Administrative Officer 2020 in the Civil Service

The_Conductor

doc22 wrote: »

On public jobs the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission are looking for a fully qualified solicitor at Administrative Officer (Solicitor) level

Would a fully qualified solicitor be happy to come into a public sector body at AO level though?

Seems like a bit of over-reach to expect a solicitor to apply for this post (to me anyway)?

The_Conductor

The_Conductor wrote: »

Would a fully qualified solicitor be happy to come into a public sector body at AO level though?

Seems like a bit of over-reach to expect a solicitor to apply for this post (to me anyway)?

You would be surprised.

I know of about a half dozen Barristers/Solicitors who started off as EOs when already qualified. With the added ideological pull the organisation will have for certain people, they will have no trouble filling it.

greensoda

nogoodusername wrote: »

Hi all, just wondering have any of you on the Business and Finance panel heard anything recently from PAS?

I submitted my form and haven´t heard anything since

doc22

The_Conductor wrote: »

Would a fully qualified solicitor be happy to come into a public sector body at AO level though?

Seems like a bit of over-reach to expect a solicitor to apply for this post (to me anyway)?

Well the state solicitors take on potentially unqualified solicitors and train them up at similar wage at beginning but top wage is far higher then AO. There asking alot here and post should be HEO level as it is in no way a graduate grade position.

Rose Violet

Hi folks,

I have a couple of questions re clearance. Apologies but I have not been through this process before. Firstly is it referees for the last 3 years or for the last 3 jobs or can I use other referees from prior to this time?

Secondly regarding qualification certs do I need to provide original certs for every qualification listed or is it just the degree and more recent qualifications. I can't find my leaving cert but have my matric results from the same year and am wondering whether I will need to apply for a replacement.

I haven't been contacted for clearance yet but am next on the OOM and am just trying to get organised given the drawn out process!

Thanks in advance for your help.

DerastiS

don456 wrote: »

Congrats, did you have much IT experience for the role or a recent grad?It interesting to see what type of person gets roles. Unfortunately for me I didn't make the cut..

I'm far from a recent grad but I didn't make the panel at all. I failed on showing drive and commitment to public service values

It was my first ever application to the public sector and I found it very different to the way the private sector would operate.

In the private sector if you bring someone into an interview you want to draw out their strengths and see if they know the types of things they say they do. Not everyone is an amazing communicator and not everyone interviews well despite being great on the job.

In the interview for the PS I did they seemed mostly interested in processing my application and evaluating only the stated criteria.

If I was applying again I'd have to think more about what to write down.

IT is doing pretty well right now and a number of places are offering fully remote if location is a problem. I wouldn't worry at all about not getting a PS position.

floorpie

doc22 wrote: »

There asking alot here and post should be HEO level as it is in no way a graduate grade position.

Presumably solicitors need degrees in law and therefore are graduates.

The_Conductor

floorpie wrote: »

Presumably solicitors need degrees in law and therefore are graduates.

Pretty much every single incoming EO has a degree- and its not graduate recruitment. Just because someone has a degree in law (or any other discipline) does not mean that they should be treated as entry level graduates.

This is at least partially why all those AO ICTs kept leaving.

floorpie

The_Conductor wrote: »

Pretty much every single incoming EO has a degree- and its not graduate recruitment. Just because someone has a degree in law (or any other discipline) does not mean that they should be treated as entry level graduates.

This is at least partially why all those AO ICTs kept leaving.

AO isn't an entry level graduate grade, hence many people in these threads with 10+ years of experience applying for AO competitions. It's a graduate recruitment grade, i.e. to be recruited you need a degree, regardless of how much experience you have.

That many EOs have degrees is irrelevant, EO doesn't require a degree.

I suppose this system made more sense when APs etc couldn't be hired externally and specialists with degrees would need to come in via the appropriate grade. Regardless, this usage of the grade AO or HEO just for the payscale is a little farcical and shouldn't happen, or should at least be consistent. E.g. I see the pensions authority had a similar solicitor's role at HEO last year.

Rose Violet

V1llachamp89 wrote: »

Reference check depends how quick and the quality of your reference. PAS were very picky for me by wanting character references. So I think it took around a week or so but I was on top of my referees to ensure there was minimal delays. After reference checks were complete it took a week until my department made contact to arrange a start date.

Can i just ask did you need to produce original certificates for courses completed in addition to the Degree? I have originals for everything bar a work related course completed years ago and my leaving cert is awol.

V1llachamp89

Rose Violet wrote: »

Can i just ask did you need to produce original certificates for courses completed in addition to the Degree? I have originals for everything bar a work related course completed years ago and my leaving cert is awol.

Keeping PAS happy was critical to minimize any questions back from them. The more documentation the better. To answer your question I produced my original degree and the transcripts of my results for each year of the degree. PAS to the best of my knowledge only asked for a copy of my degree scanned, but I thought it would be best to give them everything.

