Clerical Officers

Open competition for appointment to the position of Clerical Officer, permanent and temporary, nationwide in An Garda Síochána.

Closing date is 3 pm, Wednesday 20th September, 2023

Overview of An Garda Síochána

An Garda Síochána is the national police and security service of Ireland with approximately 14,000 Garda Members, 3,350 Garda Staff and 370 Garda Reserves. The mission of An Garda Síochána is ‘Keeping People Safe’. An Garda Síochána is unique among policing services internationally as a unitary body responsible for the security of the State andthe provision of policing services. The two functions are united by an underpinning philosophy: the protection of the individual and the safety of communities. An Garda Síochána is in and of the community and community policing is the key and core to what the organisation does.

Clerical Officer Role

An Garda Síochána seeks to employ permanent Clerical Officers and temporary Clerical Officers nationwide. Following completion of the competition, two panels will be established and they will remain in place for a 2-year period from when the panels are first created.

Responsibilities:

The nature of the work carried out by clerical staff may vary depending on the area of assignment within An Garda Síochána. It will involve such clerical/administrative tasks as may be assigned to the employee from time to time.

The following reflects the typical duties you may be required to undertake, if appointed.

• General clerical and administration duties e.g., filing, photocopying, answering/making telephone calls, dealing with emails etc. under the supervision of a designated manager;
• Supporting line-managers, and colleagues – both Garda Staff and Garda Members;
• Working as part of a team in delivering services;
• The role may involve interacting with the public – communicating and responding to queries and providing information face-to-face, by telephone or via email;
• Providing the highest standards in customer service;
• Using Information Technology on a daily basis, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email and internet;
• Maintaining high quality records in a thorough and organised manner;
• Checking all work thoroughly to ensure it is completed to a high standard;
• Approaching work in a careful and methodical manner, displaying accuracy at all times, even when conducting routine/repetitive work;
• Any other duties deemed appropriate which are relevant to the grade of Clerical Officer.

Person Specification:

The candidate appointed as a Clerical Officer (CO) or Temporary Clerical Officer (TCO) in An Garda Síochána will be an individual of the utmost integrity and ethical values, demonstrating personal drive, commitment and energy. They will foster a culture of ethical behaviour and personal responsibility throughout their areas of responsibility.

Experience/Qualifications Required:

By the closing date of Wednesday 20th of September, 2023, candidates must:

• Have the requisite knowledge, skills and competencies to carry out the role;
• Be capable and competent of fulfilling the role to a high standard;
• Have a good general level of education;
• Be at least 17 years of age before the closing date i.e. born on or before 20th of September, 2006.
• Fulfil citizenship, health & character requirements (see below) and clear Garda Vetting & Security Clearance.

Desirable Requirements:

• Previous relevant work experience, preferably in a customer service office environment;
• Skills/experience in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.

In addition to the above, candidates must also be able to demonstrate the key competencies identified for effective performance at this level.

• Team Work;
• Information Management/Processing;
• Delivery of Results;
• Customer Service & Communication Skills;
• Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self-Development;
• Drive & Commitment to Public Service Values.

Eligibility to compete and certain restrictions on eligibility Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must be: – A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or 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 – A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

Salary The Clerical Officer Salary PPC Scale (rates effective 1st March 2023) is as follows: €519.96, €552.66, €560.96, €577.18, €601.09, €624.97, €648.84, €666.22, €685.91, €708.79, €724.90, €747.54, €770.05, €805.17, €832.78, €845.43

Personal Pension Contribution The PPC pay rate applies when the individual is required to pay a Personal Pension Contribution (otherwise known as a main scheme contribution) in accordance with the rules of their main/personal superannuation scheme. This is different to a contribution in respect of membership of a Spouses’ and Children’s scheme, or the Additional Superannuation Contributions (ASC).

A different rate will apply where the appointee is a civil servant or public servant recruited before 6th April 1995 and who is not required to make a Personal Pension Contribution.

Important Note Entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Different terms and conditions may apply, if, immediately prior to appointment the appointee is already a serving Civil Servant or Public Servant. Increments may be awarded annually subject to satisfactory performance.

To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.

Location Choice

On the application form you may select one location choice. You should only make a location choice where you would be prepared to work if offered an appointment.

• Carlow
• Cavan
• Clare
• Cork
• Donegal
• Dublin
• Galway
• Kerry
• Kildare
• Kilkenny
• Laois
• Leitrim
• Limerick
• Longford
• Louth
• Mayo
• Meath
• Monaghan
• Offaly
• Roscommon
• Sligo
• Tipperary
• Waterford
• Westmeath
• Wexford
• Wicklow

Changes to your location choice will not be permitted after the closing date. Vacancies for which you may be considered will extend only to a city/town in your chosen county. Candidates should be aware that vacancies may not arise in all of the above locations while this panel is active. Once a candidate has been assigned, they are removed from the panel.

