Senior Staff Officer - Quals & General Information

LIMERICK CITY COUNCIL

SENIOR STAFF OFFICER

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Character

Each candidate must 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 -

(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 at a level not lower than that of Assistant Staff Officer;

(b) have not less than two years satisfactory experience either in that post or at a level not lower than that of Clerical Officer in one of the organisations set out in paragraph (a) above;

(c) have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SUPERANNUATION CONDITIONS:

(i) The office is wholetime, permanent and pensionable. Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). (ii) Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. (iii) All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Gover ment (Spouses and Childrens Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme. - 2 -

Position of serving staff:

The Public Service Superannuation Act 2004 does not change the terms and conditions of public servants who are serving on 31st March 2004. Public servants who are serving on that date should, however, note the provision of section 2(6) of the Act, which deals with the position of serving public servants who subsequently leave the public service.

2. PROBATION:

(a) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold office on probation; (b) Such period shall be one year but the Manager may at his/her discretion extend such period; (c) Such persons shall cease to hold office at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Manager has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

3. DUTIES

The duties of the office shall be to give to the local authority under the direction and supervision of its appropriate officer such services of an executive, supervisory and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers and duties and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be required in relation to the areas of any other local authority.

4. SALARY:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the post shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his inclusive salary) payable to or received by him by virtue of his office or in respect of services which he is required by or under any enactment to perform.

Salary scale: €45,378 - €55,855 (Including Long Service Increments)

5. RECRUITMENT:

Pursuant to article 8 of the Local Government (Appointment of Officers) Regulations, 1974, as amended the Minister has given directions as follows –

(i) The appointment shall be advertised in such a manner as to clearly indicate that the local authority is an equal opportunities employer.

(ii) Selection shall be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of the local authority. - 3 -

(iii) A local authority may decide, by reason of the number of persons seeking admission to the competition, to carry out a shortlisting procedure and admit to the competition only persons who appear to be likely to attain in the competition a standard sufficient for appointment.

(iv) A panel may be formed on the basis of such interview. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the office and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may within the life of the panel be appointed as appropriate vacancies arise.

6. RETIREMENT AGE:

The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 was passed on 25th March, 2004. The Act introduces new retirement provisions for new entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1st April, 2004.

For new entrants there is no compulsory retirement age and 65 is the earliest age at which retirement benefits can be paid.

In all other cases, 60 years is the minimum retirement age, with 65 years being the maximum retirement age.

7. HEALTH:

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo at his/her expense, a medical examination by a qualified medical Practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority. The fee for the medical examination will be refunded to the successful candidate on taking up duty.

8. The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which his duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

9. The local authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if he/she fails to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint him.

OCTOBER, 2007 BRIEFING DOCUMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS FOR SENIOR STAFF OFFICER WITH LIMERICK CITY COUNCIL

Limerick City Council is responsible for the provision of a wide range of services for the people of Limerick City. These include

 Housing for people who cannot provide it fully from their own resources  Road maintenance and provision  Management of traffic flow and enforcement of parking regulations  Promotion of Road Safety  Provision of a fire and rescue service  Provision of a quality water supply and treatment of wastewater  Developing strategic plans for the City’s built environment and applications for development in accordance with these plans  Provision of three libraries in the City and a museum and art gallery

The Council has 17 members elected by the people of the City to develop and approve policies and plans affecting the implementation of the above services.

Underpinning these services are a number of key objectives as set out in our Corporate Plan including

 Improving the image of Limerick  Developing the City in a sustainable way  Strengthening the City as the regional capital of the Mid West  Delivering better value for money through prudent management of our resources  Enhancing our Human Resources  Setting and delivering quality service standards  Working in greater partnership with our communities  Combating social exclusion and reducing marginalisation

The Council is seeking to appoint a Senior Staff Officer in order to strengthen its ability to deliver on the above.

Senior Staff Officers are senior members of staff responsible for the delivery of particular services to the public. Their duties include

 Management of staff  Making decisions in relation to service delivery on a daily basis  Representing the City Council at a variety of meetings  Preparation of reports for Council and other stakeholders  Budget preparation and management of same  Policy formulation

Senior Staff Officers will require in addition to the qualification set out at 3(a) and (b) above

 excellent communication and interpersonal skills  experience of budget preparation and management  people management skills  satisfactory IT skills  satisfactory knowledge and understanding of local government including services, policies, legislation and issues. The successful candidate will be selected by way of competitive interview. Depending on the number of applications it may be necessary to shortlist candidates on the basis of their application.

Candidates at the interview will be assessed and marked on the following areas .Candidates must achieve a 50% mark in each of the competencies listed below in order to be included on any panel formed as a result of the interview process.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND MARKING SCHEME

Education MANAGEMENT SKILLS EXPERIENCE 100 100 100 . Education details . Innovation  Range and depth to be completed of experience to by the Board . People Management date

. Initiative  What has been learned from the . Financial budgeting experience

. Analytical  Application of . Decision making experience to Senior Staff . Judgement Officer position

. Negotiating COMMUNICATIONS / INTERPERSONAL KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL SKILLS GOVERNMENT 100 100

 Positive attitude  Services

 Ability to present points of  Policies view in a clear, distinct and businesslike manner  Issues

 Influencing skills  Legislation

Marking Guideline 100

Unsatisfactory Displays less than effective 0-49 performance based on experience to date and interview

Satisfactory Displays evidence of 50-100 effective/exceptional standard of performance