Emergency Call Takers and Incident Creation Representatives in An Garda Siochana

JKerova1 · 04-12-2020 1:01pm #1

Advertised today:

https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/index.php?option=com_jobsearch&view=jobdetails&Itemid=263&cid=126767&campaignId=20249405

The application form seems slightly different from before as there is a 'summary of experience' question below the employment record section, not sure what to put in there really.

No doubt they will whittle numbers down with some ridiculously hard aptitude tests firstly.

job seeker · 05-12-2020 5:50pm

Are you referring to the "supplementary information" section? If so I always put in information to support my application. Such as voluntary experience etc.

Gremlinertia · 06-12-2020 7:01am

Pondering applying for this, read the 25 page job details and i fit well enough but it will be my first time applying for a job in over twenty years so i'm going to need to read the previous thread i guess.

job seeker · 06-12-2020 2:05pm

Gremlinertia wrote: »

Pondering applying for this, read the 25 page job details and i fit well enough but it will be my first time applying for a job in over twenty years so i'm going to need to read the previous thread i guess.

Sure why not?

The shift work will put off a lot of people. As I assume that it won't suit some!

job seeker · 06-12-2020 10:19pm

I'm amazed that this thread isn't more active!

Is there anyone else applying for this?

EB_2013 · 07-12-2020 12:20pm

Did they always have aptitude tests for these roles?

insert name here 123 · 07-12-2020 1:22pm

What's the starting salary? I can't open the link on my phone.

Thanks

job seeker · 08-12-2020 12:17am

insert name here 123 wrote: »

What's the starting salary? I can't open the link on my phone.

Thanks

25k-40k

EB_2013 wrote: »

Did they always have aptitude tests for these roles?

Yes, the tests are essentially timed typing tests, if it's the same as the last recruitment!

Gremlinertia · 08-12-2020 12:19am

Timed typing?. Hmm, my pidgin method is fast enough but should i be considering learning touch typing??

job seeker · 08-12-2020 12:31am

Gremlinertia wrote: »

Timed typing?. Hmm, my pidgin method is fast enough but should i be considering learning touch typing??

I'm in the same position as yourself and I have considered learning touch typing. But...I am too slow at it. I am talking 10 words per minute when I keep my fingers on the home row. So I think personally, that wouldn't see me very far in such a competition. Ultimately it's up too you, I guess really depends how fast you can learn touch typing in. You know?

Edit: From what I can remember, the tests consisted of someone calling and giving personal details and it has to be input to the correct sections. I got called for the second stage, where the tests were supervised and I was under the illusion that my current job would go places, so I didn't attend it..

However, my job went no where... So I had major regrets..

EB_2013 · 08-12-2020 10:46am

job seeker wrote: »

Yes, the tests are essentially timed typing tests, if it's the same as the last recruitment!

Thanks, that's good to know.

Shau_98 · 09-12-2020 11:21am

I applied today as well! I wonder how long recruitment takes.

niteclubbecks · 09-12-2020 1:47pm

Shau_98 wrote: »

I applied today as well! I wonder how long recruitment takes.

I’m tempted to apply today.
What’s the application form like does anyone know? Also what’s the aptitude tests like?

Shau_98 · 09-12-2020 2:54pm

niteclubbecks wrote: »

I’m tempted to apply today.
What’s the application form like does anyone know? Also what’s the aptitude tests like?

Fairly basic, you fill them out online just asks name address DOB past employment and qualifications.
Don't think aptitude tests are until mid January from the booklet I read.

niteclubbecks · 11-12-2020 11:55pm

Shau_98 wrote: »

Fairly basic, you fill them out online just asks name address DOB past employment and qualifications.
Don't think aptitude tests are until mid January from the booklet I read.

Be interesting to see what the aptitude tests are like

Shau_98 · 12-12-2020 7:32pm

niteclubbecks wrote: »

Be interesting to see what the aptitude tests are like

Ive taken the ESB aptitude test and passed but it was kind of awkward. I wonder will there be a typing question?
Just curious as to what they're looking for in applications.

niteclubbecks · 12-12-2020 9:51pm

Shau_98 wrote: »

Ive taken the ESB aptitude test and passed but it was kind of awkward. I wonder will there be a typing question?
Just curious as to what they're looking for in applications.

Why was it awkward?

Shau_98 · 13-12-2020 1:42pm

niteclubbecks wrote: »

Why was it awkward?

Just some of the questions were very specific and required past knowledge on certain things.
The maths and English part was actually grand and got gradually harder the more your progressed.

