Graduate Opportunities in Local Government 2017

Sazzie13 · 26-02-2018 10:18am

Do you by chance have the original information booklet on the campaign - i can't locate it and would like to read over it again.

Jimbob1977 · 26-02-2018 12:43pm

Sazzie13 wrote: »

Do you by chance have the original information booklet on the campaign - i can't locate it and would like to read over it again.

Hi

The link is in Post #38

tgdaly · 26-02-2018 1:55pm

I've my interview scheduled for Thursday afternoon, the whole weather situation is starting to worry me now. Do people think there's any risk of interviews being postponed?

Jimbob1977 · 26-02-2018 2:14pm

tgdaly wrote: »

I've my interview scheduled for Thursday afternoon, the whole weather situation is starting to worry me now. Do people think there's any risk of interviews being postponed?

There's always a danger. Your interviewers might be in the same boat.

To impress the panel, you could fall through the interview room door covered in snow and frostbite. Dedicated to the job

UK employees are being told to get home by 6pm tonight.

Keep tabs on the 6pm and 9pm news and Met Eireann's website

Riskymove · 26-02-2018 3:11pm

tgdaly wrote: »

Do people think there's any risk of interviews being postponed?

yes, they have already issued a notice warning that there may be cancellations and keep an eye on publicjobs.ie and message board etc

lukiluc · 26-02-2018 10:41pm

Hi all. Best of luck with interviews, mine next week. Does anybody know what job titles these graduate programme positions have? I thought it was Aministrative Officer, but now not so sure. Would it be Administrative Officer, Executive Officer, Assistant Staff Officer, or something else depending on your skills, and the vacancies which arise? Cheers

Jimbob1977 · 26-02-2018 11:08pm

lukiluc wrote: »

Hi all. Best of luck with interviews, mine next week. Does anybody know what job titles these graduate programme positions have? I thought it was Aministrative Officer, but now not so sure. Would it be Administrative Officer, Executive Officer, Assistant Staff Officer, or something else depending on your skills, and the vacancies which arise? Cheers

You are correct that the information booklet does not state the title 'Administrative Officer', so I've begun to doubt myself. In fact, I can't see the phrase in any documentation.

Was it possibly the title given on the Public Jobs website when it was first advertised? I know I've seen it somewhere

Jimbob1977 · 26-02-2018 11:19pm

The salary is actually more commensurate to an Assistant Staff Officer (Level 4) and not an Administrative Officer (Level 7).

Crikey! Did I just assume it was Administrative Officer?

http://www.impact.ie/your-sector/public-sector/local-authorities/local-authority-salary-scales/local-authority-salary-scales-2017/

lukiluc · 27-02-2018 12:04am

Hi Jimbob. Page 9 of the booklet does mention Administrative Officer, but it's not altogether clear this is the job title. I'm thinking to contact PAS for a clarification. I imagine the potential job title would have a bearing on the interview questions...

lukiluc · 27-02-2018 12:04am

Hi Jimbob. Page 9 of the booklet does mention Administrative Officer, but it's not altogether clear this is the job title. I'm thinking to contact PAS for a clarification. I imagine the potential job title would have a bearing on the interview questions...

Jimbob1977 · 27-02-2018 12:09am

lukiluc wrote: »

Hi Jimbob. Page 9 of the booklet does mention Administrative Officer, but it's not altogether clear this is the job title. I'm thinking to contact PAS for a clarification. I imagine the potential job title would have a bearing on the interview questions...

Absolutely. If you get a definitive response, please let us know.

If the interview was pitched at Level 4 (Assistant Staff Officer) instead of Level 7(AO), you would expect a different style of interview.

