Administrative officer

CANDIDATE INFORMATION BOOKLET(Please read carefully)Post of:Administrative Officer (Grade VII)Panel A: Confined to Local Authority Sector EmployeesPanel C: Confined to Leitrim County Council EmployeesClosing Date: 4:00 pm on Thursday, 5th March 2026Important NotesCompleted Application Form (inclusive of all other required documentation)must be emailed in PDF Format as One Single Document (not individualscanned documents) to Please quote 'Administrative Officer Application' followed by yourname in the subject line of the email.Note: Hard copy Application Forms will not be acceptedGeneral Information:County Leitrim, located in the North-West of Ireland, has a growing economy, picturesque landscape, vibrantcommunities and a strong arts and cultural sector. Leitrim County Council's vision is to build an economicallystrong, creative, inclusive county, making Leitrim the best place to live, work, invest and visit. Key to theachievement of our priorities and objectives is a skilled and committed workforce, supported by enablingtechnologies, efficient work processes and learning and development opportunities. We are committed tothe training, support and encouragement of our staff and we offer benefits across family friendly initiatives,personal development and wellbeing of staff.The Role:The Administrative Officer is a middle management supervisory position in the Local Authority and isassigned responsibility for the development and management of one or more departments or services withinthe Council or alternatively the successful candidate may be assigned to a developmental and/or projectmanagement role/duties (eg. economic regeneration, community development etc), working closely withrelevant internal and external stakeholders, including responsibility for project development and delivery.He/She will be responsible for the efficient management, direction and deployment of assigned resources forthe department, service or work area to which they are assigned and will generally work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within one of the Local Authority Directorates, and in collaboration with a range of internaland external stakeholders and/or partner agencies/organisations as appropriate to deliver a broad anddiverse range of services including planning, economic and enterprise development, community and socialdevelopment, housing, recreation, amenity and cultural services, environmental services, transportation andinfrastructure, emergency services and corporate support services etc.The Administrative Officer is responsible for day-to-day operations and management of one or more sectionsor units or multiple work streams within the local authority and is the primary point of contact and liaisonwith other internal sections and external bodies in relation to service delivery for their area of responsibility.He/She is also a contributor to the strategic and policy making decisions of the Council and will be expectedto contribute to the development and implementation of forward-thinking strategies within the localauthority and to work closely with senior management, elected representatives, external agencies andrelevant stakeholders in delivering services to the highest standard. The Administrative Officer may representthe Council on committees and at meetings and may be asked to report on progress in his/her respectivesection(s) at Council meetings, Municipal District meetings, Strategic Policy Committee meetings,Interagency meetings etc.The role requires excellent management, administrative, interpersonal, communication, research, reporting,project initiation, development and delivery skills, budgetary and timescale management, and otherparticular skills and expertise depending on assignment. The post holder will be expected to carry out theirduties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making.The Administrative Officer will generally work under the direction and management of the Senior ExecutiveOfficer, and/or Director of Services or analogous grade as appropriate and will, from time to time, be requiredto deputise for senior personnel and must be willing to take on this challenge.Panel Information and Eligibility:In accordance with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement, the following procedure willapply to the recruitment of clerical and administrative Grade IV to Grade VII posts in Leitrim County Council:Panel A - 50% Confined to the Local Authority SectorPanel C – 20% Confined to Employees of Leitrim County CouncilLeitrim County Council will, following the recruitment and interview process, form two panels from whichfuture relevant vacancies may be filled during the lifetime of the panels.Panel A – Confined to the Local Authority SectorThis will comprise of successful candidates in order of merit serving in a local authority or Regional Assembly(where applicable)Panel C – Confined to current employees of Leitrim County CouncilThis will comprise of successful candidates in order of merit who are currently working in Leitrim CountyCouncil.Management reserves the right, at its absolute discretion, to use Panel C – Confined to current employees ofLeitrim County Council to fill Acting Administrative Officer positions that may arise during the lifetime of thepanel.The Qualifications:1. CharacterEach candidate shall be of good character.2. HealthEach candidate shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to renderregular and efficient service.3. CitizenshipCandidates for any of the above panels 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 EuropeanUnion, 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 freemovement 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 familymember 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 EEAmember state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.4. Education, Training, Experience etc.