I doubt they will use similar methods for this assessment

Bamboozle1982 · 13-12-2020 6:39pm

I have just seen the positions advertised and I will apply before deadline. looks like a good job and I prefer shift work to the Monday to Friday groundhog day grind. Does anyone know what the shifts are. I know there are 2x days shifts followed by 2 x night shifts but what are the actual start/finish times. thanks

13-12-2020 6:41pm

They should be 7 to 7.

niteclubbecks · 13-12-2020 6:48pm

bubblypop wrote: »

They should be 7 to 7.

(Shifts cover 24/7/365 and therefore include nights. The pattern is: two days from 08.00 to 18.00; the following two days from 14.00 to midnight; and the following two days from 22.00 to 08.00. These are followed by four rest days.)

Bamboozle1982 · 13-12-2020 7:03pm

niteclubbecks wrote: »

(Shifts cover 24/7/365 and therefore include nights. The pattern is: two days from 08.00 to 18.00; the following two days from 14.00 to midnight; and the following two days from 22.00 to 08.00. These are followed by four rest days.)

thanks, it says those shift times Castlebar, not the call taker role, for that it says 4 days on 12 hour shifts 2 days followed by 2 nights then 4 days off but doesn't give shift times

13-12-2020 7:09pm

niteclubbecks wrote: »

(Shifts cover 24/7/365 and therefore include nights. The pattern is: two days from 08.00 to 18.00; the following two days from 14.00 to midnight; and the following two days from 22.00 to 08.00. These are followed by four rest days.)

That's not what they work in the control centre in dublin.
It's 7 to 7

niteclubbecks · 13-12-2020 7:27pm

Bamboozle1982 wrote: »

thanks, it says those shift times Castlebar, not the call taker role, for that it says 4 days on 12 hour shifts 2 days followed by 2 nights then 4 days off but doesn't give shift times

Sorry I didn’t realize. I’d say 8 to 8

Shau_98 · 13-12-2020 8:26pm

Has anyone applied for Waterford? ☺️

Junior Blue · 13-12-2020 8:43pm

bubblypop wrote: »

They should be 7 to 7.

The shifts in the control rooms are 4 on 4 off12 hour tours.

07.00-19.00 days x 2 followed by 19.00-07.00 x 2 nights

Bamboozle1982 · 13-12-2020 8:56pm

the Dublin job is currently based in Harcourt St, it says behind Houston Station from 2022. either location is fine but if it was to move anywhere remote or not central that would mean it would not be doable for me as I don't drive. as its basically a call centre it could in theory move anywhere and that's a bit of a worry and makes me a bit reluctant but I will probably apply anyway and ask these questions if it comes to that. I am currently an EO but would be reverting to CO scale. I presume this can be done? I would actually be on more at top of EO scale with allowances but if could no longer do shifts due to not being able to reach location it would ruin my pension and I only have 10 years to go until planned retirement. If I got this job I would plan on staying until retirement

Bamboozle1982 · 13-12-2020 8:57pm

Bamboozle1982 wrote: »

the Dublin job is currently based in Harcourt St, it says behind Houston Station from 2022. either location is fine but if it was to move anywhere remote or not central that would mean it would not be doable for me as I don't drive. as its basically a call centre it could in theory move anywhere and that's a bit of a worry and makes me a bit reluctant but I will probably apply anyway and ask these questions if it comes to that. I am currently an EO but would be reverting to CO scale. I presume this can be done? I would actually be on more at top of EO scale with allowances but if could no longer do shifts due to not being able to reach location it would ruin my pension and I only have 10 years to go until planned retirement. If I got this job I would plan on staying until retirement

I meant on more at top of CO scale with allowances than currently on as EO

Span Molby · 13-12-2020 9:06pm

The building in Heuston is a brand new purpose built facility, so not likely to move anywhere after 2022

13-12-2020 9:20pm

Junior Blue wrote: »

The shifts in the control rooms are 4 on 4 off12 hour tours.

07.00-19.00 days x 2 followed by 19.00-07.00 x 2 nights

Which is what I said.

Junior Blue · 13-12-2020 9:25pm

Span Molby wrote: »

The building in Heuston is a brand new purpose built facility, so not likely to move anywhere after 2022

Agreed, and obviously that’s based on the new facility actually being ready in the first place by ‘22

Bamboozle1982 · 13-12-2020 9:26pm

Junior Blue wrote: »

Agreed, and obviously that’s based on the new facility actually being ready in the first place by ‘22

thanks, do you know is it beside the Tusla office there beside Heuston?

