Civil Service advice needed

artvanderlay

Hello,

I've been looking at the various lengthy threads (executive officer/clerical officer etc) here on Boards but I can't find any info about when do these hiring campaigns actually start. I'm interested in applying this year and getting back to work after being a carer for a few years but I don't know how/when to apply. I have a 2.1 degree in Maths/Stats but haven't had a chance to use it in a job yet. Which position should I apply for as a graduate but with no work record over the past decade? Thank you for any advice.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058398389/civil-service-advice-needed

Apply for all of them: CE, EO and AO.

AO is the only one where you might have a chance to use the degree.

lisabiscuit

Set up a profile on PublicJobs.ie and you can set up to get email alerts for any of the above roles. They usually run every two ish years. I think there was an EO Competition in 2024 so it will probably next year before that one runs again. Have at the public jobs website. Good luck with it all!

runawaybishop

The general competitions run every 2 years usually, maybe more often if the panel is exhausted. They are advertised on publicjobs.ie. There can be a number of these general competitions a year. Specialist competitions run on a more ad-hoc basis, I have seen data scientist roles at AO and EO level previously.

Administrative Officer (AO) is considered a grad role and usually has no experience required. CO is considered entry level and requires no experience or degree etc. but once you are in the civil service you are eligible, after 2 years service, to enter both interdepartmental and internal competitions which increases your promotion opportunities. You say you haven't worked in a bit, I wouldn't let that put you off applying for any of these positions (CO, EO, AO, HEO) that you meet the criteria for. The civil service tends to not discriminate on work gaps due to caring - everyone knows that in reality its a tough and valuable job.

Where are you based, roughly? Dublin takes on more staff than say Leitrim and has specific competitions for that region often enough.

Flinty997

You need to watch public jobs.ie

They also get mentioned on this forum on a lot.

artvanderlay

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I feel a bit better about my situation now :) I'll register with the website so and keep an eye out for any competitions. I'm in Mayo, but I'm ready to move to wherever the jobs are, even Dublin.

BOHSBOHS

Artvanderlay - There's an AO competition running at the moment - its on public jobs.ie - look for "Graduate Opportunities 2025"

artvanderlay

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123215012#Comment_123215012

Thanks very much for that. I'll give it a go.

runawaybishop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123214980#Comment_123214980

Revenue have a fairly big presence in Castlebar. RSA head office is in Ballina. DSP have a big office in Sligo (but would have intreo offices in towns all over the place). Lots more jobs in Dublin but with high rental prices.

Keep an eye on the local government - i.e county council - websites too.

Best of luck.

sekond

Also keep an eye out for the Temporary Clerical Officer competitions (although I have a feeling they run in October). Some Departments take on extra staff for particularly busy times of year, and it's not a bad way to get a bit of experience and/or get a feel for the different Departments and what it might be like to work there.

artvanderlay

Drat, I'm not eligible for the Administrative Officer competition that's there at the moment as I don't have a relevant degree (for the Finance stream you need a business/finance related degree whereas I have a Maths/Stats degree). Oh well. I did apply for a graduate scheme with the CSO earlier this week so hopefully I might have a chance with that.

Thanks again to all for replying. Feeling hopeful!

apkmbarry

There is a general AO Competition, but I think that was back in August (I think, I missed it myself). They're 1 year panels so there'll be one this year around that time.

Flinty997

They are generally rigid on their educational qualifications. Can be useful to do some conversion courses to tick all the boxes. Even as a just in case in the future. Gives you options.

jonnybangbang

Some more options for consideration may be the positions of Third Secretary or Development Specialist Officer. Both grades are AO equivalent ( they are the same pay scale and considered a graduate entry level) and both are specific to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Third Secretary is on the diplomatic career path and DSO is focused on working within Irish Aid and the Government's international development programme. These competitions normally run every couple of years and will be advertised on Publicjobs when live.(Of course a language is also of benefit to these).