Executive Officer in the Civil Service 2018 (Dublin)

Wheety · 03-08-2018 12:29am #1

Just received the email.

https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/?option=com_jobsearch&view=jobdetails&cid=93615

Fina82 · 03-08-2018 11:25am

Me too, do anybody knows how the qualifications work when you are from another EU country? The clarifications given are based in the Irish education system. I did the last year of school but didn't graduate, tia

The_Conductor · 03-08-2018 12:09pm

If this panel is 'Dublin only' does this infer all the COs/SOs who got EO get the regional posts on mobility- or does the 1:1:1 still apply?

The_Conductor · 03-08-2018 12:19pm

Fina82 wrote: »

Me too, do anybody knows how the qualifications work when you are from another EU country? The clarifications given are based in the Irish education system. I did the last year of school but didn't graduate, tia

Technically- EO is not graduate recruitment (the lions share of the applicants will probably be graduates though)- however, there is an assumption that you have a Leaving Cert- the fact that you did not graduate from secondary school- could be an issue. Your best bet is to contact PAS to clarify whether the lack of an equivalent to the Leaving Cert- rules you out. The whole process- takes time, and the further you get in the competition, effort and expense. If you're ineligible- you really need to find this out as soon in the process as possible (though some people who are ineligible use it as a manner of training themselves for doing competitions that they are eligible for.............)

In general- the EU equivalents for an Irish Leaving Certificate- are the agreed equivalents, as published by the CAO here.

The educational requirements for an EO in an open competition are currently as follows:

(i) have obtained a recognised degree or hold a qualification which would be acceptable to the Public Appointments Service as being of at least an equivalent standard;

OR

(ii) have obtained a pass or a minimum of Grade D in Mathematics and Irish or English in the Leaving Certificate Examination of the Department of Education and Science, having obtained at least an honour or Grade C in Higher, Common or Honours Level papers in at least five subjects in the examination, or have passed in an examination (or examinations) which would be acceptable to the Public Appointments Service as being of at least an equivalent standard;

OR

(iii) have obtained at least a Grade D in Mathematics and either Irish or English in the Leaving Certificate Examination of the Department of Education and Science or in an examination acceptable to the Public Appointments Service as being of at least an equivalent standard; and have passed the first year examination of a course leading to a recognised degree; "

cw67irl · 03-08-2018 1:13pm

The_Conductor wrote: »

If this panel is 'Dublin only' does this infer all the COs/SOs who got EO get the regional posts on mobility- or does the 1:1:1 still apply?

What is the 1:1:1 if you don't mind me asking?

Samjd · 03-08-2018 2:01pm

Would anyone know if a level 6 qualification and 2 years CO service would qualify one for this Competition. TIA

03-08-2018 3:05pm

Are you expected to have a lot of experience for EO level? I have a first class honours degree but only about 1.5 years clerical experience since I graduated. Currently working as a temporary clerical officer atm. Compitition is fierce as always, just wondering does anyone know what kind of people or experience they would be looking for or what sort of people have been sucessfull in the past? Would AO compitition be more suited to me?

uck51js9zml2yt · 03-08-2018 4:38pm

Lilly Ripe Timer wrote: »

Are you expected to have a lot of experience for EO level? I have a first class honours degree but only about 1.5 years clerical experience since I graduated. Currently working as a temporary clerical officer atm. Compitition is fierce as always, just wondering does anyone know what kind of people or experience they would be looking for or what sort of people have been sucessfull in the past? Would AO compitition be more suited to me?

Ao is harder to get. It's heo equivalent.

Know the competencies and have plenty of examples. You need to tick the boxes with terminology.

Sight808 · 03-08-2018 5:39pm

IS anyone having trouble trying to input data on that pdf, have latest version of adobe but doesnt seem to allow me enter data

The_Conductor · 03-08-2018 5:43pm

cw67irl wrote: »

What is the 1:1:1 if you don't mind me asking?

Union agreement- as vacancies arise they are 1/3 internal promotion, 1/3 interdepartmental promotion, 1/3 external recruitment. The recent agreement has been 1/3 mobility (that is pre-existing EOs who want to move elsewhere), 1/3 interdepartmental and 1/3 external recruitment. The fact that this competition is Dublin Only- would lend to the belief there are mobility posts involved in the mix.

