Clerical Officer 2018

Samsgirl

New clerical officer competition is open. Best of luck to everyone.

HydroTendonMan

Here is the link for those interested: https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/?option=com_jobsearch&view=jobdetails&cid=85855

Ygritte

What does DPER mean on the employing authority?

Moving2017

Ygritte wrote: »

What does DPER mean on the employing authority?

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Ygritte

So does that mean it's just that department or is it the whole civil service?

Conqueror

DPER are in charge of recruitment to the civil service, but the competition is for roles across the civil service.

natc

Best of luck to everyone! I got in on the 2016 panel and I love what I’m doing now, have never looked back. Hoping many of you have the same outcome!

HugoMyBoss

natc wrote: »

Best of luck to everyone! I got in on the 2016 panel and I love what I’m doing now, have never looked back. Hoping many of you have the same outcome!

I got in last year 2017, dont think much of it, momey is crap, no benefits, even have to bring in your own mug, teabag, sugar and milk for a brew.

PinkLady2016

I just applied for it now. Although I did apply in 2016 never got an interview so hoping for a better return this time.

Idjit

This is excluding County Dublin. Does anyone know will there be one for Dublin issued separately?

Syndic

Jade182 wrote: »

This is excluding County Dublin. Does anyone know will there be one for Dublin issued separately?

It states in the information booklet that a competition for Dublin may open early 2019.

natc

HugoMyBoss wrote: »

I got in last year 2017, dont think much of it, momey is crap, no benefits, even have to bring in your own mug, teabag, sugar and milk for a brew.

To be fair a lot of jobs don’t supply tea etc to staff. Don’t know why you would assume otherwise.

Money may not be great but realistically for the work you do it’s adequate. Plenty of room for promotion and training in different areas if you want.

I went in to it mainly for the working hours. Flexi time, Monday to Friday is exactly what I wanted with a young family. It’s not always about money.

HugoMyBoss

natc wrote: »

To be fair a lot of jobs don’t supply tea etc to staff. Don’t know why you would assume otherwise.

Money may not be great but realistically for the work you do it’s adequate. Plenty of room for promotion and training in different areas if you want.

I went in to it mainly for the working hours. Flexi time, Monday to Friday is exactly what I wanted with a young family. It’s not always about money.

What areas are these?

I always assumed that work provided tea & coffee etc., all previous jobs did.

natc

HugoMyBoss wrote: »

What areas are these?

I always assumed that work provided tea & coffee etc., all previous jobs did.

Maybe it’s dependent on the department your assigned to but with my local division if you want you can be trained in all the different sections. They offer training courses in various fields, Microsoft packages, customer service, people management, strategic policy making to mention but a few. They will also cover tuition fees for 3rd level courses up front.

Crunchymomma

HugoMyBoss wrote: »

I got in last year 2017, dont think much of it, momey is crap, no benefits, even have to bring in your own mug, teabag, sugar and milk for a brew.

I'm fairness there's good opportunity for promotion also. I came in off 2016 panel and am already an EO. The new campaign for that should open toward the end of this year

Mc Love

Any salary information?

HugoMyBoss

natc wrote: »

Maybe it’s dependent on the department your assigned to but with my local division if you want you can be trained in all the different sections. They offer training courses in various fields, Microsoft packages, customer service, people management, strategic policy making to mention but a few. They will also cover tuition fees for 3rd level courses up front.

Going back to the money issue, do you not find yourself under constant pressure with your day to day job?. I always presummed that the low salary would be offset with benefits. Job training and 3rd level fees are common with a lot of companies.

HugoMyBoss

Mc Love wrote: »

Any salary information?

Around 380 euro a week in hand for a single person.

Subutai

Mc Love wrote: »

Any salary information?

22,879 – 24,375 – 24,756 – 25,498 – 26,592 – 27,684 – 28,777 – 29,869 – 30,931 – 31,995 – 32,743 – 33,795 – 34,840 – 36,471 – 37,753¹ – 38,341²

1= After three years satisfactory service at the maximum.
2= After six years satisfactory service at the maximum

http://www.impact.ie/your-sector/public-sector/civil-service/civil-service-salary-scales/civil-servcie-salary-scales-2017-general-service-grades-full-prsi/

HugoMyBoss

Subutai wrote: »

22,879 – 24,375 – 24,756 – 25,498 – 26,592 – 27,684 – 28,777 – 29,869 – 30,931 – 31,995 – 32,743 – 33,795 – 34,840 – 36,471 – 37,753¹ – 38,341²

1= After three years satisfactory service at the maximum.
2= After six years satisfactory service at the maximum

http://www.impact.ie/your-sector/public-sector/civil-service/civil-service-salary-scales/civil-servcie-salary-scales-2017-general-service-grades-full-prsi/

380 euro extra p.a going from year 2 to 3

Kmhgallagher7

I’m currently number one for Laois from the 2016 panel so am really really hoping that I get a job from that panel as I might not get as far up the list on this one. I was 25th in line for Laois, it was a very slow moving one 😱

Subutai

HugoMyBoss wrote: »

380 euro extra p.a going from year 2 to 3

Welcome to the public sector.

