KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL

COMHAIRLE CONTAE CHIARRAI

Staff Officer

Oifigeach Foirne

Grade V

Kerry County Council

CountyKerry has a population of approximately 145,000 people in an area covering 4,700 square kilometres and Kerry County Council is responsible for the delivery of the full range of local government services. The 2018 annual revenue budget for the local authority is approximately €136.7 million. The Council also continues to invest in the infrastructure of the county through its Capital Investment Plan 2018-2020 with proposed expenditure in the region of €255 million over that period.

Kerry County Council comprises thirty-three elected Councillors and employs a workforce in excess of 1300 employees, covering 4 Municipal Districts – Tralee, Killarney, Listowel and South & West (including the towns and hinterlands of Caherciveen, Dingle, Kenmare and Killorglin). The appointee will work in a dynamic and progressive local authority which provides a multiplicity of services to the inhabitants of CountyKerry and the significant numbers of visitors to the County.

The Competition

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on panels from which vacancies for Staff Officer may be filled. Kerry County Council will, following an interview process, seek to form two panels from which future vacancies may be filled and in accordance with nationally agreed policy in this area, 80% of posts filled will be confined to the Common Recruitment Pool (as detailed hereunder) and 20% of posts will be filled by open competition.

Suitably qualified persons are therefore invited to apply for the following panels:-

Panel A (Common Recruitment Pool)

Panel B (Open Competition)

Panel A (Common Recruitment Pool) will comprise of successful applicants from within the Common Recruitment Pool only, i.e. candidates serving in in a local authority, health board, vocational education committee in the State, institute of technology, the General Medical Services (Payments) Board, St. James's Hospital Board, Beaumont Hospital Board, An Bord Altranais, the Local Government Computer Services Board, the Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly or the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly who have, satisfactory experience in a post at a level not lower than that of Assistant Staff Officer or at least two years satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or in an analogous post

Panel B (Open Competition) will comprise of all successful applicants in order of merit and may include internal and external applicants.

The Position

The Staff Officer is a supervisory position within the local authorityand is assigned responsibility for the day to day administration and management of a work area, section or team. He/She works as part of a team. Assisting with the implementation of work programmes to achieve goals and standards set out in Departmental and Team Plans.

The Staff Officer has a supervisory role in the day to day operations of the work area, or as a team leader. Appointees will be required to carry out their duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making.

Salary:€41,625 - €49,990 - with annual increments payable subject to satisfactory overall performance, attendance, etc.

Offers of appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of this scale. Where the person being appointed is a serving local authority employee, normal starting pay rules will apply.

Annual Leave:30 days per annum

Hours of Work:37 hours per week

Grading Structure
Duties Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities of the post of Staff Officer include:-

  • to be responsible for the supervision of a work area or section within the Council, including supervision of a team
  • to support the line manager to ensure section or department work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council’s operational plan, including supervising the work of the team
  • to develop and maintain productive working relationships
  • to provide information and assistance relating to their area of work as required
  • to compile, prepare and present reports, presentations and correspondence as necessary
  • to represent their section or department on committees or at meetings and give progress reports as required
  • to provide support and assistance in the delivery of projects as required
  • to be involved in the day to day management of resources within their section or team
  • to identify opportunities for improvements in service delivery within their section or team
  • to support and implement change management initiatives within their section or team
  • to supervise employees in supporting roles, including assigning tasks and duties, scheduling and prioritising work and monitoring and reporting on progress
  • to provide support to team members and employees, handling day to day issues, ensuring compliance with all council policies and procedures
  • to participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade
  • to be in compliance with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work
  • to deputise for the line manager or equivalent as required
  • to undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required, or assigned, from time to time.to participate in corporate management activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade

The Person

Panel A (Common Recruitment Pool)

Character:

Each candidate must be of good character.

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.

Education/ experience, etc.:

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(a)be a serving employee in a local authority, health board, vocational education committee in the State, institute of technology, the General Medical Services (Payments) Board, St. James's Hospital Board, Beaumont Hospital Board, An Bord Altranais, the Local Government Computer Services Board, the Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly or the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly and have, satisfactory experience in a post at a level not lower than that of Assistant Staff Officer or at least two years satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or in an analogous post;

(b)possess a satisfactory knowledge of the functions and duties of local authorities, and

(c)possess a satisfactory knowledge or experience of office organisation

Panel B (Open Competition)

Character:

Each candidate must be of good character.

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.

Education/ experience, etc.:

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(a)have a good general standard of education;

(b)have proven and relevant experience in administrative procedures including practical experience of work of an administrative nature, office organisation and control of staff;

(c)possess a satisfactory knowledge of the functions and duties of local authorities; and

(d)possess a satisfactory knowledge and experience of office organisation

Staff Officer 2018

Format of the Competition

Following the closing date for receipt of completed application forms, Kerry County Council will examine all applications having regard to the requirements as set out above.

Should a candidate’s application be deemed valid they will be considered for interview.

Depending on the number of applications received, shortlisting may apply based on information supplied on the application form.

All posts of Staff Officer arising within the lifetime of any panels formed will be filled from this publicly advertised competition.

Kerry County Council will, following the interview process, form two panels for the post of Staff Officer and 80% of posts filled will be confined to the Common Recruitment Pool with 20% of posts filled by open competition.

Interview

Candidates invited to attend for interview will be expected to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and experience: -

  • Knowledge and understanding of the structures and functions of local government, and of current local government issues
  • Understanding of the role of Staff Officer
  • Relevant administrative experience
  • Experience of supervising staff
  • Experience of working as part of a team
  • Experience of preparing reports and correspondence
  • Strong resource management skills
  • Interpersonal/Communication Skills
  • A strong customer service ethos

Candidates will be assessed and marked on the basis how they demonstrate their knowledge, skills and experience at interview.

Staff Officer 2018

General Information

Kerry County Council will not be responsible for any expense, including travelling expenses, which candidates may incur in connection with their candidature. Candidates will be asked for details of any special requirements which they may have in attending for interview.

Candidates invited to attend for interview may be asked, at any stage of the recruitment process, to supply further documentation in relation to their academic qualifications, employment history, etc.

Any offer of employment will be subject to verification of information provided on the application form, pre-employment medical examination, reference checks, and Garda vetting if appropriate.

An applicant who is found to be ineligible at any stage of the competition will not be further considered. Provision of inaccurate, untrue or misleading information will result in disqualification from the competition, withdrawal of employment offered, or dismissal.

Any attempt by a candidate himself or herself or by any person(s) acting at the candidate’s instigation, directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise, to canvass or otherwise influence in the candidate’s favour, any member of the staff of Kerry County Council or person nominated by Kerry County Council to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidate for the position being sought.

Closing Date

The Application Form is available on Kerry County Council’s website at or on request from

Please be advised that only typed applications received by email and on the official application form will be accepted – appended CVs will not be considered under any circumstances.

Emails, with attached Application Forms should be addressed to and must be received before 5.00pm on Thursday, 01 February 2018.

Please ensure that Staff Officer is referenced in the subject line of the email.

Applicants will receive an initial emailed acknowledgement of their email received, but should note that further emailed correspondence may follow should there be any matters to be attended to in relation to their application. Applicants who do not receive an initial emailed acknowledgement should contact the Human Resources Department, Kerry County Council at tel. no. 066 7183814 / 7183747.

Responsibility for ensuring that applications are received on time rests with the applicant.

KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

IS FOSTAITHEOIR COMHDHEISEANNA Í CHOMHAIRLE CONTAE CHIARRAÍ

Staff Officer 2018