Administrative Officer (Specialist Streams) 2024

AOCS

Hi,

Just creating a thread for discussion of the ongoing competition for Administrative Officer 2024 positions and advertised for the following areas:

1. Human Resources

2. Business/Finance

3. Energy, Environment and Climate

4. Health Policy Analyst

Is there much applying for the HR stream and what way does OOM work after the aptitude test’s compared to the general AO competition?

Francie75

I applied for energy and climate stream. I'm 77 oom and have no idea how many applied in this competition? I really hope I'll get the chance to interview.

VANS_95

I applied for the business and finance stream. I’m 186 OOM, trying to be hopeful I get to interview.

AOCS

My OOM is 72 in the HR stream. Trying to figure out whether that is low enough to get an interview. Hopefully so!

Francie75

Does anyone have an idea if the volume that applied for this competition?

vatsie76

Hi, has the first batch got invite for interview stage? they said they would call up to OOM 36 by end of April.

goldenmushroom

Hi, I was lucky enough to get called for a interview in HR stream, they all take pace next week as far as I'm aware!

AOCS

what was your OOM if you mind me asking ? Best of luck for the Interview. Was there much of a nudge as to what the Interview would be like (competencies and specialist questions)

goldenmushroom

I was 20 OOM. Presentation and then the basic competencies and HR specific questions, not sure what those will be. Thank you!

kb1234

hello, I have my interview this Thursday for the energy, environment and climate stream. Has anyone had theirs yet and have any advice? Thank you!

oscillation

Anyone have any idea when we’ll hear the results of the interviews happening this week?

goldenmushroom

No idea really, I would assume under 2 weeks. I had mine today. What stream were you in? Hope you got on well!

AOCS

@goldenmushroom Any tips for the HR stream, how was the interview and what was the specialist questions like? Best of luck once the results come out !!

oscillation

I’m in the business and finance stream, I thought the interview was really intense, the questions are nonstop and theres not much time for general chat but the board members were lovely. Fingers crossed we’re not waiting too long for results now! How did you find your interview @goldenmushroom?

vatsie76

Any idea on when they will call next batch ? I am below 65 in the business and finance stream. Have holidays booked for June😂

oscillation

The first batch had about 2 and a half weeks to prepare so based on that I would guess it could be late May or early June but that’s absolutely just a guess!!m

goldenmushroom

@AOCS Honestly I thought it went well enough throughout, was definitely intense! The HR questions were literally just the final 5 mins, that was the toughest section for me (asked me about L&D trends, how HR makes and implements policies, biggest challenges facing HR). It's a bit of a blur so sorry I can't be of more help!

goldenmushroom

@oscillation I found it the same, quite intense but all kind panel members :) such a blur now! Yes, hopefully we aren't waiting too long. Best of luck, keep me posted

Tsetseg9

Hi, anyone here got interviewed for Health Policy stream? Please give some heads up tips and advice. Greatly appreciated!

oscillation

Do we think we’ll get interview results before the long weekend? Driving myself crazy refreshing the site every 10 mins!! Afraid to ask them and annoy them though

goldenmushroom

@oscillation I hope so, it's driving me mental as well. I was speaking to my uncle who used to do these interviews and he said we should know within a week, 2 max but I really don't know! Fingers crossed

oscillation

Results out finally, I’m delighted! Hopefully everything moves along a bit faster now. Hope everyone is pleased with their results :)

middlecab12

Got my interview result for Climate stream and happy to have passed. Out of curiosity, has anyone who was at the top of the OOM post interview asked to submit their documents for clearance?

middlecab12

Just to add, I was doubting myself after the interview big time - I had previously done CO and EO interview so kind of had an idea of what was going to come up but I felt like I didn't do as good in the AO but at least I passed. My advice would be to know the competencies and practice answering questions, there is a great list of questions on one of the old EO threads that has basically every question they could ask in an EO/AO interview. Also the specialist knowledge questions I found were quite easy and broad e.g. what do you know about sustainable energy, what policies do the government have to reduce GHG emissions. Best of luck to anyone going for interview!

oscillation

Congratulations on passing @middlecab12! Not sure if it helps but I’m placed within the first 15 of the 1st B&F stream batch and haven’t been contacted for clearance yet.