The_Conductor · 03-08-2018 5:47pm

Samjd wrote: »

Would anyone know if a level 6 qualification and 2 years CO service would qualify one for this Competition. TIA

Leaving Cert is level 4 (or 5)- a level 6 trumps a leaving cert (its the equivalent of a higher cert from an institute of technology)- and its an open competition- so your two years CO service is moot- and doesn't confer any advantage on you over any other candidate.

The National Qualifications Framework details how the different qualifications are graded and how they compare to one another here...........

khlebnikov · 03-08-2018 5:48pm

Lilly Ripe Timer wrote: »

Are you expected to have a lot of experience for EO level? I have a first class honours degree but only about 1.5 years clerical experience since I graduated. Currently working as a temporary clerical officer atm. Compitition is fierce as always, just wondering does anyone know what kind of people or experience they would be looking for or what sort of people have been sucessfull in the past? Would AO compitition be more suited to me?

I would say there is no harm in applying for EO but at the same time you're kind of selling your self short. With a first class honours degree you would have a great chance at AO and HEO level (assuming you test and interview well). These competitions are a long drawn out process so you may as well apply for as many as you have interest / qualify for.

khlebnikov · 03-08-2018 5:51pm

Sight808 wrote: »

IS anyone having trouble trying to input data on that pdf, have latest version of adobe but doesnt seem to allow me enter data

I didn't have a problem filling it in, but when I downloaded the form from Public Jobs it was as if it wasn't complete, the header (Public Jobs icons) at the top was missing as well as "Candidate Name" and 'Candidate Number" before the relevant boxes at the top of the first page. I completed it and submitted it regardless.

The_Conductor · 03-08-2018 6:55pm

khlebnikov wrote: »

I would say there is no harm in applying for EO but at the same time you're kind of selling your self short. With a first class honours degree you would have a great chance at AO and HEO level (assuming you test and interview well). These competitions are a long drawn out process so you may as well apply for as many as you have interest / qualify for.

I'd say definitely apply- worse case scenario its a dry run for other competitions. I wouldn't say that its anything unusual for an EO to have a 1st class honours degree, a Grad Dip or a Masters- increasingly- large numbers of EOs (or even COs) are exceedingly well qualified. One point though- an EO or a CO post- is a general service grade- you might get lucky and be able to leverage certain aspects of your qualifications in your day-to-day work- but just as likely- you may be placed in an utterly and completely non-related area. There is no matching of people and their qualifications to specific posts- at CO/EO level- it simply doesn't happen...........

NatashaB16 · 03-08-2018 7:48pm

Samjd wrote: »

Would anyone know if a level 6 qualification and 2 years CO service would qualify one for this Competition. TIA

I think it'd be ok as there was an option of an Interdepartmental OR Open box to tick, so I'd tick Interdepartmental instead of Open and be good to go, but maybe confirm with PAS first? That's if it's a full 2 years service as a C.O. by the closing deadline (30th Aug I think) anyway as less than 2 years in the same role won't be accepted.

03-08-2018 8:15pm

The_Conductor wrote: »

I'd say definitely apply- worse case scenario its a dry run for other competitions. I wouldn't say that its anything unusual for an EO to have a 1st class honours degree, a Grad Dip or a Masters- increasingly- large numbers of EOs (or even COs) are exceedingly well qualified. One point though- an EO or a CO post- is a general service grade- you might get lucky and be able to leverage certain aspects of your qualifications in your day-to-day work- but just as likely- you may be placed in an utterly and completely non-related area. There is no matching of people and their qualifications to specific posts- at CO/EO level- it simply doesn't happen...........

Ya that's exactly on my line of thinking. My EO in my current position has a Honours Degree and spent years as a CO after graduation before getting that promotion. I feel like the standard is so high these days but there is no harm is trying I guess!

The_Conductor · 03-08-2018 8:16pm

NatashaB16 wrote: »

I think it'd be ok as there was an option of an Interdepartmental OR Open box to tick, so I'd tick Interdepartmental instead of Open and be good to go, but maybe confirm with PAS first? That's if it's a full 2 years service as a C.O. by the closing deadline (30th Aug I think) anyway as less than 2 years in the same role won't be accepted.

