ricksanchez wrote: » Anyone know if there's been much movement in Dublin?
I am me123 wrote: » Question re - permanent Clerical Officer campaigns.. Are they a 'closed shop' as it were? Are TCO's who have passed their probationary period and proven to be up to the job generally the only candidates considered for positions if they have applied for same? All advice welcome. Thanks
Yogibear 1 wrote: » Hi I was wondering if anyone can help, I was assigned to the Department if Justice in a certain county in early December after Garda vetting was complete I got an email from justice HR just confirm addresses, as they were doing a security check, this was also early December. I was told location of the dept of justice so it is not an AGS assignment, does it normally take so long for a security check, I understand with level 5 restrictions may be delayed but I also emailed justice HR last week got automated reply and that is it ? Anyone assignment delayed in the Department of Justice ?
Bicyclette wrote: » The CO campaigns are run separately from the TCO campaign. Everyone does the competency tests and their merit is allocated on that basis. The only time you might have an advantage is during the interview process because you know what the work entails and you have an idea how the CS works. But everyone is treated fairly. They are looking for the best people for the job. And there are some very talented people, who have not done TCO work, who apply for the CO positions. I know some long-serving TCOs who didn't do well in the competency tests in the CO campaign.
I am me123 wrote: » Thanks. If someone has previously held a post as a TCO or CO within a certain period of time, are they exempt from stage 2 interview or am I mistaken when applying for the permanant campaign?
Bicyclette wrote: » In the past there have only been CO competitions every two years. E.g. 2016, 2018, 2020. I applied for the 2016 CO competition, did the aptitude tests in late 2016. In 2017, I was offered a 6 month TCO contract. I was still working as a TCO when I was called for interview for a permanent CO position. The interview was about competencies, previous work and life experience and other things. My interview was similar to that of others who didn't have previous experience as a TCO. The PAS needs to be seen as fair and impartial. Questions need to be standardised. My HEO was asked for a reference. But any other current employer would have been asked for a reference, regardless of where the person was employed. Reading through some of your previous posts, I'm not sure you fully understand how the PAS works. If you are offered an eight week contract, you work for eight weeks. Only in exceptional circumstances will a temporary contract be extended. There has to be a really strong business case made. And even then, there is no guarantee. Temporary Clerical Officer Jobs do not lead to Permanent Clerical Officer Jobs. Very occasionally things dovetail really well for people - as in my case (I was incredibly lucky) - but this is very much the exception and coincidental, rather than engineered. The situation this year is very strange. Some locations who would usually had one or more TCOs have had none. In certain cases, staff who leave are not being replaced. Flexi-time and over-time are no-longer available for most people and those working from home are working harder, smarter and sometimes longer (its common enough for people to work more than their core hours). People have had to be flexible, adaptive and creative in their work. In a nutshell, you were exceptionally lucky to have got eight weeks temporary work. Don't rock the boat. Don't let people think you have a sense of entitlement. You may need those references going forward.
telebingo94 wrote: » Thank you for all this info. Is flexi-time not available due to the Covid situation ?
Bicyclette wrote: » If you are offered an eight week contract, you work for eight weeks. Only in exceptional circumstances will a temporary contract be extended. There has to be a really strong business case made. And even then, there is no guarantee.
Mrs OBumble wrote: » An absolutely spot-on post. One thing to add: I am aware of one agency which has sometimes offered contracts of unspecified duration. They promise 8 weeks minimum, but some people are kept on for longer if the volume of work is there. (Hint: think which agency has had some huge changes in volume of work this year. as hundreds of thousands of people have applied for things at short notice). I suspect they have a statement like "and a maximum of 12 months" or similar - but haven't seen one to confirm: there's likely some verbal gymnastics to be 100% clear that this is NOT a contract of indefinite duration (the legal jargon for permanent), so they are probably confusing to red.
I am me123 wrote: » Also it mentioned that my appointment 'could not result in a contract of indefinite duration' so I guess that indicates that I'd be finishing up there sooner than later.
ari101 wrote: » This is included for legal reasons. Contracts of indefinite duration have legal rights similar to permanent contracts. If someone is on a temp contract with no specified end date, this language prevents them from claiming it is a contract of indefinite duration and should continue. (This is separate to the time length after which, regardless of specified end date, I believe all temp/fixed contracts automatically become CIDs. I don't remember the specifics of the amount of time but it is a couple of years.).
katiem111 wrote: » Hi, got perm CO in Nov. Turn up and find out have been assigned to Facilities Management. Long story short, I'm doing Service Officers work covering hols and sick leave, non clerical shift work, and my duties include checking hand sanitisers, fire extinguishers and making sure all the windows are closed at lock up. I can't afford to rock the boat but this seems like gross misrepresentation to me. Everyone is WFH, so have no-one to talk to, am disheartened at the prospect of doing this for at least the next 22 months. Any advice would be much appreciated.
katiem111 wrote: » Everyone is WFH, so have no-one to talk to, am disheartened at the prospect of doing this for at least the next 22 months. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Dublinfan2020 wrote: » Does anyone know the OOM for Dublin for interview stage
newbie18892 wrote: » They told me last week that they had interviewed up to OOM 1173.
Mrs OBumble wrote: » Mis-representation? The job may be called "clerical officer" but there's no promise of clerical work, you may be assigned to a wide range of duties. May people would be delighted to have a job like yours, rather than being glued to a desk reviewing social welfare claims, or stuck in a filing room for the whole week. Use the time to learn everything you can about what happens from your office, and to build as many relationships as possible with people in teams you'd like to be assigned to. (WFH won't last forever.)
Green farmer wrote: » could be worse, I'm still sitting on a panel thats barely moved in last 12 months, unable to get anywhere near a start. On the bright side, At least your in the door and can apply to all the internal competitions in a year or so.
katiem111 wrote: » Hi, yes, I do appreciate I'm lucky to have a job. I applied in 2018 but didn't make it, so was delighted to get through this time. Have been looking forward to this since March, just a disappointment that its not at all what I expected. Will just have to suck it up!
doc22 wrote: » Service officer work on clerical scale is a win
tinofapples wrote: » Try not to overthink it, it won't be like that forever. To be fair to you it's not easy starting ANY job under the circumstances, where you don't have someone with experience to bounce off or just company. Most people apply thinking of a 9-5 role so the shift-work must have come as a great surprise too. People be kind
