The Senior Staff Officer is a key middle management position within the local authority, responsible for supporting the delivery of services and the effective management of a functional area or section. The Senior Staff Officer typically reports to an Administrative Officer or equivalent grade and serves as an important link between senior management and frontline service delivery. The role operates within a five-tier administrative structure comprising Clerical Officer, Assistant Staff Officer, Staff Officer, Senior Staff Officer, and Administrative Officer.
The post holder is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of a section or service area, ensuring that organisational objectives are achieved efficiently and effectively. This includes supervising and supporting staff, planning and allocating work, monitoring performance, and ensuring that services are delivered to a high standard in line with Council policies and objectives.
The role requires the ability to lead and motivate teams, lead and manage change, manage resources effectively, and contribute to service improvement initiatives. A Senior Staff Officer may also represent their department or the Council on internal and external working groups, committees, and projects, and will contribute to business planning, policy implementation, and the achievement of strategic goals.
Working in a dynamic and evolving local government environment, the Senior Staff Officer is expected to demonstrate initiative, flexibility, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The role requires strong administrative, organisational, communication, and people management skills, together with the ability to manage change, embrace new technologies, and support the implementation of new ways of working to enhance service delivery.
The ideal candidate will be a motivated and collaborative leader with a strong commitment to public service, proven supervisory experience, and the ability to deliver results through effective team management and stakeholder engagement.
CONFINED COMPETITION (PANEL A & C – Local Authority Sector and Clare County Council)
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
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, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms -
be a serving employee of a local authority or a regional assembly and have not less than two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous post,
and
have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff.
- Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.
OPEN COMPETITION (PANEL B)
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
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, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms -
have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four 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 subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics),
OR
have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination,
OR
hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard.
AND
have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff.
Failure to upload proof of essential educational qualifications in your application form will deem you ineligible for this competition.
- Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.
Failure to input and upload proof of essential criteria in your application form will deem you ineligible for this competition.