Position These panels will be used to fill permanent and/or temporary positions at this grade which may arise during the lifetime of the panels.

Temporary Tenure (Temporary Clerical Officer) Assignments will be to a temporary position. The duration and period of a temporary contract will vary from post to post. There is no entitlement to a permanent position.

The duration of your probation will vary depending on the contract awarded. Probation in most circumstances will amount to 1/3 of the full contract amount. Example: Contract is awarded for 12 weeks – probation will last for 4 weeks.

Notwithstanding the above paragraph on tenure, we retain the right to consider holding a confined Selection Process for permanent appointment to certain positions within the An Garda Síochána in certain limited circumstances.

Any such process will be held in compliance with the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) Code of Practice.

Permanent Tenure and Probation (Clerical Officer) The appointment is to a permanent position on a probationary contract in the Civil Service.

This is a pensionable whole-time position. The probationary contract will be for a period of one year from the date specified on the contract. Notwithstanding this paragraph and the paragraph immediately following below, this will not preclude an extension of the probationary contract in appropriate circumstances.

During the period of your probationary contract, your performance will be subject to review by your supervisor(s) to determine whether you: – Have performed in a satisfactory manner, – Have been satisfactory in general conduct, and – Are suitable from the point of view of health with particular regard to sick leave. – Prior to the completion of the probationary contract a decision will be made as to whether or not you will be retained pursuant to Section 5A(2) Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 – 2005.

This decision will be based on your performance assessed against the criteria set out in (i) to (iii) above. The detail of the probationary process will be explained to you and you will be given a copy of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s guidelines on probation.

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs in this section, the probationary contract may be terminated at any time prior to the expiry of the term of the contract by either side in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 to 2005.

In certain circumstances your contract may be extended and your probation period suspended.

The extension must be agreed by both parties. – The probationary period stands suspended when an employee is absent due to Maternity or Adoptive Leave. – In relation to an employee absent on Parental Leave or Carers Leave, the employee may require probation to be suspended if the absence is not considered to be consistent with the continuation of the probation. – Probation may be suspended in cases such as absence due to a non-recurring illness.

The employee may, in these circumstances, make an application to the employer for an extension to the contract period.

Hours of attendance Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to on average not less than 41 hours 15 minutes’ gross including lunch breaks, or 35 hours’ net per week.

The successful candidate will be required to work such additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of his/her duties subject to the . limits set down in the working time regulations.

Annual Leave The annual leave allowance for this position is 22 days rising to 23 days after 5 years’ service, 24 days after 10 years’ service, 25 days after 12 years’ service and 26 days after 14 years’ service. This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave, is based on a five-day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

The annual leave for the temporary positions will be on a pro rata basis.

Outside Employment The position will be whole time and appointees may not engage in private practice or be . connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Sick Leave Pay during properly certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent disability for service, will apply on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the sick leave circulars.

Officers who will be paying Class A rate of PRSI will be required to sign a mandate authorising the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to pay any benefits due under the Social Welfare Acts directly to the employing Department or Organisation. Payment during illness will be subject to the officer making the necessary claims for social insurance benefit to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection within the required time limits.

You will be required to sign a mandate authorising the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to pay any benefits due under the Social Welfare Acts direct to An Garda Síochána. Payment of salary during illness will be subject to your making the necessary claims for social insurance benefit to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection within the required time limits.

Superannuation and Retirement The successful candidate will be offered the appropriate superannuation terms and conditions as prevailing in the Civil Service at the time of being offered an appointment. In general, an appointee who has never worked in the Public Service will be offered appointment based on membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (“Single Scheme”). Full details of the Scheme are at www.singlepensionscheme.gov.ie.

Where the appointee has worked in a pensionable (non-Single Scheme terms) public service job in the 26 weeks prior to appointment or is currently on a career break or special leave with/without pay different terms may apply. The pension entitlement of such appointees will be established in the context of their public service employment history.

Closing Date

The closing date for receipt of applications is: 3pm Wednesday 20th of September, 2023.

Applications will not be accepted after the closing date.

AS PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS YOU WILL BE ASKED TO ANSWER SOME COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS – WE HAVE A BLOG THAT WILL HELP YOU TO MASTER THESE QUESTIONS – CLICK HERE TO READ IT!

For more information about eligibility and the application process please see information booklet on the An Garda Siochana website – click the APPLY button to go there.