Riskymove · 27-02-2018 3:14pm

Graduate jobs are at AO level in the Civil Service
But in local authorities it's Grade IV

The starting salary range is around the same but AO is better longer term

lukiluc · 27-02-2018 3:35pm

Thanks Risky. I did call PAS today to ask for clarification but they were no help. I asked what job title a successful applicant might be assigned to but they didn't know. I asked about grade they didn't know either. They just referred back to the Six Skillsets and said we would be assigned to a role associated with one of them. So i asked if for example we wére shown to be competent and interested in data analysis what role might we be assigned to. Still no joy...

lukiluc · 27-02-2018 3:38pm

Riskymove. So its Grade 4 as opposed to Grade 7, i will look that up. But do you know of example job titles that might typically be Grade 4? I think we are meant to show an awareness of how local authorities work, and how the job we are applying to fits in to the overall picture, and this I'm struggling with a little at present... cheers

Sharon2017 · 27-02-2018 3:42pm

lukiluc wrote: »

Riskymove. So its Grade 4 as opposed to Grade 7, i will look that up. But do you know of example job titles that might typically be Grade 4? I think we are meant to show an awareness of how local authorities work, and how the job we are applying to fits in to the overall picture, and this I'm struggling with a little at present... cheers

It's been pitched as an AO equivalent in this campaign and the last one (2014). It can't really be called AO grade because it is a local authority and they have different structures. But the framework for Local Authority structures appears to be less detailed so its not as black and white.

The people in PAS who answer the day-to-day queries and send comms are CO level and probably have limited information about the local authority posts because its less defined.

I believe what happens is the people working in the LAs decide in the different areas how many people they need. For instance Cork may want to take 2 people in the city LEO office under the economic development skill but the title is probably yet to be determined. Its all at the same level but I suppose like other PAS campaigns a lot of the information isn't revealed until they'e placing you. I too would like to know what a possible title might be but I'm not confident I'll go into the interview knowing this.

Jimbob1977 · 27-02-2018 4:20pm

I had entered this competition on the basis that it was 'Administrative Officer in Local Government' straight up.

In the week before interview, it's not great to discover that it might fall three levels below this (the equivalent).

gpxmurphy · 27-02-2018 10:58pm

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

I had entered this competition on the basis that it was 'Administrative Officer in Local Government' straight up.

In the week before interview, it's not great to discover that it might fall three levels below this (the equivalent).

Me too... was pretty disappointed when I saw the salary scale.

I had my interview last Friday, they stuck to the 2 skills interest areas I had listed rather than the competencies.

Sharon2017 · 28-02-2018 12:14am

gpxmurphy wrote: »

I had my interview last Friday, they stuck to the 2 skills interest areas I had listed rather than the competencies.

Oh thanks for the info. What kind of questions were they asking? Did they give you any info about what happens next?

gpxmurphy · 28-02-2018 8:17am

Sharon2017 wrote: »

Oh thanks for the info. What kind of questions were they asking? Did they give you any info about what happens next?

They just said results would be out mid March.

My skills were project / programme management & communications/marketing. Question wise was the usual; tell us about a time you did xyz... challenges facing councils, how would you make improvements etc.

I see PAS have cancelled interviews for today...

Jimbob1977 · 28-02-2018 12:12pm

Interviews for Wednesday to Friday postponed

Monday 5th March still ok for now, but monitor publicjobs.ie

Message just out

Jimbob1977 · 28-02-2018 1:27pm

gpxmurphy wrote: »

Me too... was pretty disappointed when I saw the salary scale.

I had my interview last Friday, they stuck to the 2 skills interest areas I had listed rather than the competencies.

With two skill sets to discuss, how long was your interview?

gpxmurphy · 28-02-2018 3:36pm

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

With two skill sets to discuss, how long was your interview?

They said going in it'd be about 35-40 mins but I was in with them closer to 45-50 mins. Don't know if that's a good sign or what.... Think i was the last interview of the day so maybe they were taking their time.

Jimbob1977 · 28-02-2018 6:47pm

Just in terms of documentation, does this sound about right?

1. Original photo ID
2. Photocopy of ID
3. Every original hardcopy qualification
4. Copies of your qualifications
5. Copies of your original application form and supplementary application form.

For anyone who has done the interview already, are you really asked to bring copies of your application forms into the interview itself?

gpxmurphy · 28-02-2018 7:04pm

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

Just in terms of documentation, does this sound about right?

1. Original photo ID
2. Photocopy of ID
3. Every original hardcopy qualification
4. Copies of your qualifications
5. Copies of your original application form and supplementary application form.

