Administrative Officers 2018 in the Civil Service

November Golf

Administrative Officer 2018 in the Civil Service - Nationwide

The Administrative Officer (AO) is the main graduate recruitment grade for the Civil Service and provides successful candidates with the opportunity to progress to middle management. As an AO, you would have a crucial role in policy and strategy formulation across the spectrum of economic, financial, international, environmental and social issues.

On this occasion the Civil Service is recruiting people who possess particular qualifications, skills and competencies in the following areas:

1. Human Resources
2. Business/Finance
3. Industrial and Employee Relations
4. General

Please see information booklet for eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Closing Date: 3pm on Thursday 11th October 2018

https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/index.php?option=com_jobsearch&view=jobdetails&Itemid=263&cid=99158

Aisling(",)

Application is a grand one. Only your qualifications and work experience!
Still have to have competancies for the interview handy not to have to agonise over the examples before you've even sat the psychometric tests.

tgdaly

Just submitted my application. Good luck to all. Another long process ahead!

Piglet85

Interesting. I was successful in this a couple of times but turned down both positions as they were Dublin based. I think on both of those occasions the information booklet had stated that the majority of the jobs would be in Dublin. I don't think there's any mention of that this time (unless I missed it). Makes me wonder if there's a chance that the regional opportunities are increasing, even slightly....

tgdaly

Piglet85 wrote: »

Interesting. I was successful in this a couple of times but turned down both positions as they were Dublin based. I think on both of those occasions the information booklet had stated that the majority of the jobs would be in Dublin. I don't think there's any mention of that this time (unless I missed it). Makes me wonder if there's a chance that the regional opportunities are increasing, even slightly....

Was wondering myself, maybe you get to choose locations this time? Some competitions allow for that

duffman13

Is the salary for an AO not over 40k? 31k starting salary according to that booklet?

The_Conductor

duffman13 wrote: »

Is the salary for an AO not over 40k? 31k starting salary according to that booklet?

Link to the Salary Scales here

First point on the scale is EUR31,221

stevetalk

Just submitted the application but not sure I put in the right email. Have ye received confirmation emails since submitting the application?

duffman13

The_Conductor wrote: »

Link to the Salary Scales here

First point on the scale is EUR31,221

Cheers, was looking at the higher scale previously. Thanks

uck51js9zml2yt

Submitted mine before lunch

tgdaly

stevetalk wrote: »

Just submitted the application but not sure I put in the right email. Have ye received confirmation emails since submitting the application?

Yeah I got a confirmation email

Ravelleman

Interesting development with the stream options this year.

The_Conductor wrote: »

Link to the Salary Scales here

First point on the scale is EUR31,221

The pay will be €31,848 by the time people are appointed, as indicated in the booklet.

November Golf

The_Conductor wrote: »

Link to the Salary Scales here

First point on the scale is EUR31,221

Its been update since:

Personal Pension Contribution

PPC (Personal Pension Contribution) salary for this position, with effect from 1st October 2018, is as follows:

€31,848; €34,250; €34,935; €37,942; €41,791; €44,719; €47,650; €50,590; €53,521; €56,441 (NMAX); €58,466 (LSI1); €60,486 (LSI2)

Addle

Big jump in salary scale in increments there.
When I joined the CS, EO was considered graduate recruitment.
Very different set up now.
Don't even need third level education to be an AP on open competition.

The_Conductor

Addle wrote: »

Big jump in salary scale in increments there.
When I joined the CS, EO was considered graduate recruitment.
Very different set up now.
Don't even need third level education to be an AP on open competition.

EO is defacto graduate recruitment- and EO and AOs are handled by the same section in PAS. You may not officially need a degree to become an EO- however, show me a recent recruit at this grade who doesn't have one.

Addle

Well they're so common now, it's hard to find anyone < 40/45 who doesn't have a degree.

The_Conductor

Addle wrote: »

Well they're so common now, it's hard to find anyone < 40/45 who doesn't have a degree.