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.and(ii) Have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experiencein work of an executive nature, office organization and control of staff.Candidates must also hold a current valid and unendorsed driving licence in respect of category Bvehicles or equivalent in the EU Model Driving Licence and must advise if this is not the case. A copy ofLicence must be submitted with your application.The Ideal Candidate shall have:• Have knowledge of the structure and functions of local government, of current local government issues,future trends and strategic direction of local government and an understanding of the role ofAdministrative Officer in this context;Have an understanding of organisation policies and implementation of such policies, as applicable to aPublic Body;Have a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services and be willing to take on achallenge;Be highly motivated and have excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including the ability tofacilitate, network, lead, research, negotiate, analyse, and resolve issues;Have strong organizational and project management skills;Have the ability to develop forward thinking vision in regard to their assigned responsibilities along withstrong ability to initiate, develop and deliver relevant projectsHave an ability to foster and maintain productive working relationships within the organisation and witha range of relevant stakeholders externally;Be capable of working in close co-operation with the elected Council, the Strategic Policy Committeesand other Council Departments while being able to seek co-operation and consensus from a wide rangeof bodies and representative groups;Be able to work within, and where necessary lead, multi-disciplined teams and have the ability tomotivate, empower and encourage employees to achieve maximum performance;Have the ability to plan and prioritise work effectively, to work under pressure to tight deadlines and totake a strategic approach in the formulation and delivery of key policy objectives;Have a career record that demonstrates a high level of competence in the management of staff;Demonstrate relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level including strong report writingand interpretation skills;Have the ability to manage financial resources within a budgetary control framework;Have good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implicationsfor the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace;Have an understanding of the role and duties of managers in safety management in the workplace;Be able to deputise at a senior level.Competencies for the Post:Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstratesufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take particularnote of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be basedon the information provided by candidates:Management & • Ability to think and act strategically to ensure functional responsibility isChange properly aligned with corporate policies and strategies.Clear understanding of political reality and context of the local authority.Awareness of current local government issues, priorities, concerns and futuredirection.Ability to translate corporate policies and objectives into operational plans andoutputs.Develops and maintains positive and productive professional relationshipsboth internally and externally to the local authority.Effectively manages change, fosters a culture of creativity in employees andovercomes resistance to change.Delivering Results • Develops operational and team plans having regard to corporate priorities,operational objectives and available resources.Acts decisively and makes timely, informed and effective decisions and showsgood judgement and balance in making decisions and recommendations.Ability to initiate, develop and deliver programmes and projects and to work tostrict deadlines.Allocates resources effectively to deliver on operational plans.Pinpoints critical information and addresses issues logically.Establishes high quality service and customer care standards.Identifies and achieves efficiencies.Ensures compliance with legislation, regulation and procedures.Leading, • Ability to build and lead a positive, diverse and productive section/ unit /teamMotivating and effectively.Managing • Leads, motivates and engages employees and stakeholders to achieve qualityPerformance results and to deliver on operational plans and objectives.Strong organisational skills including meeting facilitation and administration.Effectively manages performance and identifies and manages conflict.Understands effective communications and actively listens to others.Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and effective verbal and writtencommunication skills.Ability to foster and maintain productive working relationships within theorganisation and with relevant stakeholders externally.Personal • Relevant management and administrative experience at a sufficiently highEffectiveness level.Understanding of the structures and environment within which the localauthority sector operates and the varied role of the Administrative Officer in thiscontext.Takes initiative and is creative in approaching the delivery of objectives.Maintains a positive, constructive and enthusiastic attitude to the role.Manages time and workload effectively and remains calm under pressure.Understands the importance of corporate governance.Commitment to integrity & good public service values.Political awareness.The Principal Terms and Conditions:The Office is wholetime, permanent and pensionable.Management reserves the right, at its absolute discretion, to use Panel C – Confined to current employees ofLeitrim County Council to fill Acting Administrative Officer positions (temporary positions) that may ariseduring the lifetime of the panel.1. DutiesThe duties of the office are to give to the local authority and(a) Such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the LocalGovernment Acts, is Chief Executive, and(b) to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority orby any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph,under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other officers as the Chief Executivemay from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an administrative, executive, supervisory,advisory and ancillary nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers, dutiesand functions as may be delegated to him or her by the Chief Executive from time to time and shall includethe duty of deputizing for other officers of the local authority.The main duties and responsibilities of the Administrative Officer may include but are not limited to:Managing one or more sections or departments within the Council and implementing the strategic andpolicy making decisions of the local authority.Ensuring that section or department work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council'sstrategies and objectives for the overall development of the County outlined in various corporate plansand strategies.Identifying opportunities for improvements in the service delivery within the relevant area ofresponsibility and to use key performance indicators or other performance indicators effectively asappropriate.Initiating, developing and delivering relevant projects and work and evaluating their success relevant tovarious strategies and plans e.g. Local Economic and Community Plan, Leitrim County Council CorporatePlan.Conducting research, analysis, planning, and evaluation as required.Engaging effectively and working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders in thedevelopment and implementation of relevant projects and initiatives.Preparing of budgets