Higher Executive Officer 2024

Augme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122130769#Comment_122130769

Correct, no educational qualification required.

Mr lebowski

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122130732#Comment_122130732

Thanks for the reply. If my time as a TCO previously a few years back counts then I will be eligible. I appreciate the response.

EmmaMol

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122118145#Comment_122118145

I've never made it past shortlisting before, hopefully do this time but has this been typical for heo comps in the past? I know the standard has to be higher but there does seem to be an awful amount of hoops to jump through for it that I don't remember seeing before.

Stranger Things

Just finished my one year probation and would have loved to apply. Can be so annoying these two year requirements…..

gestappo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122135772#Comment_122135772

The candidates in the previous PAS HEO Comp had to do a presentation too, so this isn't new. The application form itself though seems more in-depth this time around

skidmarkoner

The last year had no tests, this year has a new framework + tests ontop of what previous panels had to do. I get a sense they'll either be extremely tough on applicants this year and do an open comp in 2026 or go soft of us I don't think this is anyway a normal year for HEO inter d

gestappo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122136609#Comment_122136609

Plus the panel ends Nov 2025

I thought in the last HEO comp they had the usual tests?

prin2023

Hello, Do they ever ask for you leaving cert results? I have leaving cert but cannot remember exact results for each subject. Hoping to go for this comp. Have been in CS for 7 years now

NillyNIR

I was thinking the same thing, could score easier as we are a trial run to a new system so fingers crossed

Dublin2024

I’m not sure wether shortlisting is definitely used, it mentioned it in the EO 2024 booklet but they went straight to psychometric tests instead - perhaps this comp could be the same?

skidmarkoner

What kind of clearance fo they require if you get to that stage? Is it just a thumbs by HR or does your line manager have to write a letter?

dub70

Just a record of sick and check boxes for time keeping, recommendation and comments. You are entitled to see the form

skidmarkoner

So no references just records?

prin2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122141923#Comment_122141923

Also, anyone any experience witht he practical exam previously? Is it a presentation?

dub70

Not as such, it just asks if person is suitable and you just tick box. They can call for an informal reference. That's just how we did it in AGS but other departments may do things differently

hungerjames

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122142949#Comment_122142949

Vimeo says psychometrics first, then shortlisting after. Presentation and interview last. From their perspective there's no point shortlisting people for the interview if they fail the tests.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122144430#Comment_122144430

Good detail about this in the Vimeo. It's the same as the last competition, it's along the general lines of you are emailed in advance with a choice of three topics (different for each person) and have to submit a document in advance of the interview, and then give it as a presentation pre-interview, for about 15 mins with question and answer session included, on how you would go about implementing a particular goal in the PFG with your chosen department. Question and answer will be checking how you came about your plan, why you chose the particular deadlines you did, what sources did you pull from etc. Can you put together a plan for something in a way that makes sense, in other words, and present it to a team, in line with the criteria for interview.

society4

is this competition open to EOs in the public sector ….i don’t see the advert on public jobs.ie..

hungerjames

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122149023#Comment_122149023

My read of the Circular (linked in the original post) is that it's Civil Service only.

society4

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122149076#Comment_122149076

I think you are right ….do they ever have general competitions for HEO that public servants can apply for through PAS?

Watermelonsugar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122149872#Comment_122149872

The generalist HEO grade is a promotional middle management grade so has always been interdepartmental or internal mostly requiring 2 yrs civil service experience.

From time to time there are HEO open competitions for specific roles like IT, HR, Communications etc. but not for the large panels.

I think public sector orgs like local government, agencies and authorities have Staff Officer open competitions more frequently in a similar style

fritzelly

I would love to go for this and if something comes to pass, that I wish I had someone to talk to about, I would have some excellent experience in applying for it but right now I think I would struggle to pass, shame it is not a year out.

My experience in applying now and answering the questions would be from several years ago - really in two minds about even trying for it right now or just go for it and get the experience of it. As said above everyone is a guinea pig on this as a new application process.

jaffa20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122151720#Comment_122151720

What have you got to lose? I am applying for it even though I'm not sure I'd accept it if I was successful. It really depends on the Department and my circumstances at the time.

apkmbarry

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122151720#Comment_122151720

Get an application in, worst case you get to see the interview style etc and it can make your next application stronger when you feel you have better examples etc :)

Christmaschris

Does anyone have any advice for what competencies to choose for the application? Or how they should be layed out etc.

hungerjames

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122163571#Comment_122163571

Watch the Vimeo linked in the original post, because the metrics they are using are different to previous competitions and they go into a good amount of detail. You can see the breakdown of each area here: https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/information-hub/capability-framework/higher-executive-officer

Generally speaking each example should follow the STAR format but with more of a focus on how you went about the task, and why, rather than giving up most of the wordcount to describing the problem itself.

I'm quite happy to go over the examples you're considering with you if you DM.

jaffa20

..

skidmarkoner

I wrote mine out as an essay styles with points starting as situation,task,action and results except for the overviews of leadership this is a few bullet point's covering each key word in the competency. It's actually really difficult to coherently fill it out under the word count as it counts spaces as a character.

skidmarkoner

How many point do you need to hit in your application to get shortlisted anybody know?

gestappo

I need focus on getting this application started this weekend. I haven't had a chance to look at the application since it was released or give it much thought. There is quite a lot of effort involved, so I need to get back into the 'headspace' of it all 🧐

There's an internal HEO coming out in my Dept too so that'll be two ongoing applications

Have many of you submitted the form?

furrybones

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122171631#Comment_122171631

I'm in the same boat. I was hoping to get some guidance from my AP but it's hard to get the time.