Which is probably why they specify a level 8 qualification for AO- rather than a 'degree'........... Still- no great shortage of EOs with Level 8 qualifications either.

Crunchymomma

The_Conductor wrote: »

EO is defacto graduate recruitment- and EO and AOs are handled by the same section in PAS. You may not officially need a degree to become an EO- however, show me a recent recruit at this grade who doesn't have one.

I'm a recent eo recruit without a degree and I highly doubt I'm that rare

Some Random Username

Has there always been four different streams to choose from or is this a new way of streamlining? I'm trying to figure out if certain streams might only be for certain locations (or at least more likely to be placed there). I imagine General is probably the most widespread.

I noticed there's an IGEES Economist panel again right now as well. That specifically says Dublin rather than nationwide though.

uck51js9zml2yt

Some Random Username wrote: »

Has there always been four different streams to choose from or is this a new way of streamlining? I'm trying to figure out if certain streams might only be for certain locations (or at least more likely to be placed there). I imagine General is probably the most widespread.

I noticed there's an IGEES Economist panel again right now as well. That specifically says Dublin rather than nationwide though.

The specialist streams need a degree in the particular area

Joe222

Hi

Re: the application form, where it looks for supplementary info, what are you meant to put in there?

Does it relate to the appendix 1 competencies and you have to say how you have experience of them or what do you put in here?

Thank you

November Golf

Joe222 wrote: »

Hi

Re: the application form, where it looks for supplementary info, what are you meant to put in there?

Does it relate to the appendix 1 competencies and you have to say how you have experience of them or what do you put in here?

Thank you

Yes, But don't write a novel just one or two short points on each competency will do - If and when you get to interview, you will have the opportunity to expand on your points and to give real life examples.

Heart Break Kid

duffman13 wrote: »

Is the salary for an AO not over 40k? 31k starting salary according to that booklet?

In Dublin City Council, i think it is, different ways they use AOs vs civil service.

lotusm

Is there a specific email address you can send in a query regarding counties where AO positions are likely. I am only interested in Mayo or Sligo.

cmac8

Hi

For Eligibility Requirements do you just type in again your qualification that comes under the specific category or have people wrote a couple of paragraphys on how these qualifications fit the role?

November Golf

cmac8 wrote: »

Hi

For Eligibility Requirements do you just type in again your qualification that comes under the specific category or have people wrote a couple of paragraphys on how these qualifications fit the role?

Specific category/categories your applying for; degree title and level; if you have a specific subject that is relevant to the category (ie: for business they ask about business, economics or accountancy as a major subject); also if you have any of the desirables stated in the booklet (ie: membership of a professional bodies or relevant work experience)

LordBasil

Have applied for this. Going for just the General Stream as my qualification is not in any of the others. Hopefully the 4 streams mean there will be more positions available.

In Section B, I gave a brief outline of some of my experience that meet competency requirements as well as confirming that I hold a Level 8 Degree.

Joe222

LordBasil wrote: »

Have applied for this. Going for just the General Stream as my qualification is not in any of the others. Hopefully the 4 streams mean there will be more positions available.

In Section B, I gave a brief outline of some of my experience that meet competency requirements as well as confirming that I hold a Level 8 Degree.

I am the same as yourself.
I am not sure yet what to put in for the supplementary section. Is an interviewer going to want to see 20/30 bullet points matching competencies or just a quick easy to read paragraph on your achievements/experience to date.

LordBasil

Joe222 wrote: »

I am the same as yourself.
I am not sure yet what to put in for the supplementary section. Is an interviewer going to want to see 20/30 bullet points matching competencies or just a quick easy to read paragraph on your achievements/experience to date.

I just wrote a couple of paragraphs about my experience/skills, so if I get to the interview stage, the interviewers will have something to ask me about so I will then be able to expand on. It is probably best not to worry too much about it at this stage.

engiweirdo

Have applied for this, I wonder if anyone could help with a couple of questions/queries I have;

I know most jobs will be Dublin based but I dont really fancy living on beans on toast/sleeping in a doorway so what would the prospects of any of these roles being in Waterford be?