Just be mindful that PAS may insist on your leaving cert, are you able to request it? If not, I'll talk to PAS about this as they can be strict with documentation.

My advice is to give as much documentation as you can to avoid PAS delays.

Rose Violet

V1llachamp89 wrote: »

Keeping PAS happy was critical to minimize any questions back from them. The more documentation the better. To answer your question I produced my original degree and the transcripts of my results for each year of the degree. PAS to the best of my knowledge only asked for a copy of my degree scanned, but I thought it would be best to give them everything.

Just be mindful that PAS may insist on your leaving cert, are you able to request it? If not, I'll talk to PAS about this as they can be strict with documentation.

My advice is to give as much documentation as you can to avoid PAS delays.

Thanks so much. Good advice, I have ordered a copy of my leaving cert.

BlueAW

UCD issue electronic academic transcripts, would these suffice as originals transcripts or would I have to order hard copies to scan for clearance?

Augme

Rose Violet wrote: »

Thanks so much. Good advice, I have ordered a copy of my leaving cert.

Don't give them copies of all your results. Just give them one qualification that shows you meet the eligibility requirements. In the age of GDPR, organisations just don't wants to deal with documents they don't need or have use for.

Rose Violet

BlueAW wrote: »

UCD issue electronic academic transcripts, would these suffice as originals transcripts or would I have to order hard copies to scan for clearance?

I imagine the printable version of the transcript should have UCD's details and this would be fine. Do you also need to have it certified to be a true copy before you submit it?

delricyo

Rose Violet wrote: »

I imagine the printable version of the transcript should have UCD's details and this would be fine. Do you also need to have it certified to be a true copy before you submit it?

I asked PAS a similar question before about DCUs version and I was told that I needed the original

edenbridge146

don456 wrote: »

Congrats, did you have much IT experience for the role or a recent grad?It interesting to see what type of person gets roles. Unfortunately for me I didn't make the cut..

Sorry you didn't make the cut. Ive been trying for about 3 years and finally i got placed 11 and was offered the position today. But wasn't told what section/area I would be working - i am assuming it is Head Office in Dublin 1 and will be remotely working for the start. I have a Masters in Computer Science from 2014 and 7 years working in IT in local government in IT dept

don456

edenbridge146 wrote: »

Sorry you didn't make the cut. Ive been trying for about 3 years and finally i got placed 11 and was offered the position today. But wasn't told what section/area I would be working - i am assuming it is Head Office in Dublin 1 and will be remotely working for the start. I have a Masters in Computer Science from 2014 and 7 years working in IT in local government in IT dept

Is it in DSP

edenbridge146

don456 wrote: »

Is it in DSP

Yes in DSP

Fkny

Has anybody got an update on the HR stream?

The_Conductor

BlueAW wrote: »

UCD issue electronic academic transcripts, would these suffice as originals transcripts or would I have to order hard copies to scan for clearance?

Last time round I was asked for originals of the transcripts detailing the core credits earned towards the modular degree (from UCD- not sure if the modular degrees even still exist). Took a couple of weeks to organise, but I have them for this time round.

Zoulikha

Fkny wrote: »

Has anybody got an update on the HR stream?

3rd is being cleared in batch 1.

Aine1986

Has anyone had to get police clearance from the US? How long were you waiting? I sent fingerprints off a week ago, hoping it doesnt delay the clearance process too much!

RhysKrispie

Is Admin Officer a big deal or is it just... meh

haleyoshea

derailed wrote: »

Just got called up to presentation and competency based interview in just over 2 weeks. Got all familiarisation material from PAS having updated my application form a few weeks back. Early 300's in OOM originally.

For the detailed application form did you have to fill in any competency based questions or was it just education and work history?

floorpie

RhysKrispie wrote: »

Is Admin Officer a big deal or is it just... meh

When are PAS going to put this question into the FAQ verbatim

Maelenn

Does anyone know what is the dress code like for most departments?

MrsBean

Can vary depending on department and whether or not you are public facing/ deal with Minister etc. Go business casual for your first day/week to get an idea of how your colleagues dress. WFH attire is much more relaxed as long as your are presentable.

Maelenn

MrsBean wrote: »

Can vary depending on department and whether or not you are public facing/ deal with Minister etc. Go business casual for your first day/week to get an idea of how your colleagues dress. WFH attire is much more relaxed as long as your are presentable.

Thank you! I've asked my department about it, as my first day is on Monday, but they haven't answered it (they just answered another question I had asked in the same email)

Wear a suit on your first day. Probably no need for the tie but wear one the first day anyway.

Rule of thumb as an AO is to always at a minimum wear shoes, shirt and slacks. Keep a suit jacket and a tie in work in case needed.

If wfh wear a proper shirt when on video calls. If wearing tracksuit bottoms, don't stand up when on the call!