Tick both boxes- give yourself two bites at the cherry?
Just note though- its Dublin only.

thecomedian · 04-08-2018 12:34am

Samjd wrote: »

Would anyone know if a level 6 qualification and 2 years CO service would qualify one for this Competition. TIA

I was told that a Higher Certificate was acceptable. I’m not sure about other Level 6 qualifications.

Butterfly182 · 04-08-2018 9:32am

Does anyone know can a current EO apply for interdepartmental EO for Dublin? I am an EO already (will be permanent this month after passing probation) but I’m seeking a change. I will apply for the open one too but if I can do interdep too I might as well. PS I have over two years CS experience: TCO June 2016-August 2017, EO August 2017-present. I tried to ring PAC to clarify but I couldn’t get through. I also couldn’t see anything in the booklet regarding the matter.

I appreciate any advice that can be offered.

The_Conductor · 04-08-2018 9:39am

Butterfly182 wrote: »

Does anyone know can a current EO apply for interdepartmental EO for Dublin? I am an EO already (will be permanent this month after passing probation) but I’m seeking a change. I will apply for the open one too but if I can do interdep too I might as well. PS I have over two years CS experience: TCO June 2016-August 2017, EO August 2017-present. I tried to ring PAC to clarify but I couldn’t get through. I also couldn’t see anything in the booklet regarding the matter.

I appreciate any advice that can be offered.

Look at the rules about your current salary scale- and how it affects you for internal and interdepartmental competitions (no, is the short and simple- you can't apply for competitions the equivalent or lower than your current position). Note- this doesn't apply for open competitions- you could still apply for open- there are no restrictions on your application for open..........

Have you put yourself down for mobility? If not- do so asap- as mobility posts may take up to a third of these posts.

Butterfly182 · 04-08-2018 9:48am

The_Conductor wrote: »

Look at the rules about your current salary scale- and how it affects you for internal and interdepartmental competitions (no, is the short and simple- you can't apply for competitions the equivalent or lower than your current position). Note- this doesn't apply for open competitions- you could still apply for open- there are no restrictions on your application for open..........

Have you put yourself down for mobility? If not- do so asap- as mobility posts may take up to a third of these posts.

Cheers. I have put myself down for CS Mobility for Cork, Waterford or Limerick but I haven’t seen any movement on this panel. PeoplePoint seem to be deferring the start date all of the time so it’s very disheartening. I don’t know how to go about mobility for Dublin. I don’t think it was an option a few months ago when I applied for mobility.

The_Conductor · 04-08-2018 11:16am

Butterfly182 wrote: »

Cheers. I have put myself down for CS Mobility for Cork, Waterford or Limerick but I haven’t seen any movement on this panel. PeoplePoint seem to be deferring the start date all of the time so it’s very disheartening. I don’t know how to go about mobility for Dublin. I don’t think it was an option a few months ago when I applied for mobility.

Mobility only restarted in March/April- ask some of your colleagues there were e-mails sent around about it (asking people to ensure their profiles were uptodate etc). There have been some movements in Cork (no idea about Waterford and Limerick)- it is worthwhile chasing it.

Milenauno · 08-08-2018 3:41pm

I am having problems filling the form, it wouldn't add more employment sections and the page with name and applicant number is not interactive. Any suggestions?

Wheety · 08-08-2018 4:01pm

Milenauno wrote: »

I am having problems filling the form, it wouldn't add more employment sections and the page with name and applicant number is not interactive. Any suggestions?

You filling it in, in your browser? Sometimes it's better to download the form properly and fill it in.

The name and applicant number is only editable on the first page.

Tubberfinn · 08-08-2018 8:46pm

I have downloaded the form and completed it. However it won't save correctly - just saves the full document as one page saying :
Please wait...

If this message is not eventually replaced by the proper contents of the document, your PDF
viewer may not be able to display this type of document. blah blah blah...

But I have the latest Adobe (I just used it to complete the form !!)

I have tried it on different computer and browsers.

Did anyone else have this problem and come up with a solution?