Crunchymomma

CLERICAL OFFICER (PPC)
€23,107 €24,619 €25,004 €25,753 €26,858 €27,961 €29,065 €30,168
€31,241 €32,315 €33,070 €34,133 €35,188 €36,836 €38,131¹ €38,724²

Revised 2018 payscale

To get weekly divide annual by 52.18

natc

HugoMyBoss wrote: »

Going back to the money issue, do you not find yourself under constant pressure with your day to day job?. I always presummed that the low salary would be offset with benefits. Job training and 3rd level fees are common with a lot of companies.

Not really to be honest. I was out of work for 8 years before getting this job so with only one income for a long time we learned to manage. The extra salary from me working now has made a huge difference to us.

I would imagine if your living in or near Dublin trying to live on this salary would be quite tough for most people.

mdwexford

HugoMyBoss wrote: »

I got in last year 2017, dont think much of it, momey is crap, no benefits, even have to bring in your own mug, teabag, sugar and milk for a brew.

Crap compared to what?

€442 a week starting off is more than a lot of people get. If you can get a job that pays more go for it.

Flexi time is a fantastic benefit. Any day you want you can come in at 10am and go home at 4pm. Extra 1.5 days off per month if you work up the time.

Promotion and training opportunities available also. Total job security. Pay rises every single year guaranteed.

El Weirdo

mdwexford wrote: »

Crap compared to what?

€442 a week starting off is more than a lot of people get. If you can get a job that pays more go for it.

Flexi time is a fantastic benefit. Any day you want you can come in at 10am and go home at 4pm. Extra 1.5 days off per month if you work up the time.

Promotion and training opportunities available also. Total job security. Pay rises every single year guaranteed.

Don't forget the restorations that are to be applied between now and 2020. It all adds up.

HugoMyBoss

El Weirdo wrote: »

Don't forget the restorations that are to be applied between now and 2020. It all adds up.

Any more info?, never heard anything about it?

moo23

anybody having hassle downloading the application form ??

gingernut79

moo23 wrote: »

anybody having hassle downloading the application form ??

Make sure your default PDF handler is the latest version of Adobe Reader. I ran into problems with an alternative pdf reader the last time I did one.

clroff

I am another who got in from the 2016 panel. I knew very little about it and put in a lot of research beforehand. I remember some positive and some negative responses. But here's my take on it after a year.

I knew what the pay would be like. It's poor at the start. But I was unemployed at the time so for me it was great. Guaranteed increases each year and I'm really hoping to grab an EO position within about 5 years which would put me over €40k within a few short years, rising eventually to close to €50k.

The first thing I realised was that I wasn't taking work home with me. I'd had a couple of very busy and stressful jobs so it was brilliant to be able to shut off as you're clocking out for the day.
I'm in an office of about 30 people and we have important work to do but it's not a stressful environment. Nobody in there is out to profit from me. Nobody is worried about how much my wages are. Nobody is worried about the future of the office. I found all that very relaxing about the civil service. People from my office are always looking into other jobs (mostly promotions, very few would like to leave) and everyone in the office (including their HEO, AP and PO) are always very supportive. There's no secret if people are looking to change or move like there would be in a lot of private sector jobs.

Flexi time is brilliant. Start work at anytime between 8am and 10am. 7hrs 24mins is a full day. You do clock out for lunch which can be anything between 30mins and 2hrs. Most people take around 30mins. Finish anytime between 4pm and 7pm.
If you're feeling up for it work from 8am to 7pm and benefit from it in the future. If you're not feeling up to it then come in at 10am, take a 2hr lunch at 12.30 and then leave at 4pm. Fill the hours in another time.
If you work up 7hrs24mins in a specified 4 week flexi period you get a day off in the next 4 week period. Work up 11hrs7mins and you get a day and a half.

I'm off Monday, no plans just a long weekend for myself. And I'm off Wednesday week for an appointment and I'll get another few bits done that day too. Both flexi days, no hit on my actual annual leave.

20 days holidays but with flexi time you can potentially add another 18 to that.

Refund of fees. I'm going to study part time for my degree in September and my department will refund the cost (as long as I pass!). Which is going to save me thousands. Another plus.


All in all I'm quite happy with my job. Would I recommend it? It all depends on where you are now. Some will want it to improve their incomes. Some will want it for job security. Some will want it for an improved standard of living. It's entirely up to you.



I see some negativity, including a lack of supplied tea, coffee and cutlery! Yes it's not supplied. Get off your a*se, stop moaning and start a tea kitty. Most of us pay €5 every 5 weeks and get tea, coffee, milk and butter. One of the ladies in the office organised it and it's great.

Yes the pay starts off low. Get off your arse and get an EO position (there will be plenty of them available). Put yourself on €40k+ in a non stressful job with a very good work/life balance within 7/8 years.

Redcat75

Well said @clroff . I did reasonably well on the last one but I had to cancel at the interview stage each time I was called and I was gutted as they passed my place quite quickly , fingers crossed I do as well with getting placed on the board this time put good luck everyone !

Gra08

clroff wrote: »

Refund of fees. I'm going to study part time for my degree in September and my department will refund the cost (as long as I pass!). Which is going to save me thousands.

