Irish Prison Service Jobs - PASO 3

shawmor

I had to pay €60 for mine also. I just went by the audiologist approved for my county.

maydream

The person rang the approved audioolgist in Galway and it was Specsavers, it didn't say specsavers on the letter we got just a name..

I think this whole process has been mad.

fingers crossed the panel results come out soon..

Yourwellcum

akelly02 wrote: »

im guessing the fitness test will be handy enough anyway, although looking at the circular, 40 runs 15 metres apart back and forward in 3 and a half minutes sounds hard enough...may try it out and see what times im clocking

The shuttle runs are the only reallly difficult part of the physical. If you are fit
they should be no problem, but my advice for everyone is to get practicing. It would be a shame to get that far and fall at the last hurdle.

akelly02

it seems fairly achievable...i doubt you would have to be super fit to pass, just an average level of fitness should do

ned12

akelly02 wrote: »

it seems fairly achievable...i doubt you would have to be super fit to pass, just an average level of fitness should do

It is very important that you are fit otherwise you may find the c&r training difficult especially when wearing the heavy protective clothing and shield holding tasks

Delancey

ned12 wrote: »

It is very important that you are fit otherwise you may find the c&r training difficult especially when wearing the heavy protective clothing and shield holding tasks

Will PASO's be required to undergo that type of training ? If so, it suggests something a lot more than a mere admin role....

ned12

Delancey wrote: »

Will PASO's be required to undergo that type of training ? If so, it suggests something a lot more than a mere admin role....

If you read between the lines on the following from the circular it is clear that this new grade of officer will be carrying out the duties of a Prison Officer(they call it support duties) the only difference is that they will be paid less but to their advantage they may get a posting to a Prison of their choice anywhere they want in the country while Officers have been waiting years to get their first choice location.

The PASO 3 is a new entry level grade in the Prison Service specifically intended to
carry out the administrative, and support duties required for the operation of a modern
and efficient service. There are three grade levels for the Prison Administration &
Support Officer, starting at Grade 3 and progressing up to Grade 1. In due course,
PASO 3 Officers may have the opportunity to progress their careers in the Prison
Service by seeking promotion from Grade 3 to Grade 2, Grade 2 to Grade 1. In addition,
processes to provide for career progression of the Prison Administration & Support
grades into other grades within the prison system will also be developed.

Yourwellcum

akelly02 wrote: »

it seems fairly achievable...i doubt you would have to be super fit to pass, just an average level of fitness should do

You are correct, but I still suggest a practice run. People do fail because they dont prepare. I have seen it.

V480

Paid 80 euro for my hearing test, I'm reading here that some people got it for free? Seems ridiculous.

Delancey

ned12 wrote: »

If you read between the lines on the following from the circular it is clear that this new grade of officer will be carrying out the duties of a Prison Officer(they call it support duties) the only difference is that they will be paid less but to their advantage they may get a posting to a Prison of their choice anywhere they want in the country while Officers have been waiting years to get their first choice location.

The PASO 3 is a new entry level grade in the Prison Service specifically intended to
carry out the administrative, and support duties required for the operation of a modern
and efficient service. There are three grade levels for the Prison Administration &
Support Officer, starting at Grade 3 and progressing up to Grade 1. In due course,
PASO 3 Officers may have the opportunity to progress their careers in the Prison
Service by seeking promotion from Grade 3 to Grade 2, Grade 2 to Grade 1. In addition,
processes to provide for career progression of the Prison Administration & Support
grades into other grades within the prison system will also be developed.

If the above is correct the question must be asked has the IPS been ' economical with the truth ' or disingenous in the way these PASO positions have been ' marketed ' ?

There seems to be a worrying difference in expectations between the PASO applicants and more experienced Prison Officers. Clearly some PASO applicants see their role as office-based with minimal contact with prisoners , which means that if required to undertake C&R training to Prison Officer standard many trainees will be in for a nasty shock.

Anyone agree ?

kiersm

If the above is correct the question must be asked has the IPS been ' economical with the truth ' or disingenous in the way these PASO positions have been ' marketed ' ?

There seems to be a worrying difference in expectations between the PASO applicants and more experienced Prison Officers. Clearly some PASO applicants see their role as office-based with minimal contact with prisoners , which means that if required to undertake C&R training to Prison Officer standard many trainees will be in for a nasty shock.

Anyone agree ?

I completely agree with this. When I applied for this post I didnt even remotely begin to think that we would be expected to "support" PO's in any other way than in an office in an admin role.

But in saying that the PO's who have posted on this thread have prevented me from making a mistake at least for me anyways. So thanks for that

I expected a certain amount of training but nothing like what they expected us to do, least of which the hearing & medical.

ned12

Delancey wrote: »

If the above is correct the question must be asked has the IPS been ' economical with the truth ' or disingenous in the way these PASO positions have been ' marketed ' ?

There seems to be a worrying difference in expectations between the PASO applicants and more experienced Prison Officers. Clearly some PASO applicants see their role as office-based with minimal contact with prisoners , which means that if required to undertake C&R training to Prison Officer standard many trainees will be in for a nasty shock.

Anyone agree ?

