Senior Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Specialist in Civil Service

gougeaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120666034#Comment_120666034

Thanks HugoMyBoss. I'm not that familiar with the Civil Service recruitment process so if 'm on the panel and a position comes up is there another interview or is it just down to clearance and references at that stage?

rostalof

Yeah, that's it. Interviews are done now. When they get to your number on the panel, you'll be offered a position and they'll check out your references and do your vetting.

rostalof

The options for these type of positions outside of Dublin are limited, but there are some, so it would be no harm letting PAS know the counties you're interested in working in.

Daith

If you turn down an offer because of location, are you removed from the panel?

gougeaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120670021#Comment_120670021

I spoke to a recruitment exec in the PAS and explained my location preferences. Like you I thought if I declined an offer because of location I would be removed from the panel but she said no. They do like to know your location preferences so they can avoid rejected offers.

M1ssym00

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120656912#Comment_120656912

Digital Business Engagement Specialist

HugoMyBoss

Got my results of Software Developer role this morning, very happy!!

carlandlenny

Hi, sorry for a silly question, but I'm not at all familiar how the civil service works.

I applied for a very similar role to this ('Senior', IT, HEO level) and got an order of merit 18. Does this mean I'm 18th in line to get the job? Is this good or bad for such a position? I indicated I'd only work in Dublin, is it likely they will have 18 more positions this year?

Thanks!

EDIT after reading some posts above re location, and checking my application, it seems I did not specify Dublin, but in any case I'll only work there.

Daith

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120681755#Comment_120681755

Essentially you're 18th on a list. Various civil service bodies will ask for someone to fill that role and that list will be used and they'll work their way down. So yes, you'll be called if there's 18 vacancies ready to be filled (this could be over a year). If people are ahead of you but drop out or refuse, you might be called earlier.

carlandlenny

Thanks for that.

Roger1998

Hi All,

I placed Top 10 OOM in HEO Software Dev - the message gives the impression that there is only one position available but the campaign appeared to be open to a number of positions - is it likely I will receive an offer at some stage?

Thanks

M1ssym00

Yes, the email isn't very clear about any of this. The order of merit is your place on the list/panel.

I think Daith explained this earlier in the thread but basically all of the Civil Service will take people from this list, starting at the top. So it's not one position, but many different positions in different departments. How fast they go through the list depends on lots of things, both availability of roles and confirmation of references/vetting of people above you in the list.

If you're top 10 in the OOM it's very likely that you will get offered a position, it could just be in a couple of months rather than a couple of weeks.

I believe previous panels of this type were open for about 2 years so if you're lower down on the list/OOM you should expect to wait longer but most should get an offer at some stage.

Daith

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120682490#Comment_120682490

Generally, they won't run a competition like this without an expectation that multiple vacancies will come up. Though there can be quite a delay at times.

rostalof

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120682661#Comment_120682661

The confirmation of references/vetting of people above you on the panel will have no bearing on when you're offered a job. As soon as a position arises to be filled they move to the next person on the panel and offer it to them. If candidate X is offered a job with department A but has to work out 2 months notice or it takes a while for his/her vetting or references, once that candidate is going through that process, it's taken for granted that's where they're being assigned. When a job arises with Department B, it's offered to the next candidate on the panel, candidate Y, regardless of candidate X being confirmed with Department A or not. The whole system would grind to a complete halt if they stopped allocating positions to wait for vetting, references or notice periods. If candidate X ultimately doesn't pass vetting, that position will be offered to the next available person on the panel.

HugoMyBoss

Hi,

Has anyone been placed from this competition yet?

Cheers!

gougeaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121169958#Comment_121169958

Hi @HugoMyBoss , I have been placed from the Digital Business Engagement panel and will be starting in a few weeks. I am also on the Software Development Panel but have not heard anything from that.

Roger1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121169958#Comment_121169958

I'm going through pre employment clearance at the moment - but it's been 8 weeks since I've heard anything. Normal dept too, no in depth clearance and E-Vetting done within a week. Assume they're working through a back log. I was top 10 OOM

gougeaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121171607#Comment_121171607

@Roger1998 my clearance took over 7 weeks, was waiting 4 weeks after submitting references. I'd say PAS have a big back log due to summer holidays like you said. Drop them an email if you want to know what stage your application is at, it certainly won't do any harm. Best of luck!

Roger1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121171655#Comment_121171655

Thanks @gougeaway - I had been thinking that I may have missed an email etc. but your wait time has given me confidence! I had emailed the clearance mailbox last month but assume that has just been added to the backlog! I'll wait another little while and if not contact PAS.

Have you started yet or are you working notice at the moment?

gougeaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121172315#Comment_121172315

Working notice at the moment. When you complete clearance you will get a notification on your publicjobs.ie message board and the department you are being placed in will contact you directly. Hang tight!

dianana

May I ask, how long did it take to check your current employer's reference? Also, did you know the location where you would be placed during the clearance process or just aftet? I know the department, but don't know in which city and publicjobs do not answer the question.

gougeaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121204794#Comment_121204794

Took 4 weeks to check references and yes I knew the location from the beginning of the clearance process.

Roger1998

Got my contract last week...the end of a long wait! Now to move on to the longer wait of a one year probation 😅 Does anyone have advice on ensuring the best chance of passing, obviously planning on hitting the ground running but would appreciate any advice

gougeaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121375803#Comment_121375803

Glad to hear you got your contract @Roger1998, it does take time. I'm interested to hear about tips to get through the one year of probation too. I presume keep the head down and avoid lateness and absences would be a good start. Best of luck in your new job.

vivi.nova

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121171595#Comment_121171595

Hi @gougeaway Congratulations on your achievement! 👏 Could you please provide some interview tips?

gougeaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121627709#Comment_121627709

Hi @vivi.nova like most people say about PAS interviews, stick to the competencies and have examples. Always answer a question with an example of what you have done previously. I had two interviews a couple of weeks apart and learned a lot from the first and ended up doing much better in the second interview. In the second interview I tried to answer all questions with relevant examples and to highlight my strengths in terms of the competencies. I also had a better rapport with the second interview panel which was a big help. Good luck.

vivi.nova

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121647564#Comment_121647564

@gougeaway Thank you so much :)

SneakyBeaver

Has anyone been picked from the Digital Business Engagement panel from the interviews in December 2023? I placed high on the panel but I'm located in Galway and want to know if other positions have been filled nationwide?

As previously mentioned, it may be a waiting game for months instead of weeks as originally though.

SneakyBeaver

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121171595#Comment_121171595

I hope the new position is going well for you. How long were you waiting on the panel before being called and was it for outside of Dublin?

gougeaway

@SneakyBeaver I was placed on the panel in late May, notified of placement in late July, completed clearance in mid September. I was on a national panel and was placed outside of Dublin. Job going well and so far I'm happy that I moved from my previous job and employer.

SneakyBeaver

@gougeaway I'm glad to hear the new role is going well for you. Another question for you, does the role have any remote working options or would it be a case by case scenario.

gougeaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121710557#Comment_121710557

@SneakyBeaver 2 days onsite, 3 days WFH. It depends on what department you're assigned to. Some have 4 days WFH, others 2 or 3.

vivi.nova

Could anyone share how long it took for you to receive the interview results

SneakyBeaver

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121763509#Comment_121763509

I interviewed for the position in December 2023 and heard back later that month about being placed on the panel.

vivi.nova

@SneakyBeaver Thank you so much for the helpful information. I really appreciate it.

Ray666

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121666447#Comment_121666447

I was offered a position in Dublin