Not being nosy @clroff but hoping you can help a newbie out! I have just recently got offered a different job in the civil service and I was just wondering if only some departments would refund the cost of a degree course? Or would would I have to be studying a course in an area related to the said department?

Hope that makes sense! I’m new to all these benefits and allowances 🙈 Thanks in advance!

clroff

Gra08 wrote: »

Not being nosy @clroff but hoping you can help a newbie out! I have just recently got offered a different job in the civil service and I was just wondering if only some departments would refund the cost of a degree course? Or would would I have to be studying a course in an area related to the said department?

Hope that makes sense! I’m new to all these benefits and allowances �� Thanks in advance!

I'm no expert in it Gra08. It would have to have some relation to what you're doing and I think it is all down to the Department that you're in.

I forgot to mention that there's (at least) 10 days study leave given per year and you will get exam days off.

doc22

natc wrote: »

Maybe it’s dependent on the department your assigned to but with my local division if you want you can be trained in all the different sections. They offer training courses in various fields, Microsoft packages, customer service, people management, strategic policy making to mention but a few. They will also cover tuition fees for 3rd level courses up front.

what department would CO's be doing that? Most wouldn't entertain fees up front

Kmhgallagher7

Sounds good, I’m
Up for all that. Life could be a whole lot worse.

doc22

clroff wrote: »

I'm no expert in it Gra08. It would have to have some relation to what you're doing and I think it is all down to the Department that you're in.

I forgot to mention that there's (at least) 10 days study leave given per year and you will get exam days off.

it's 5 days and 10 in final year

natc

doc22 wrote: »

what department would CO's be doing that? Most wouldn't entertain fees up front

Dept of Business Enterprise and Innovation. I reckon it’s because of the particular dept itself is so heavily involved in business affairs.

Just got an email the other day, they will pay your fees directly to the institution you want to study in. They give a list of areas that they would fund but are open to any course, pending a review of your application of course.

tringle

Just about to apply, can anyone tell me what is the difference between the public service and the civil service? Thanks

tringle

moo23 wrote: »

anybody having hassle downloading the application form ??

Yep, its just keeps reopening the information booklet for me.
So went through the website and it says to update follow steps one to three for downloading adobe updates....but not giving me that option.
So off to find another computer in the house.

august12

Public service is local authority i.e. County and City Councils, Civil Service is Revenue, Agriculture, Social Welfare, Garda stations, government departments etc. Go with civil service, better promotion opportunities and work/life balance.

tringle

Thanks, I always mix up the two, I worked as a temp with Revenue and thought is was public service.

tringle

tringle wrote: »

Yep, its just keeps reopening the information booklet for me.
So went through the website and it says to update follow steps one to three for downloading adobe updates....but not giving me that option.
So off to find another computer in the house.

Updated and its working now.

morphman

Are the tests done online??

Crunchymomma

morphman wrote: »

Are the tests done online??

Yup, they will send out a link through your messages on public jobs and you have to complete them during usually a three or four day window

OrangeBadger

Apply now hear back in 2020?

Xenji

OrangeBadger wrote: »

Apply now hear back in 2020?

If your in Mayo or Roscommon then probably yes!

OrangeBadger

Xenji wrote: »

If your in Mayo or Roscommon then probably yes!

Good thing I'm in Sligo.....

Crunchymomma

OrangeBadger wrote: »

Apply now hear back in 2020?

Depends on how well you score..... Going off of 2016 timelines though I would say first appointments will start in early 2019. Unless of course this moves significantly faster

Chaos Black

clroff wrote: »

Yes the pay starts off low. Get off your arse and get an EO position (there will be plenty of them available). Put yourself on €40k+ in a non stressful job with a very good work/life balance within 7/8 years.

Hi, on the above - Currently for a new entrant it will take 9 years on the EO scale to hit 40k. For pay rates please see link below:

https://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/per/2017/22.pdf

Your promotion opportunities/training/difficulty of role/work culture is very likely to be office/department dependent and you can realistically expect to move around if you want to climb the grades.

I joined up off the 2016 panel as well. It is a real mixed bag. Generally speaking id say if you have previous work experience and some 3rd level qualification (which you will realistically require to progress in the service) then you could join the private the sector in some role and make more money now.

Their is a reason why the civil service is holding regular competitions.

The pension for EO and below is not gold plated. If I could I would choose not to pay into it. Flexitime is not guaranteed.

Now like I say, it is a mixed bag. It has definite advantages such as job security and opportunity to move around. The latter is economy dependent I think, as I know a good few got stuck in roles for years in the same positions during the recession. They are going for the promotions as well now.

But yeah, no harm in sticking in an application people and going through the process.

Woopsey

Their is a reason why the civil service is holding regular competitions.




They have to replace the panel regularly to ensure they take the best people available aka the top of the panel and enable new people to apply.

Betty10

OrangeBadger wrote: »

Good thing I'm in Sligo.....

I'm applying for the first time, looking for advice about which counties I should apply for to get chance of job - my nearest would be Leitrim but I am an easy commute to either Sligo or Longford.