HellsBellsxx

Results are out!!! Thrilled I passed, I was doubting myself after the interview. I hope everyone is pleased with their results :-).

For anyone waiting for an interview or interviewing soon, I would definitely recommend knowing the competencies and their examples extremely well. My interview board were lovely, so nothing to be nervous about. Wishing everyone the best of luck!

bbot99

Well done to all who passed. I’m just wondering if anyone knows anything more about the process if you pass? Ranked in top five OOM for environmental. Just curious as when we will find out some more info! Currently have a permanent role opposite end of the country so will need to start figuring logistic if I were to get offered a role

kb1234

hello, congratulations on your result! I ranked 1 in the energy environment and climate stream and I haven't received any follow up details yet. A year ago I was offered a job within another department (turned it down) about a month or so after receiving results, but it depends on how quickly you get references and do the clearance process.

oscillation

Can anyone advise on what exactly they ask for in the clearance process? Do they ask for a specific number of references or is it all references for work during a specific period of time? Just trying to get as organised as I can before they reach out

Lhxsjco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122092619#Comment_122092619

They will ask for contact details for your references and they send them an email with a form to fill out, you will also have to do Garda vetting if you are not already in the civil service which can take anything from a week to 6 months depending on how lucky you are.

oscillation

@Lhxsjco Thanks for your reply! Is there a specific number of references they ask for?

Lhxsjco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122092677#Comment_122092677

I can't fully remember but I think I would have only provided one or two - the job I worked in at the time had a HR office so they just filled it out but now that I think of it the job I had previous to that didn't and I don't know if PAS were ever successful in getting a response from them but it wasn't an issue anyway!

oscillation

Perfect thanks so much for your help @Lhxsjco

bbot99

got called for clearance today, all due Monday. Does anyone know how soon after clearance we might be offered roles ?

oscillation

Hey @bbot99 I’m in the same boat, I was contacted for clearance yesterday but just looking back on last year’s thread and it looks like it could be around a month until we are given our departments and then a few weeks more for an actual start date.

Gnk

I've also been contacted for clearance and submitted my documentation - and received confirmation of receipt.

I'm working in the CS in another department. Does anyone know if this is the moment to let my manager know? I know they will be contacting HR from my dept but would like my manager to know from me and not from HR, just not sure which is the moment I could be sure I would get a role from the competition and when.

JennyZ

Hi, would an AO normally have direct reports, EO or CO?

vatsie76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122145550#Comment_122145550

Yes..my line manager is an AO

aaron5250

Are the AO positions nationwide?

VANS_95

No, this competition is Dublin only.

Mugwomp21

What type of questions do they ask on your presentation?

oscillation

Things are moving quickly now! I just got assigned a department, hopefully not too long until start date and contract sorted :)

bbot99

Congrats! What department did you get signed to and any update on start date? My garda vetting just got processed today. So hard to get organised when no idea of the timeframes!

oscillation

Thank you @bbot99 I’m in Finance, very happy to be going there. No update on start date yet, it’s a bit awkward trying to figure out when to give notice to my current employer and arrange holidays etc. but fingers crossed I hear something this week. From my experience PAS contacted my references a few days after my garda vetting was completed so I would expect you to hear from them this week :)

bbot99

yeah agree, it’s awkward having to ask current employer for a reference when haven’t been given any details. Hopefully will hear back myself this week and can start getting organised

saoirse1677

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone knows what number or Batch of interviews they have reach for the HR stream.

AOCS

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210239#Comment_122210239

last I heard is that they have called up to and including OOM 45. This was about 2 weeks ago, and seem to be moving in batch’s on 25 now.

VANS_95

Does anyone know what number or Batch of interviews they have reach for the Business/ finance stream?

vatsie76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122224934#Comment_122224934

I am in early 60's in the stream and have interview scheduled for early next week.

saoirse1677

perfect thanks so much.

vatsie76

Had my interview yesterday. Overall it was fine...I think misfired 1-2 answers esp in the last min rapid fire. And the more I think of it, it just makes me feel worse. I knew the answer but dunno why I said something bizarre.😂 I hope I get through..🤞