For anyone who has done the interview already, are you really asked to bring copies of your application forms into the interview itself?

You only need original ID & qualifications and they take a copy there so you don't need copies.

No need to bring the forms in - they have them on iPads in front of them.

I actually only had a copy of my degree & they wouldn't accept it & said I'd have bring it in again another time... very vague! I think maybe if I'm successful they'll want it then.

Sharon2017 · 02-03-2018 11:21am

gpxmurphy wrote: »

You only need original ID & qualifications and they take a copy there so you don't need copies.

No need to bring the forms in - they have them on iPads in front of them.

I actually only had a copy of my degree & they wouldn't accept it & said I'd have bring it in again another time... very vague! I think maybe if I'm successful they'll want it then.

I hope the interviews on Monday aren’t cancelled!

piobhan · 03-03-2018 6:06pm

Any updates on Monday’s interviews, I know the RSA cancelled driving tests on Mondays that were due to be held in Dub, be nice to know!?

Jimbob1977 · 03-03-2018 6:35pm

piobhan wrote: »

Any updates on Monday’s interviews, I know the RSA cancelled driving tests on Mondays that were due to be held in Dub, be nice to know!?

Their website and Twitter have no indication of postponements yet.

I'm working off the assumption that it's still "Go" for Monday

piobhan · 03-03-2018 6:39pm

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

Their website and Twitter have no indication of postponements yet.

I'm working off the assumption that it's still "Go" for Monday

Thanks, What is their twitter?

Jimbob1977 · 03-03-2018 6:40pm

piobhan wrote: »

Thanks, What is their twitter?

@publicjobsie

piobhan · 03-03-2018 7:22pm

From the information booklet

“Conditions of Service
Salary: €29,344 (single point salary scale) Annual leave: 24 days
Working hours: 37 hours
Tenure: 3 year fixed term contract”

So is the salary 29,344 for each year or will it go up in the 2nd and 3rd year or is that wishful thinking? I’ve a private sector job and trying to work out my options and the €€€ is a key part of it

Kazzerdaz · 03-03-2018 8:00pm

piobhan wrote: »

Any updates on Monday’s interviews, I know the RSA cancelled driving tests on Mondays that were due to be held in Dub, be nice to know!?

Surely there should be some certainty about whether or not they are going ahead on Monday? I'm living in rural west cork my interview is at 10.05. I tried ringing a few times today but no answer and their social media hasn't been updated in 3 days.

Jimbob1977 · 03-03-2018 9:25pm

piobhan wrote: »

From the information booklet

“Conditions of Service
Salary: €29,344 (single point salary scale) Annual leave: 24 days
Working hours: 37 hours
Tenure: 3 year fixed term contract”

So is the salary 29,344 for each year or will it go up in the 2nd and 3rd year or is that wishful thinking? I’ve a private sector job and trying to work out my options and the €€€ is a key part of it

I believe it's fixed for 3 years solid.

It's one of the factors that would be a 'deal breaker' for many candidates. Loads of people would not touch it.

The big hope is that you land a permanent job and join on a moving increment scale.

Jimbob1977 · 03-03-2018 9:33pm

Kazzerdaz wrote: »

Surely there should be some certainty about whether or not they are going ahead on Monday? I'm living in rural west cork my interview is at 10.05. I tried ringing a few times today but no answer and their social media hasn't been updated in 3 days.

As Twitter accounts can be accessed remotely (not necessarily from the PAS office), you'd hope that one employee would receive an instruction and log in tomorrow to confirm or postpone the interviews.

The panel interviewers would be in the same boat as ourselves

gpxmurphy · 03-03-2018 9:42pm

I think the salary will go up in yearly increments. Single point entry is just that there's no negotiation or starting at a higher point. That's my understanding anyway.

Their FB page said they intend to resume operations on Monday. I wouldn't hold my breath that they'll post any updates on a Sunday so check Monday before travelling.

Kazzerdaz · 03-03-2018 11:17pm

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

As Twitter accounts can be accessed remotely (not necessarily from the PAS office), you'd hope that one employee would receive an instruction and log in tomorrow to confirm or postpone the interviews.