and responsibility for the day-to-day financial management of capital andoperational expenditure in the department or section, including maximising funding opportunities whereappropriate and ensuring all available funding is availed of, drawn down and recouped within appropriatetime frames.Managing and supervising employees in supporting roles up to the position/grade of Senior Staff Officer(Grade VI) or analogous grades, including assigning duties and workload.Providing on-going support to employees in the department or section, including handling day to dayproblems and identifying training and development requirements as appropriate.Ensuring full compliance with all organisational policies and procedures including grievance anddisciplinary, performance management and attendance management.Communicating and liaising effectively with employees, managers in other sections, senior managers,customers and elected representatives in relation to operational matters for their section.Researching, analysing, disseminating and communicating essential information on specific issues andpolicies as appropriate.Compiling, preparing and presenting reports as necessary, including the preparation of reports or letters,which may be sensitive and/or confidential in nature.Ensuring that department or section operations are in compliance with all Council policies, procedures,practices and standards and in compliance with the principles of good governance, legislativerequirements and Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government circulars andguidance.Implementing good practices with transparent reporting and communications to deliver accountableservices in the department or section.Providing assistance in the understanding and interpretation of the Council's policies and procedures toemployees in their area of responsibility and to customers as appropriate.Promoting awareness of the Local Authority's policies and activities on community, social, economic andinfrastructure development.Carrying out duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decisionmaking.Developing and maintaining a productive working relationship with all external agencies, bodies, electedrepresentatives and committee members, including appropriate information provision and assistancewhen required.Promoting co-ordination and integration of service delivery between local government, voluntary, publicsector and local development bodies operating within the local authority area, especially in relation tocross-sectoral interests, community and business interests.Assisting with the development, implementation and review of appropriate strategies/plans/policies forthe development of the local authority area which may include relevant research, consultation andinteraction with the statutory, local development and social partners.Representing the local authority on committees and at meetings, including Council, Municipal District andStrategic Policy Committee meetings and reporting on progress in his or her respective section ordepartment.Organising and facilitating internal and external meetings and participating and engaging in discussionsas appropriate.Supporting the Council and Municipal District operations.Carrying out duties in a politically neutral manner, with a clear understanding of the political reality andcontext of the local authority.Providing specialist administrative assistance and support in the delivery of projects as required.Managing and implementing Health and Safety for the section or department.Deputising for the Senior Executive Officer or analogous grade as required.Undertaking any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required, or assigned, fromtime to time.2. SalaryThe salary scale for the post of Administrative Officer, applicable from 1st February 2026, is within therange:€60,611 - €62,095 - €63,826 - €65,563 - €67,300 - €68,852 - €70,442 –€71,982 - €73,518 - €76,149 (LSI1) - €78,795 (LSI2)Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with relevant Departmental Circulars. Offers ofappointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum ofthis scale.The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shallpay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or receivedby them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under anyenactment to perform.3. ResidenceThe holder of the post shall reside in the district in which his or her duties are to be performed or within areasonable distance thereof and will be required to serve in the Local Authority's Offices, or whereverassigned by the Local Authority.Leitrim County Council reserves the right to, at any time, re-assign an employee to any Department nowor in the future. Leitrim County Council reserves the right to, at any time, assign an employee to anypremises in use by the Council now or in the future.4. ProbationAll contracts will be subject to a probationary period, during which the performance of the successfulapplicant will be regularly evaluated.Where a person is permanently appointed to Leitrim County Council the following provisions shall apply:(a) There shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the positionon probation;(b) Such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may, at his/her discretion, extend such period;(c) Such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during thisperiod the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory;(d) There will be ongoing assessments during the probationary period.Employment may be terminated by either party during probation or at the end of the probationary periodon one week's notice.5. Health:For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for each successfulcandidate, before he/she is appointed to a permanent position, to undergo a medical examination by aqualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.6. Annual LeaveThe annual leave entitlement for this post will be 30 days per annum. Annual leave year is aligned to thecalendar year.7. Working HoursThe standard working week will be 35 hours, Monday to Friday. The role may require flexibility aroundworking hours, and evening and weekend work may arise.The Council reserves the right to alter hours of work from time to time.All hours worked will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation ofWorking Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations Leitrim CountyCouncil requires employees to record their hours worked using a clocking system.8. SuperannuationAll new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after 1 January 2013 will be members ofthe Single Public Service Pension Scheme.All members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be required to contribute 3.5% of netpensionable remuneration plus 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sums