Introduction to Role
Waterford City & County Council is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Waterford City & County Council will, following the interview process, form 2 panels for the post of Assistant Staff Officer (Grade IV) from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. These panels will exist for one year and may be extended for a further period of one year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for inclusion on the following panel(s):
* Panel A (Open Panel)
* Panel B (Confined to current employees of Waterford City & County Council (plus Southern Regional Assembly))
* Panel C (Confined to current employees of the Local Government Sector)
Job description
The Assistant Staff Officer is a key support position within the Council and is assigned to a service delivery area or to support a functional area as required. The Assistant Staff Officer will work under the direction and management of the Staff Officer or analogous grade or other employee designated by the Administrative Officer, Senior Executive Officer or Director of Services as appropriate. The role involves supporting managers and colleagues and working as part of a team in meeting work goals and objectives and delivering quality services to internal and external customers.
Essential Requirements for the Post
* Customer service
* Working effectively as part of a team
* Planning and prioritisation of workloads
* Dealing effectively with conflicting demands
* Working under pressure to tight deadlines
* Adapting to change
* Problem solving
* Administration and report writing
* Operation of ICT systems and standard office software packages
* Project management
* Budget management
* Acting on own initiative
* Ability to communicate effectively across different levels within an organisation
* Maintaining confidentiality
Duties and Responsibilities
* To support the line manager to communicate, implement and manage all change management initiatives within the relevant area of responsibility.
* To support the line manager to ensure the section or department work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council’s Corporate Plan and operational plans.
* To ensure high levels of customer service, responding to queries and requests for information in a professional and courteous and timely manner.
* To communicate and liaise effectively with employees, supervisors and line managers in other sections and customers in relation to operational matters for their section or work area.
* To prepare reports, correspondence and other documents as necessary.
* To provide assistance and support in the delivery of projects as required.
* To supervise employees within their team or programmes of work within their area of responsibility, providing support to team members or colleagues as required.
* To identify opportunities for improvements in the service delivery within the relevant area of responsibility and to use key performance indicators or other performance indicators effectively as appropriate.
* 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.
* Deputise for line manager when required.
* To support the Staff Officer in the management and implementation of Health and Safety for the section or department.
* Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.
Qualifications
Post of Assistant Staff Officer – PANEL A - OPEN
The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has declared that the qualifications for the position of Assistant Staff Officer (Panel A - Open) shall be as set out hereunder.
1. Character
Candidates shall be of good character.
2. 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.
3. Education, Training, Experience, etc.
Each candidate must have, 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 an equivalent examination, or
* (iii) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard, or
* (iv) 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 of Clerical Officer or an analogous post.
4. Age
Each candidate must be under 65 years of age on the latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms for the office if they are deemed not to be new entrants to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. However, the age restriction of 65 years does not apply to "new entrants" to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.
Post of Assistant Staff Officer –
PANEL B (WCCC & SRA) & PANEL C (LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECTOR)
The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has declared that the qualifications for the position of Assistant Staff Officer (Panel B (WCCC & SRA ) & Panel C (Local Government Sector) shall be as set out hereunder.
* Character
* Candidates shall 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, Training, Experience, etc.
* Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms -
* be a serving employee in a local authority, and have not less than two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or an analogous post.
4. Age
Each candidate must be under 65 years of age on the latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms for the office if they are deemed not to be new entrants to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. However, the age restriction of 65 years does not apply to "new entrants" to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.
Desirable requirements
* Knowledge of the structure and functions of local government, of current local government issues, and of the key influences of local government
* An understanding of the role of Assistant Staff Officer
* An understanding of the representational role of the elected members and the need to work with them to deliver quality services and implement policy decisions
* An ability to supervise a team effectively to achieve a common goal, ensuring strong governance and ethics standards are adhered to and maintained
* An ability to motivate and encourage staff under his/her control to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS)
* A career record that demonstrates an ability to supervise staff
* Relevant administrative experience and input to delivery of organisational objectives
* Proven management report writing and analysis skills
* An ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines in the delivery of key operational objectives
The ideal candidate will also:
* Be self motivated with ability to work on own initiative
* Have strong interpersonal and communications skills and be capable of representing the Council in a professional and credible manner with all stakeholders
* Have an awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace
Human Resources Department
Waterford City & County Council
2nd Floor, Civic Offices
Dungarvan
Co Waterford
X35 Y326
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