The panel interviewers would be in the same boat as ourselves[/quote
Exactly. I don't think it's good enough. I would have to stay overnight on Dublin the night before to get there on time. I'm not going to spend €200+ on train and hotel if I'm not sure it's going ahead.

Jimbob1977 · 04-03-2018 11:06am

At this moment in time (Sunday morning), Monday interviews look like they will proceed.

I'm saying this in the absence of emails or tweets to the contrary.

Will check again before I drive up to Dublin tonight.

Jimbob1977 · 04-03-2018 4:24pm

Green light from the publicjobs.ie website

NOTICE:

The Public Appointments Service will resume full operations on Monday, 5 March 2018.

All tests and interviews from Monday will take place as planned. We will be in touch with individual candidates
directly who were due to attend Wednesday 28 February, Thursday 1 March or Friday 2 March, 2018, to reschedule all tests and interviews.

gpxmurphy · 04-03-2018 7:25pm

Good luck tomorrow!

Sazzie13 · 06-03-2018 6:00pm

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

At this moment in time (Sunday morning), Monday interviews look like they will proceed.

I'm saying this in the absence of emails or tweets to the contrary.

Will check again before I drive up to Dublin tonight.

How did the interview go?

lukiluc · 06-03-2018 7:42pm

Hi. I had the interview. I would suggest sticking to the 4 competencies and the 6 skill sets, and doing your research on what it is a local authority does and how you see yourself making a contribution. Best of luck...

Jimbob1977 · 06-03-2018 8:06pm

Sazzie13 wrote: »

How did the interview go?

Ran for about 40 minutes. Felt at ease.

Know what LEOs do. They have a website that summarises their activities. It shows initiative if you can reference or name-drop some important material.

Know a bit about your local Council, what services they provide and metrics they track. Possibly they have a website where the Chief Executive delivers a monthly report or performance dashboard.

ver2 · 07-03-2018 8:53am

Hi,
Thanks for the feedback.
Do they ask about the 6 skill sets? I only put 1 or 2 down on my form. Really wish it hadn't been rescheduled, would love it to be over!!

Jimbob1977 · 07-03-2018 9:12am

ver2 wrote: »

Hi,
Thanks for the feedback.
Do they ask about the 6 skill sets? I only put 1 or 2 down on my form. Really wish it hadn't been rescheduled, would love it to be over!!

They will only ask what you applied for.

Hence you will probably be asked about the four competencies (relevant to every candidate).... and then your two specific listed skill sets.

Mac0783 · 07-03-2018 2:15pm

Hi,

Does anyone know how long the interviews are running for or when we can expect to hear the results?

Sharon2017 · 07-03-2018 2:25pm

Mac0783 wrote: »

Hi,

Does anyone know how long the interviews are running for or when we can expect to hear the results?

I don't know how long interviews are running until but I was told not to expect an update before the 4 week mark. Such a long time!

Jimbob1977 · 07-03-2018 3:53pm

As it's a fixed graduate programme with some external training involved, I wonder if we'll all be asked to start on the same date.

Sharon2017 · 07-03-2018 3:54pm

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

As it's a fixed graduate programme with some external training involved, I wonder if we'll all be asked to start on the same date.

According to my research, this is what happened the last time they did a LG campaign in 2014. People were sent up somewhere (Dublin or nearby if I recall) for training.

Jimbob1977 · 07-03-2018 3:57pm

Sharon2017 wrote: »

According to my research, this is what happened the last time they did a LG campaign in 2014. People were sent up somewhere (Dublin or nearby if I recall) for training.

Hopefully not in the middle of holiday season when people might have already booked a trip abroad

Sharon2017 · 12-03-2018 10:55am

Found this article about the last batch in 2015 for the 2014 campaign:

https://www.publicjobs.ie/publicjobs/publication/document/Local_Gov_Update.pdf

It indicates that were 3 days of training for all hires nationally in Croke Park and that around 120 people were hired

Mac0783 · 12-03-2018 11:59am

I'd love to know what grade this is pitched at, I asked in the interview but got nowhere, in hindsight I should have asked, who would one report to? Might have given me some idea

Graduate Opportunities in Local Government 2017

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