formember of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be based on career-average pay; pensions willbe co-ordinated with the State Pension Contribution Scheme.Persons who are pensionable under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme1998, and are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution, will be required in respect ofsuperannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of socialinsurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependantor qualified children). You will also be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses andChildrens' Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% ofpensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate ofPRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her superannuation to contribute to the local authorityat the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. You may also be required to pay Spouses andChildren/Widows and Orphans contributions at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration.9. Retirement AgeThe Single Public Service Pension Scheme ("Single Scheme") as provided by the Public Service Pensions(Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 commenced with effect from 1st January 2013. The actintroduced new retirement provisions for new entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1stJanuary 2013, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of morethan 26 weeks.Retirement age will be in line with the age of eligibility for the State Pension Contributory (SPC).Compulsory Retirement Age will be 70.There is no mandatory retirement age for "new entrants" to the public service as defined in the PublicService Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.Anyone who is "not a new entrant" to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, had been subject to a compulsory retirement age of 65 years – thePublic Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018 provides for an increase in the compulsoryretirement age of most pre-2004 public servants from age 65 to age 70.10.Pension AbatementIf an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitledto, or in receipt of, a pension from the Civil or Public Service, or where a Civil/Public Service pension comesinto payment during the appointee's re-employment, that pension will be subject to abatement inaccordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.Please note: In applying for this position, you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatementprovisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/Office/Body willsupport an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.11. Driving Licence/TravelHolders of the post may from time to time be required to travel in the course of their duties and for thispurpose they shall possess a current unendorsed full driving licence (Category B) and, shall drive a motorcar in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of thelocal authority. The post holder's Insurance policy must cover such use and must indemnify LeitrimCounty Council.Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid in accordance with nationally agreed rates applicable in thesector.12. Garda VettingThe successful candidate may be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures in line with the provisions of theNational Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 as appropriate in advance ofappointment and on a periodic basis thereafter for the duration of their employment.13. Outside EmploymentThe position is whole-time and the employee may not engage in private practice or be connected withany outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.14. Data ProtectionPlease note that the information received is used solely for the purpose of considering your application.Such information held is subject to the rights and obligations set out in the Data Protection Acts, 1988,2003 & 2018 and EU Regulation 2016/679.SELECTION PROCESS(i) Selection shall be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of the localauthority.(ii) Leitrim County Council reserves the right to shortlist applications on the basis of information supplied onthe application form, and only those shortlisted will be called for interview.(iii) Candidates called for interview will be assessed on the competencies for the post as set out above.(iv) Two Panels may be formed on the basis of such interviews. Candidates whose names are on a panel(s)and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the position and thatthey are otherwise suitable for appointment may, within the life of the panel, be appointed to this post.The life of the panels will not be more than one year from the date of formation of the panels.(v) The local authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up suchappointment within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the appointmentwithin such period or longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, thelocal authority shall not appoint them.All applications must be made on the official Application Form whichare available to download on LeitrimCounty Council's website or alternatively, contact the Human Resources Department byemailing Completed Application Forms, inclusive of all required documentation, must be submitted in PDFFormat as ONE Single Document (not individual scanned documents) via email.CLOSING DATE:Closing date for receipt of applications is 4:00 pm on Thursday, 5th March 2026 via email to Applications received after this date and time will not be considered.Please quote 'Administrative Officer Application' followed by your name in the subject line of the email.Candidates will receive an automatic acknowledgement when they submit their application form to theabove email. You should check your Spam/Junk Folders in the event that you do not receive thisacknowledgement. The onus is on the candidate to ensure that their application has been received andacknowledged.The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that their application form is received by the HumanResources Department of Leitrim County Council on time as outlined above. Candidates should ensure thatthey give themselves sufficient time to allow for any unforeseen circumstances which may arise and whichmay impact on their application form not being received on time.NOTES: Applicants are reminded that any attempt by themselves or by any persons acting on their behalf directly or indirectly bymeans of written communication or otherwise to canvass or otherwise influence in the applicants favour any employee of theCounty Council or persons nominated by the Chief Executive to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify theapplicant for the position they are seeking.Leitrim County Council is an equal opportunities employer.