Also has anyone here either gotten the role or know of anyone who has taken the role with an engineering degree?

Thanks.

bmcb

Like a previous poster I’m only interested in mayo galway roscommon! I wonder is applying for these a waste of time if only interested in those areas. Can anyone shed any light? Thanks

November Golf

bmcb wrote: »

Like a previous poster I’m only interested in mayo galway roscommon! I wonder is applying for these a waste of time if only interested in those areas. Can anyone shed any light? Thanks

There will be less jobs come up in these area but you are only fighting for the vacancy against the people in your chosen county so you have as much chance as anyone to get it. Its worth applying but bare in mind your placed on a panel so you could be waiting awhile.

covfefe18

Piglet85 wrote: »

Interesting. I was successful in this a couple of times but turned down both positions as they were Dublin based. I think on both of those occasions the information booklet had stated that the majority of the jobs would be in Dublin. I don't think there's any mention of that this time (unless I missed it). Makes me wonder if there's a chance that the regional opportunities are increasing, even slightly....

Fairplay! Wondering if you have any tips on the assessment questionnaire...when I have applied in the past that is the section that I've fallen down on

PhoenixParker

My understanding is that for AO, jobs outside Dublin are very rare. It's a policy position and that tends to be done in a central location, close to the majority of the department and the key decision makers.

The civil service sections that are devolved outside Dublin are generally standalone sections dealing with very specific processes and operations. Those places need COs, EOs, HEOs and APs, with higher ratios of the lower grades than you'd have in Dublin due to the type of work.

If you're not in, you can't win, but I wouldnt be applying with any real expectations of a non-Dublin job.

Look at the mobility map for your ares, it shows all offices and the number of EOs and COs in the office for different towns/areas. See if any of the offices seem like they woyld have policy stuff going on.

The_Conductor

Depends really- Defence have their HQ in Newbridge, Ag are big in Portlaoise, Social Welfare have local offices everywhere- and large offices in Carrick-on-Shannon, Letterkenny and Drogheda, CSO and others are in Cork etc etc.

AO posts used to be by and large the remit of the three home Departments of Revenue, Finance and Dept. of the Taoiseach- however, in the last 15 years this distinction has become a lot more blurred- with a significant number of AOs popping up all over the place.

In many cases- AOs and HEOs are now considered to be synonymous with one another- and quite often you'll find AOs with not inconsiderable numbers of staff reporting to them- or working as an office manager- while you'll have HEOs working on significant research and special projects.

The main difference between a HEO and an AO that has remained consistent- is AO is strictly a recruitment grade- whereas HEO is strictly a promotional grade (and indeed- the only remaining grade that is confined to serving civil servants).

hardybuck

If in the average year 125 AOs were taken on from this type of competition, maybe 5-10 posts could be outside Dublin. Maybe 5, 10 at a real push.

DPER, Finance and Justice would be the major recruiters. Revenue generally do their own thing. Social Protection don't really take AOs off these panels, nor do CSO.

Defence is a small Department and might take on a couple of AOs every 2 or 3 years. Agriculture had a couple of people in Clonakilty looking at fisheries policy, but Portlaoise is a process centre I think.

If you're hoping for Waterford, Mayo or Roscommon you're very unlikely to get a position there.

engiweirdo

hardybuck wrote: »

If in the average year 125 AOs were taken on from this type of competition, maybe 5-10 posts could be outside Dublin. Maybe 5, 10 at a real push.

DPER, Finance and Justice would be the major recruiters. Revenue generally do their own thing. Social Protection don't really take AOs off these panels, nor do CSO.

Defence is a small Department and might take on a couple of AOs every 2 or 3 years. Agriculture had a couple of people in Clonakilty looking at fisheries policy, but Portlaoise is a process centre I think.