TIA

busymammy · 08-08-2018 8:55pm

Tubberfinn wrote: »

I have downloaded the form and completed it. However it won't save correctly - just saves the full document as one page saying :
Please wait...

If this message is not eventually replaced by the proper contents of the document, your PDF
viewer may not be able to display this type of document. blah blah blah...

But I have the latest Adobe (I just used it to complete the form !!)

I have tried it on different computer and browsers.

Did anyone else have this problem and come up with a solution?

TIA

Go to downloads on your PC and its saved there ready to fill.

Milenauno · 08-08-2018 8:57pm

Tubberfinn wrote: »

I have downloaded the form and completed it. However it won't save correctly - just saves the full document as one page saying :
Please wait...

If this message is not eventually replaced by the proper contents of the document, your PDF
viewer may not be able to display this type of document. blah blah blah...

But I have the latest Adobe (I just used it to complete the form !!)

I have tried it on different computer and browsers.

Did anyone else have this problem and come up with a solution?

TIA

I just solved. With PC wouldn’t work so I tried on Mac computer and no problem.

Tubberfinn · 08-08-2018 9:05pm

busymammy wrote: »

Go to downloads on your PC and its saved there ready to fill.

Thanks but I have filled it in completely but when I try to save it to upload its not working

Tubberfinn · 08-08-2018 9:05pm

Milenauno wrote: »

I just solved. With PC wouldn’t work so I tried on Mac computer and no problem.

Im on a Mac - so tried it on a windows laptop and no joy either. :mad:

busymammy · 08-08-2018 9:30pm

Tubberfinn wrote: »

busymammy wrote: »

Go to downloads on your PC and its saved there ready to fill.

Thanks but I have filled it in completely but when I try to save it to upload its not working

I found the form on downloads. Filled it in (pdf). After signed, saved in documents, then attached to the application. Have you tried this way?

Wheety · 09-08-2018 9:51am

There's still a big issue with Chrome and these forms. It might look like it's opened in Adobe but if it has a URL at the top then it's in your browser. In Chrome pressing Ctrl + J will open your download list, click Show in folder for the form and then double click to open in Adobe proper.

Don't have it open in your browser when you do this.

Gaffer78 · 09-08-2018 10:25am

Wheety wrote: »

There's still a big issue with Chrome and these forms. It might look like it's opened in Adobe but if it has a URL at the top then it's in your browser. In Chrome pressing Ctrl + J will open your download list, click Show in folder for the form and then double click to open in Adobe proper.

Don't have it open in your browser when you do this.

ive found these forms typically open much better in internet explorer as opposed to chrome

Wheety · 09-08-2018 10:26am

Gaffer78 wrote: »

ive found these forms typically open much better in internet explorer as opposed to chrome

Yeah it does work in IE. Chrome for some reason doesn't play well with them.

The Black Oil · 09-08-2018 9:37pm

How much employment history should I include, just keep adding boxes?

Milenauno · 09-08-2018 9:42pm

The Black Oil wrote: »

How much employment history should I include, just keep adding boxes?

Well I don’t think there is a rule, depends of experience and age. I included 5, the most relevant ones, no casual jobs, no short term. Hope that’s ok

redmgar · 13-08-2018 2:15pm

hi, does anyone have suggested phrases and terminology that would be beneficial in using when completing the application form?

TheJet · 13-08-2018 2:50pm

The Black Oil wrote: »

How much employment history should I include, just keep adding boxes?

It says at the top of employment history to include employment since leaving school or college

SJ. · 13-08-2018 3:57pm

redmgar wrote: »

hi, does anyone have suggested phrases and terminology that would be beneficial in using when completing the application form?

Hi

Not a direct answer, but the forms are a really important part of your interview prep - at least 50% of it.

You should paste the relevant competency requirements (from this: https://www.publicjobs.ie/documents/Executive_Officer_Competencies.pdf) into the answer boxes, and only delete each point when you have a clear example that addresses it.

Sinus pain · 13-08-2018 6:56pm

Does anyone else have a problem with the word count? I tried copy and pasting from word - typing freely and it won’t let me enter all my data in - so much so that it stops mid word- the most I want to put in is 169 words. It doesn’t say a word count or am I missing something?

