified. The qualification must have been completed before Thursday,19th September 2024.

Desirable: • Have the confidence to take responsibility for achievement of objectives. • Have good organisation skills. • Have the ability to work effectively as part of a team. • Irish language skills.

The RSA is fully committed to fulfilling obligations under the Official Languages Act. It is intended that vacancies arising which require staff to provide a full range of services through the Irish language (Functional Bilinguals) may be filled from this competition. Candidates who indicate their interest and who are successful at the final selection stages will be required to undergo certain assessments though Irish, e.g. interview and written test, prior to being considered for such a position.

Key Public Service Competencies for effective performance at this level: A Driver Tester will be required to be proficient in the following areas; • Specialist Knowledge and Expertise competencies: Ability to understand basic vehicle mechanics and dynamics and how they relate to the challenges faced by learner drivers. • Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values competencies: Ability to deal with customers in a professional and courteous manner and show empathy towards driving test candidates.

• Delivery of Results and Communication Skills competencies: Ability to competently complete basic reports and effectively manage IT and devices withintheir role as a driver tester.
• Analysis and Decision Making: A driver tester must make difficult decisions on a daily basis under pressure.
• Completing each stage of the recruitment process i.e., application, online assessments, interview and driving assessment satisfactorily, completing documentation and providing full and honest information at all stages of the process. Fulfilling all HR requirements such as satisfactory medical & Garda clearance in advance of commencement is required. Job offers and subsequent employment if undertaken is dependent on all provisions being met.

Salary Scale: Based on a 41.25 hours per week gross or 35 hours net, successful candidates will be paid on the Driver Tester PPC scale. Point 1 €44,673 Point 2 €47,459 Point 3 €49,994 Point 4 €51,583 Point 5 €53,092 Point 6 €54,621 Max €56,329 LSI1 €57,889 LSI2 €59,455 Important Note: Candidates should note that entry will be at point 1 of the above scale and will not be subject to negotiation. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Candidates should note that different pay and conditions may apply, if, prior to appointment, the appointee is currently or was a serving civil or public servant in a driving assessment role. Incremental credit will be investigated at onboarding stage. Salary is paid fortnightly; the Authority operates a contributory pension scheme. PPC (Personal Pension Contribution) Scale (for officers who are existing civil or public servants appointed on or after 6 April 1995 or who are new entrants to the civil or public service and who are making a compulsory personal pension contribution) A different rate will apply where the appointee is not required to make a Personal Pension Contribution. Long service increments may be payable after 3 years (LSI-1) and 6 years (LSI- 2) satisfactory service at the maximum of the scale.

Outside Employment: The position is whole-time and the officer may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business, which would interfere with the performance of official duties. Candidates who are offered a contract of appointment as a Driver Tester are precluded from being simultaneously active as a driving instructor.

Hours of Attendance: RSA may wish to operate its Driving Test service over seven days a week so it is envisaged that Testers (dependent on location and demand in their assigned area) may be required to a work on a 5/7 basis throughout the working week i.e., Working 5 days out of a 7-day week which will mean any of the five days as opposed to Monday – Friday. In addition, hours of attendance may not be as standard hours i.e., 9am – 5pm. In addition to this and in line with Public Service agreements, we may wish to have extended operating hours in order to meet our customer needs. This system may be subject to change. The holder of the post shall be required to work weekends, Bank and Public Holidays and undertake such overtime as considered necessary from time to time with additional payments, where applicable, being made for such occurrences.

Training: A person appointed as a result of this competition may be required to undergo any course of instructions or training (including academic education) which, in the opinion of the Road Safety Authority, would be relevant to the duties of the post.

Probation: Candidates must satisfactorily complete a 12-month probationary period before a permanent appointment can be confirmed.

Annual Leave: 23 days per annum, rising to 24 days after 5 years’ service, 25 days after 10 years’ service, 26 days after 12 years' service and 27 days after 14 years' service. This leave is on the basis of a five-day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

Medical: A candidate who is not already in permanent employment of the Authority will be required, prior to appointment, to pass a medical examination by a doctor nominated by the Authority. The Authority bears the cost of this examination. Pensionable Age: The minimum age at which pension is payable is the same as the age of eligibility for the State Pension, currently 66. Retirement Age: Scheme members must retire at the age of 70. Career average earnings are used to calculate benefits (a pension and lump sum amount accrue each year and are up-rated each year by reference to CPI). Post retirement pension increases are linked to CPI.