Administrative Officer (graduate) (general) 2022 civil service

Henman007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120614876#Comment_120614876

Have read all your posts… and whilst I sympathize with how you felt after the alleged bullying, your comments make sweeping generalisations which I feel are inappropriate. People on this forum are seeking information and support in terms of the competition. Also very uncomfortable with how you keep inviting journalists to contact you. You mention taping conversations etc… you realise this is possibly illegal unless you told the people concerned you were taping them?

Wolfskuil

Despite my worries, I just found out that I passed the interview for AO! Have only recently started an EO role, so may be shipping off again somewhere new. So relieved! If anyone knows the timelines for likely deployment---I am in the high twenties---then I'd love to know!

OKDublin

Few questions on accepting an AO role

1. The starting AO salary is only a bit higher than starting EO salary. What if you like your EO role?
2. If you get AO on the open competition, could your current dept block you moving depts and offer you AO within your dept?
3. I think I asked this already, but did anyone get offered a role in any way related to the skills matching questionnaire? I am wondering if I just selected something specific like say the data & analytics, would I be more likely to get something related?

Thx

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120711474#Comment_120711474

Congrats! On your first comment: My understanding is that if you are on point one of the EO salary then you will automatically go to point 2 of the AO salary. When you get a promotion, then I believe the calculation of where you start on the scale is based on whether the difference between your current salary and the next higher point of the new scale is greater or less than your starting point and the next point of the new scale. If the difference is less, the you go up two points on the new scale. E.g. an EO on point one should go to point 2 AO, which is quite a significant bump.

(If the skipping of point four of the scale is also in play, this would mean within two years of AO you could be on point 5....which would almost be a living wage for Dublin!!)

mcg_philip

Congrats to you! I am in a very similar situation following interview. Hopefully we are called for clearance soon.

Butterfly182

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120711474#Comment_120711474

1. Already covered and as an AO who was previously an EO yes you do get bumped up the scale. The pay as an AO especially as a previous EO with service is definitely worth it in the long run. I liked elements of my work as an EO but moving from operations to policy came with benefits to work life balance.

2. My dept at the time tried to keep me but I was allocated to a different department and there wasn't anything anyone could do. My current dept had tried to make a business case for an AO as there were no AO vacancies but it proved too complicated. If I got HEO I probably would have been kept.

3. Yes, I indicated I had a passion for education and training and ended up in a related role.

OKDublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120717871#Comment_120717871

Super that you ended up in a related role.

elfie123

got my interview results and unfortunately failed 2 competencies - 1. Delivery of results and 2. Specialist Knowledge, Expertise & Self Development, including knowledge and understanding of the role of the AO. Does anyone have any insight into what they’re particularly looking for in them 2 competencies, specifically the second one I’m quite confused on 😅. Thanks 😊

countyireland12345

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120731679#Comment_120731679

Hard luck. At least you will be better prepared for next time. What kind of questions did they ask you if you don't mind me asking? From my reading of the booklets etc., I think the Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development competency is tricky because it's AO General and no specialist knowledge is required. Perhaps it’s an opportunity to talk about your specialist knowledge gained through your degree?

Does anyone have any advice for answering the Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values questions? It seems difficult if you don't have CS experience.

elfie123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120731896#Comment_120731896

From what I remember they asked me what I understood the role to be and I said something about researching and formulating a policy that had the best possible outcome for the most amount of people on a particular issue/problem but they seemed to be looking for more from me but I wasn’t sure what? They didn’t particularly ask me any questions on my specialist knowledge regarding my degree I studied politics and international relations. And I currently work in the CS as a CO but for less than 2 months and I did bring it up but they didn’t really touch on it much in their questions. I just find that particular competency a bit of a minefield for the AO general role !

OKDublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120731679#Comment_120731679

Re the specialist knowledge, well I don't think we are suposed to discuss what we were asked but looking at the KPIs you'd need to be able to discuss what you think the AO role encompasses. Also, how you will get up to speed in the new role - what steps will you take. Also, how do you currently keep up to date with government/EU news. For example something like discussing how the EU is planning on regulating AI or recent govenrment publications. Re expertise - could be difficult if you haven't much work experience. However perhaps if not, you could mention that you have expertise in a particular area of IT/Digital/Data and you could help less digitally literate colleagues.

I didn't score really highly in this one 30ish but enough to pass.

elfie123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120731979#Comment_120731979

Yes it’s just a tricky competency to answer in comparison to the more straightforward ones like leadership and communication 😅 maybe I’ll have got my head around it by the time the next competition comes around

OKDublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120731896#Comment_120731896

Impartiality is VERY important for this one. Even if you have no Civil Service experience diversity awareness is required in all organisations. As far as I recall 12% of our population are not Irish. You need to show others respect in all workplaces not just in the Civil Service. In respect of Civil Service, if you were placed in the Dept of Social Protection you have to treat all customers equally. This means for example if you politically disagree with some government policy you have to keep your personal views out of it. You have to apply the government legislation and put your own views aside.

mcg_philip

Does anyone have any update on people being called for clearance from Batch 5?

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741736#Comment_120741736

Just confirming qualifications and skills match questionnaire so far. Deadline for both was yesterday (for me anyway).

mcg_philip

Same here! Are you batch 5 too?

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120747542#Comment_120747542

Yup

OKDublin

Which Civil Service dept would be the most IT advanced?

I seem to recall in previous messages a few people said they expressed a wish to work in X/Y depts and it was taken into account.

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120751218#Comment_120751218

My understanding is that Revenue tends to have the best IT. For instance, they have had an AI chatbot for 5 years to handle routine queries. They tend to be most progressive because, put simply, they take in all the money.

minersrepite

Hi all,

I was a assigned to a department I liked but have been told I’m starting as an ao on secondment to an external body which is not part of my main department.

I have zero interest in what this body does and wouldn’t have left my previous position if I’d known. My ap and po will also both be from this body. Has this happened to anyone else? Really weird to be on secondment my first year. My suspicion is that it was offered to existent aos but no one wanted it.

kb1234

Hello!

I'm living abroad and I've been offered to defer my position until October, however I'm wondering if they will be opening a new competition at the end of this year, would anyone know?

thanks!

countyireland12345

Did anyone receive a email from PAS about expressions of interest for this comp? I did 3 weeks ago and haven't heard from them since. I know it's not a guarantee but I'm hoping I will be called. Was late 380s in orginal OOM.

Michelin

Any word from those in Batch 5 yet? Wonder has anyone been called for clearance?

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120839021#Comment_120839021

I have heard nothing yet. I am also curious if anyone closer to the top of the list has heard anything.

OKDublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120839021#Comment_120839021

Eligibility only. Nothing further.

mcg_philip

I am in the early 20s on Batch 5 and haven’t heard anything yet. Although I emailed PAS and they mentioned that they hope to call people from Batch 5 ‘very soon’.

smithsburg

Quick question for anyone who’s interviewed. I’m finalising my presentation - it’s to be submitted a day ahead of the interview. It’s a bit unclear but I’m assuming it’s the text document that’s required to be sent in as opposed to a verbal presentation? I’ll present on the day using the slides I’ve sent in?

countyireland12345

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120854289#Comment_120854289

"You may use visual aids such as PowerPoint, PDF’s or Word to make your presentation. Your choice of delivery will not have any bearing on your score".

Yes, I have prepared my presentation on PowerPoint and will present that on the day too, i.e. share my screen and present. When you say "text document" you mean slides right?

smithsburg

I do indeed.

When the brief mentioned sending over ‘the complete presentation’ in advance I just wanted to be certain that doesn’t include the spoken part. I’m virtually certain it’s just the slides they want in advance, but you can’t be too sure!

BigElmo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120854648#Comment_120854648

Correct. You'll speak when you share your PowerPoint in your interview.