Civil Service- how does one apply?

Mr. Incognito

Sorry, I'm sure this has been asked but search function is down- how does one apply for the civil service?

I had registered on publicjobs years ago but they only seem to send out specific jobs and not graduate recruitment- any one have any idea?

The_Conductor

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

Sorry, I'm sure this has been asked but search function is down- how does one apply for the civil service?

I had registered on publicjobs years ago but they only seem to send out specific jobs and not graduate recruitment- any one have any idea?

There are periodic competitions held to join the civil service (at various grades depending on qualifications and experience). Last time round (about 2-3 years ago) they had over 120 applicants for every available post- gives you an idea how competitive it is. Its highly unlikely that there will be any more competitions for quite some time (possibly years) given the public sector recruitment embargo- and the massive cull they are doing in the civil service.

Its difficult to get into the civil service at the best of times (fewer than 1 in 10 make the cut from the examinations, and then the interview process weeds out many more). It really is a case that you'll have to keep checking back periodically to see if anything has been posted in the interim.

S.

vector

This recruitment embargo is terrible... Jobs do still appear on publicjobs.ie but only top level ones, the days of the competitions for "Clerical Officer (General)" are alas gone

Nolanger

Here's what to do: write to all the local Civil Service buildings in your area asking them for a job as a Services Attendant. This is a low-grade job but a lot of places (such as a dole office) recruit directly. If you get this job you're 'in' and can work your way up through the ranks internally.

The_Conductor

Nolanger wrote: »

Here's what to do: write to all the local Civil Service buildings in your area asking them for a job as a Services Attendant. This is a low-grade job but a lot of places (such as a dole office) recruit directly. If you get this job you're 'in' and can work your way up through the ranks internally.

You can write to your hearts content- but the embargo covers all grades. Even cleaning staff are on strict non-renewable contracts- which as they come up for renewable are outsourced, so as not to impact sanctioned staff numbers.

Unfortunately there really isn't any way around the embargo.

vector

What does a Services Attendent do, all I can find is pay scales and circulars.
Is that like a security guard/handyman?

The_Conductor

vector wrote: »

What does a Services Attendent do, all I can find is pay scales and circulars.
Is that like a security guard/handyman?

Run reception desks, man security, help with manual tasks, postal delivery around buildings- possibly even changing blown light bulbs and any DIY tasks that may come up around a building- in short- a contract would be vague and say something like 'tasks as required' covering all manner of things. Its not an admin job.

Nolanger

"Services Officer Positions
Service Officers are recruited directly by the Department of Transport, where a panel is currently in place. When this expires a new competition will be run."
It's the next grade up after Service Attendant.

the_barfly1

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

how does one apply for the civil service?

The general rule of thumb is that if a member of your family/extended family holds a high ranking position in the civil service/ or is a TD/Co. Councillor, then theres a job there for you if you want it (recruitment embargo or not). If not, dont get your hopes up.
Thats the way it works in my neck of the woods anyway

The_Conductor

the_barfly1 wrote: »

The general rule of thumb is that if a member of your family/extended family holds a high ranking position in the civil service/ or is a TD/Co. Councillor, then theres a job there for you if you want it (recruitment embargo or not). If not, dont get your hopes up.
Thats the way it works in my neck of the woods anyway

This is *not* how it works.
In general- if anyone intercedes on your behalf- personnel officers automatically disqualify that applicant.
It used to be the case that you had every Tom, Dick and Harry getting their local TD to 'put in a good word' on behalf of their application/their childs application- this is why the Public Appointment Service was setup- to remove this source of interferance from the equation.

Re: direct recruitment- all government departments have sanctioned staff ceilings- which are revised on an ongoing basis. Transport and Agriculture have taken massive cuts to their sanctioned numbers (among others) and have also been instructed to identify large numbers of staff for transfer to DSFA. The extension of the early retirement scheme- and a statement that retirement lumpsums, hitherto taxfree, are henceforth to be taxed, is also being used to try to get numbers down 15% (ontop of the normal non-replacement policies).

One thing to remember- the civil service (incl. prison officers) is actually tiny- in comparison the public sector in general- by the end of this year- it will account for less than 9% of the public sector- and falling. This little statistic is rarely acknowledged by the media.

If you are really looking for a public sector job- your chances are far higher elsewhere in the public sector than in the civil service itself- and far better in skilled positions, than in an unskilled position such as Services Officer.

vector

so the civil service is a subset of the public sector?

I thought the two were the same

The_Conductor

vector wrote: »

so the civil service is a subset of the public sector?

I thought the two were the same

Correct.
The civil service is less than 8% of the public sector- and comprises the employees of government departments (but not the Houses of the Oireachtas) and prison officers.