FenFlynn · 16-08-2018 5:01pm

Glad to see this post up and running. I just filled my application form in quickly and sent it straight away. Should've probably pondered a bit further before jumping into it. Anyone know any practice for the first part of the test? I did one a while ago and was short of quite a few points.

EmBy · 18-08-2018 10:06pm

Hi, my first time filling in one of these forms and was wondering do I have to fill in any periods where I was unemployed eg I finished college in May and started working in August. Would I need to add another employment form for this? The form seems odd, asking for months employed instead of years and salary at the time.

Pudsy33 · 18-08-2018 10:44pm

EmBy wrote: »

Hi, my first time filling in one of these forms and was wondering do I have to fill in any periods where I was unemployed eg I finished college in May and started working in August. Would I need to add another employment form for this? The form seems odd, asking for months employed instead of years and salary at the time.

I dont think you'd be expected to fill in 2 months of unemployment after college.

Linking123! · 21-08-2018 4:02pm

Hi Filling in the application form and they are asking for salary, how would you remember something you where paid in year 2000?

Joem123556 · 22-08-2018 12:37pm

I wonder will there be a campaign coming for outside Dublin

Crunchymomma · 22-08-2018 1:15pm

Joem123556 wrote: »

I wonder will there be a campaign coming for outside Dublin

I think booklet said early 2019

carnie · 22-08-2018 4:43pm

I presume they're going to be looking for competencies after the assessments. However, is anyone putting some of their comps into the supplementary information box?

Skip13 · 22-08-2018 5:36pm

carnie wrote: »

I presume they're going to be looking for competencies after the assessments. However, is anyone putting some of their comps into the supplementary information box?

Its really up to you, you can reiterate stuff in the supplementary info or use the space to highlight something new, that's not covered by the comps.

DonegalBogger · 31-08-2018 7:38pm

I'm currently working for a Local Authority in a comparable role to Executive Officer but have applied for the EO panel due to location.
Does anyone know when you are going from an LA to civil service do you lose increments for pay and pension purposes.
Also as I am in the LA quite a while, I can retire at age 60, would I be able to do this if I were to take an EO job in the civil service?

Thanks.

The Black Oil · 31-08-2018 7:39pm

How's everyone getting on?

Applied a few weeks ago. Keep getting this thread mixed up with the Revenue one.

The_Conductor · 31-08-2018 7:52pm

DonegalBogger wrote: »

I'm currently working for a Local Authority in a comparable role to Executive Officer but have applied for the EO panel due to location.
Does anyone know when you are going from an LA to civil service do you lose increments for pay and pension purposes.
Also as I am in the LA quite a while, I can retire at age 60, would I be able to do this if I were to take an EO job in the civil service?

Thanks.

If its an open competition- you *need* to contact PAS to confirm- typically- a civil servant does not keep their increments or their service for the purpose of higher scales etc. In some cases- you may be allowed keep your current salary- and 'mark-time' on the salary scale until such time as the people coming in at point 1 on the scale catch up on you- which might very well be 10+ years- before you get an increment.............

You need to contact PAS and get them to clarify the position for you- many pre-existing civil servants have been caught out by accepting posts from the last Open EO- there have been several threads here on boards from people shocked at how they weren't allowed keep increments, or pension rights or rules differed..............

Contact PAS- but don't assume you're entitled to hold your current benefits (unless its a confined competition)..............

DonegalBogger · 31-08-2018 8:46pm

The_Conductor wrote: »

If its an open competition- you *need* to contact PAS to confirm- typically- a civil servant does not keep their increments or their service for the purpose of higher scales etc. In some cases- you may be allowed keep your current salary- and 'mark-time' on the salary scale until such time as the people coming in at point 1 on the scale catch up on you- which might very well be 10+ years- before you get an increment.............

You need to contact PAS and get them to clarify the position for you- many pre-existing civil servants have been caught out by accepting posts from the last Open EO- there have been several threads here on boards from people shocked at how they weren't allowed keep increments, or pension rights or rules differed..............

Contact PAS- but don't assume you're entitled to hold your current benefits (unless its a confined competition)..............

Thanks for the reply.
Do you happen to have the links to the threads that you talk about?

Executive Officer in the Civil Service 2018 (Dublin)

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