Local Authority Grade 4 Assistant Staff Officer positions

Tisserand

Just looking for some advice. I have been shortlisted for interview for an Assistant Staff Officer (Grade 4) position in a Local Authority through an open competition, as opposed to an internal competition. I don't know anybody working in a local authority and am wondering what type of duties does a person at this grade undertake.

There was a document of 'qualifying criteria' accompanying the application form but it is not clear as to what duties the post involves apart from undertaking duties as assigned by the local authority and deputising for other officers.

Does anybody know if this role is the first rung of the management ladder, does it involve any supervisory or delegatory tasks and what questions would I be likely asked at my interview?

Any help would be appreciated.

Zipppy

Grade IV along with Grade 111 clerical officer are entry level positions in Local authorities.

In other words it's a Junior role...mainly admin, secretarial, customer service type role.

Depending on location there could be some supervision of clerical officers.. Unlikely though.

Interview will be a competency based interview...if you haven't done one before search on here or google it....

Tisserand

Zipppy wrote: »

Grade IV along with Grade 111 clerical officer are entry level positions in Local authorities.

In other words it's a Junior role...mainly admin, secretarial, customer service type role.

Depending on location there could be some supervision of clerical officers.. Unlikely though.

Interview will be a competency based interview...if you haven't done one before search on here or google it....

Only seeing your post now and many thanks for your advice. Will google some more!
T

Zipppy

Tisserand wrote: »

Only seeing your post now and many thanks for your advice. Will google some more!
T

Did job advertisement / notification of interview note essential competancies required?

Tisserand

Zipppy wrote: »

Did job advertisement / notification of interview note essential competancies required?

The only duties outlined are as I posted in my OP i.e. duties as assigned by the Local Authority and deputising for other officers. This is a Grade 4 position and I know there is a Grade 3 Clerical Officer position whose duties would be mainly clerical and administrative, that's why I am curious if the Grade 4 position entails more supervisory and delegatory responsibilities.

jellybeans

Hi I have an upcoming interview as assistant staff officer and was wondering how you got on? I was told id be assessed under the following


Education
Experience
Interpersonal Skills
Team Working Skills
General Suitability

Im finding it hard to prepare for 'General Suitability' and was wondering could you offer and advice that may help, thanks...also were you successful?

Boozybee

I'm also doing a grade 4 interview after getting past a fairly sticky preliminary interview. Would love to hear how ye got on??

Zipppy

Boozybee wrote:

I'm also doing a grade 4 interview after getting past a fairly sticky preliminary interview. Would love to hear how ye got on??

Why was preliminary interview 'sticky' ?

Boozybee

Sticky in the sense that I had prepared for a competency based interview but instead got a pop quiz. How much taken in by rates, how do they strike a rate, how budget formulated, what is voluntary housing, what are the different types? Etc I had a fair idea but was a little surprised by the nature of the interview wasn't asked once about myself or anything I had put in my application. Except why I left a permanent civil service job after 9 months to take on job in an insurance company. The questions were fired out fairly quickly I stopped to take a sip of water at one stage and interviewer just moved on to the next question!! Was just a bit rattled after it but did enough to make the next round. Don't know what to expect for the next one I suppose will try and have every angle covered.

Creol1

Boozybee wrote: »

Sticky in the sense that I had prepared for a competency based interview but instead got a pop quiz. How much taken in by rates, how do they strike a rate, how budget formulated, what is voluntary housing, what are the different types? Etc I had a fair idea but was a little surprised by the nature of the interview wasn't asked once about myself or anything I had put in my application. Except why I left a permanent civil service job after 9 months to take on job in an insurance company. The questions were fired out fairly quickly I stopped to take a sip of water at one stage and interviewer just moved on to the next question!! Was just a bit rattled after it but did enough to make the next round. Don't know what to expect for the next one I suppose will try and have every angle covered.

Was the "pop quiz" interview flagged as a competency-based interview with them telling you they'd ask you about Education, Experience, etc., or not? I've got an interview for CO coming up and I'm wondering to what extent I should prepare for being asked about all that stuff.

Boozybee

It was flagged as competency but one of the competencies is knowledge of local authority legislation services etc. If I was doing a co interview have a look at the relevant local authority corporate plan and annual report just to get a sense of what they do. I doubt at co level they would expect knowledge of legislation but definitely know what services they provide in each of the sections. And maybe know the overall budget - that will be on their website. Hth. Good luck.

Creol1

Boozybee wrote: »

It was flagged as competency but one of the competencies is knowledge of local authority legislation services etc. If I was doing a co interview have a look at the relevant local authority corporate plan and annual report just to get a sense of what they do. I doubt at co level they would expect knowledge of legislation but definitely know what services they provide in each of the sections. And maybe know the overall budget - that will be on their website. Hth. Good luck.

Yeah, I've been doing some research along those lines. Thank you.

MBW

Hi, I expect to be called for assistant staff officer interview before Xmas for Limerick City & County Council.
Jellybeans:- how did your ASO interview go? Any tips on what to cover & the questions you were asked would be great.
If anyone else has any info or tips please post, I won't have much time to prepare so I want to concentrate on the relevant things. TIA.

MBW

Hi, I expect to be called for assistant staff officer interview before Xmas for Limerick City & County Council.
Jellybeans:- how did your ASO interview go? Any tips on what to cover & the questions you were asked would be great.
If anyone else has any info or tips please post, I won't have much time to prepare so I want to concentrate on the relevant things. TIA.

mzn

MBW wrote: »

Hi, I expect to be called for assistant staff officer interview before Xmas for Limerick City & County Council.
Jellybeans:- how did your ASO interview go? Any tips on what to cover & the questions you were asked would be great.
If anyone else has any info or tips please post, I won't have much time to prepare so I want to concentrate on the relevant things. TIA.

Any updates ? did you take the job and what questions they asked you ?