13-12-2020 9:28pm

The new control centre will be behind heuston station. Near the carpark.

Junior Blue · 13-12-2020 9:30pm

bubblypop wrote: »

Which is what I said.

Well in fairness you posted that they should be, I was just posting what they are.

Apologies if I caused offence.

Vologda69 · 13-12-2020 11:46pm

How do breaks operate on a 12hour shift

niteclubbecks · 14-12-2020 12:42am

Vologda69 wrote: »

How do breaks operate on a 12hour shift

Think it’s like two 15 min breaks and a 30 min lunch

Bamboozle1982 · 14-12-2020 1:22pm

niteclubbecks wrote: »

Think it’s like two 15 min breaks and a 30 min lunch

for a 12 hour shift there would be more than just 1 hour in total scheduled breaks. I would have thought 2 hours with maybe 1 hour, 30 mins and 2 x 15 minutes?

niteclubbecks · 14-12-2020 1:32pm

Bamboozle1982 wrote: »

for a 12 hour shift there would be more than just 1 hour in total scheduled breaks. I would have thought 2 hours with maybe 1 hour, 30 mins and 2 x 15 minutes?

It’s legally one 30 mins breaks and two 15 mins breaks. But could be different with this job

Waggamamma · 14-12-2020 3:24pm

Wow I would have said at least an hour and two 15 minutes. I get an hour if I do 8 and half hours, an hour and 15 minutes if I do 9 hours.

Edited to say this applies to my current job, not in this sector!

Samuel T. Cogley · 15-12-2020 11:45am

AFAIK there are at least 2 x 1 hour breaks and presumably some others to keep you within the Civil Service hours.

Junior Blue · 16-12-2020 9:26am

The break system is unit generic irrespective of civil service hours / systems. You simply couldn’t work 2 separate break schedules within the one unit as all C&C units are a mix of sworn Garda members & Garda Staff

niteclubbecks · 16-12-2020 10:22am

Has many people applied for this

Waggamamma · 16-12-2020 10:53am

niteclubbecks wrote: »

Has many people applied for this

It's been one of the most widely advertised recruitments I've seen in a while (facebook and the journal i think it was and a few others) so I imagine there is a lot of interest generated. I have no idea of numbers though, would be interesting to know.

CivilCybil · 16-12-2020 12:05pm

Has anyone else had trouble with downloading the application form.
We only have Android phones and a Chromebook and can't download it on any of our devices.

Bamboozle1982 · 16-12-2020 12:15pm

CivilCybil wrote: »

Has anyone else had trouble with downloading the application form.
We only have Android phones and a Chromebook and can't download it on any of our devices.

yes it is not very user friendly. I could not download it on my work pc, wife's work pc or tablet. do not have my own pc so had to do it on brothers laptop. had to download Adobe reader on that

CivilCybil · 16-12-2020 12:17pm

Bamboozle1982 wrote: »

yes it is not very user friendly. I could not download it on my work pc, wife's work pc or tablet. do not have my own pc so had to do it on brothers laptop. had to download Adobe reader on that

Thanks. Is it a generic form or pre-populated? Might try and ask someone if they can email it to me.

Gremlinertia · 16-12-2020 5:16pm

The hardest part of that application was finding a computer capable of showing the pdf, my work computer and laptop were too outdated

job seeker · 17-12-2020 12:27am

I use Foxit reader to download and edit the pdf.

Shau_98 · 19-12-2020 10:17am

Does anyone know is there any opportunities for progression in this role?

Samuel T. Cogley · 19-12-2020 10:47am

Shau_98 wrote: »

Does anyone know is there any opportunities for progression in this role?

Within the role would be limited AFAIK but there would be EO and HEO competitions confined to Garda Staff you could apply for and be moved to another area or Interdepartmental competitions within the Civil Service. In addition there is nothing to stop you going for open competitions also. Extra training has been a bit spotty with COVID but there are various schemes available for higher education but there is quite a bit of competition.

Shau_98 · 20-12-2020 2:29pm

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

Within the role would be limited AFAIK but there would be EO and HEO competitions confined to Garda Staff you could apply for and be moved to another area or Interdepartmental competitions within the Civil Service. In addition there is nothing to stop you going for open competitions also. Extra training has been a bit spotty with COVID but there are various schemes available for higher education but there is quite a bit of competition.

At least I know I can attempt to transfer to other departments and maybe access extra training. Thanks so much for your reply!

Emergency Call Takers and Incident Creation Representatives in An Garda Siochana

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