I think at the start they will be in mainly admin. roles but they will end up in other posts. I can't give a time frame for this .This new grade does not seem to have been clearly informed of what lies ahead for them which is unfair on them when you consider they will be giving up their current working arrangements to transfer to a rigid and more dangerous working environment for a pay rise that does not amount to much after all of the deductions.

Rawhead

The support part of the title will be the word that covers PASO's working in roles outside the office. Anyone who believes that PASO's will not be covering non confrontational posts within a year is delusional and I firmly believe that they will be doing full PO roles within 3/5 years.

This is a complete carbon copy of the auxiliary officers recruited in the north after 1995. Oh, and anyone who believes the union won't let this happen, I have a bag of beans you might be interested in

I am also surprised at the amount of naivety shown by the civil servants here, maybe your management and unions are still good to their word and tell the truth, but you are in for a shock if you think the IPS works like that.

Do you really think they will invest time and money in training you up for a year, only for you to say "I don't like this, I want to go back to my old job".

I and other PO's here are not trying to dissuade you from joining, but it seems obvious that some of you are believing the brochure a little to much and need to know the reality. Speaking of brochures, they didn't happen to show ye one of a family walking down a beach?

Delancey

Is it a definite that PASO's will do C&R training ?

Given that so many PO's have been waiting literally years for transfer to another prison might PASO's getting their first choice not be a source of , ahem...' strong feelings ' on the subject ?

shawmor

Delancey wrote: »

Is it a definite that PASO's will do C&R training ?

Given that so many PO's have been waiting literally years for transfer to another prison might PASO's getting their first choice not be a source of , ahem...' strong feelings ' on the subject ?

I don't think they clarified this yet. All we have been told is, that if successful training will be 6 weeks in Beladd. What training consists of I don't know.

Also our job role hasn't exactly been set in stone either. I'm nearly positive it stated on circulars duties MAY include, so I would take this as an indication that it could be more than the examples that were given.

senordingdong

Delancey wrote: »

Is it a definite that PASO's will do C&R training ?

Not yet. I agree with the other POs that it's inevitable but I think they might be considering it incase of an absolute last resort type scenario.

Rawhead wrote:

but it seems obvious that some of you are believing the brochure a little to much and need to know the reality.

Come on, don't be so hard on them, you know full well how creative they can be with the truth.

Yourwellcum

Delancey wrote: »

Is it a definite that PASO's will do C&R training ?

Given that so many PO's have been waiting literally years for transfer to another prison might PASO's getting their first choice not be a source of , ahem...' strong feelings ' on the subject ?

I think it is a definite that they will be doing C+R training. I am open to correction here but I dont think they would be allowed work in the prison and be unescorted without it.

akelly02

does anyone know has the order of merit have anything got to do with the medical i.e. i have to go to the CMO next week will this delay in recieving the order of merit? and does this order of merit actually mean anything?

shawmor

Order of merit is based on your interview, as far as I'm aware.

akelly02

does this make any difference as to whether you get the job or not??

casher123

akelly02 wrote: »

does anyone know has the order of merit have anything got to do with the medical i.e. i have to go to the CMO next week will this delay in recieving the order of merit? and does this order of merit actually mean anything?

Good question I think the order of merit is based on interview.However it would stand to reason that you wouldn't get on the panel if you didn't pass the medical therefore I don't think the order of merit won't be out until everyone has attended the cmo.Also for those that haven't been called to the cmo what is the situation I wonder?

akelly02

if they havnt been called to the cmo id say they are laughing. the just need to pass the physical and thats it...i dont know how they will have the order of merit out by tomorrow......

ned12

akelly02 wrote: »

does this make any difference as to whether you get the job or not??

Normally if they have 20 places in a class to fill and every thing is in order including your security clearance they will start from the top of the list that has met the above criteria and when they have 20 places filled they will stop contacting people until they need another class . Normally first in has first choice as to what Prison they may wish to be based second in has 2nd choice etc.So it is important to come high up so you will get the Prison that you want for example it won't be much fun living in Dublin for years regarding costs alone on this low pay rate if you are from cork.

akelly02

that makes sense, just hoping nobody wants portlaoise so!!

fly.on.the.wall

It's very simple. The interview was conducted to establish an order of merit in which you'll be dealt with. Best people will be offered training first provided you've passed all your medical assessment. If medical issues arise, you'll be passed over. You have a year to pass your physical and I've got a feeling this will be conducted in the 6 wk training and not before. The order of merit will also decide when you do the training. As you can understand beladd house can only take so many at a time. Training will therefore be in batches. Again your batch will be decided from your order of merit.

maydream

akelly02 wrote: »

that makes sense, just hoping nobody wants portlaoise so!!

Lets hope only you and I only want Portlaoise! lol

shawmor

maydream wrote: »

akelly02 wrote: »

that makes sense, just hoping nobody wants portlaoise so!!

Lets hope only you and I only want Portlaoise! lol

I've got a feeling Portlaoise is the choice for a lot of people!

maydream

shawmor wrote: »

I've got a feeling Portlaoise is the choice for a lot of people!

Oh god :eek:

akelly02

haha ah there shouldnt be too many. theres over 20 posts as far as im aware. i hope it only the 2 of us tho:D

maydream

akelly02 wrote: »

haha ah there shouldnt be too many. theres over 20 posts as far as im aware. i hope it only the 2 of us tho:D

ha ha Hopefully!