If you're hoping for Waterford, Mayo or Roscommon you're very unlikely to get a position there.

Probably not worth the hardship of tests/interviews then if little/no chance of an opening in fairness. Dublin is an absolute no so will have to let it pass.

hardybuck

engiweirdo wrote: »

Probably not worth the hardship of tests/interviews then if little/no chance of an opening in fairness. Dublin is an absolute no so will have to let it pass.

You'd have much better chance of getting an EO position outside Dublin, which is similar money to AO.

engiweirdo

hardybuck wrote: »

You'd have much better chance of getting an EO position outside Dublin, which is similar money to AO.

Dont think they have an open competition for those at the moment unfortunately. Ah well. Dublin, Dublin Dublin, maybe we'll learn by the next generation.

hardybuck

engiweirdo wrote: »

Dont think they have an open competition for those at the moment unfortunately. Ah well. Dublin, Dublin Dublin, maybe we'll learn by the next generation.

No, that's just where the Government are, and most AOs will continue to be while that's the case. More Civil Servants are outside Dublin than within it.

Keep an eye out for the Local Government jobs - they might come up in your area.

PhoenixParker

Therell be an open comp for EOs by year end. Last countrywide one is almost two years ago.

Crunchymomma

engiweirdo wrote: »

Dont think they have an open competition for those at the moment unfortunately. Ah well. Dublin, Dublin Dublin, maybe we'll learn by the next generation.

Regional EO should open end of this year /early next year

MFPM

Is it the case that unlike the CO/EO competitions where candidates specify preferred geographic locations that in the AO competition they have one panel of successful candidates and they are offered a position when and where it arises? I note the comments above about the concentration of AOs in Dublin - does that mean if successful one could live in Roscommon or Sligo but be offered a position in Dublin?

barryos1505

Dont understand why the form would not allow you just pick your preferred location or where you are willing to work like other competitions. If I knew there was no jobs outside Limerick or maybe Clare at a push then it would save me applying as relocation not currently possible for me.

linpoo

PhoenixParker wrote: »

Therell be an open comp for EOs by year end. Last countrywide one is almost two years ago.

There was a 2018 open comp with PAS that closed about a month ago.

PhoenixParker

linpoo wrote: »

There was a 2018 open comp with PAS that closed about a month ago.

That was Dublin only.

Pai Mei

linpoo wrote: »

There was a 2018 open comp with PAS that closed about a month ago.

Wasn't that the Dublin specific one though?

NEWBIEGRL8

Hi,

Conductor
I am reading your post here on how AO's are considered practically the same as HEO's.
Do you have anything that you can post up that backs that up by an chance or is it just general thought among the cs?

Many thanks,

Skip13

NEWBIEGRL8 wrote: »

Hi,

Conductor
I am reading your post here on how AO's are considered practically the same as HEO's.
Do you have anything that you can post up that backs that up by an chance or is it just general thought among the cs?

Many thanks,

The conductor knows a great deal more than me, but if you look at the PAS website https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/graduates/graduates-opportunities

November Golf

NEWBIEGRL8 wrote: »

Hi,

Conductor
I am reading your post here on how AO's are considered practically the same as HEO's.
Do you have anything that you can post up that backs that up by an chance or is it just general thought among the cs?

Many thanks,

See attached Civil Service Structure.

also, https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/graduates/graduates-opportunities

Ravelleman

Mike Foxtrot wrote: »

See attached Civil Service Structure.

also, https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/graduates/graduates-opportunities

That HEO and AO are at the same point on grade scale is not in dispute.

The thing is that historically the roles and responsibilities of HEO and AO have been significantly different. However, in recent times there has been what many perceive as an increasing conflation between the two grades, to the point where many AOs find themselves involved in more operational activities, rather than the policy formulation, critical analysis, research and policy drafting that was traditionally their preserve. Inversely, HEOs, who were typically involved in operational activity, office management and leading teams (amongst other things), now find themselves involved in analysis, policy formulation, etc., etc.