Administrative Officer 2021 in the Civil Service.

bjarbnickixo

I placed in the mid 30's which I feel like is on the lower scoring end for batch 1. It might be working asking public jobs in an email, but hard to know all the same unless someone posts their OOM here.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119638791#Comment_119638791

bjarbnickixo

Can anyone tell me, for clearance, do they let you choose the jobs you put down on your application when they ask for references? I haven't been long at my current job and wouldn't feel comfortable asking anyone here.

youknowyourwan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119648981#Comment_119648981

As far as I know they require a reference from your current employer.

youknowyourwan

I’ve got a start date for my dept. For mid December. Wondering does anyone know how time off over Christmas works in govt depts? Do they close until new year or will it be likely that I’m working through with the exception of Christmas Eve - Stephens Day.

bjarbnickixo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119649566#Comment_119649566

It says online they ask for permission to contact your current employer here in the 'stage 5' section. Was this not the case for you? Thanks.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119655778#Comment_119655778

In my experience, they stay open but not much work gets done during that week. Between xmas and New Years it was a 'clock in, close laptop, clock out' situation. This can vary from department and section of course.

skidmarkoner

I know for my CO it was the same I started about a month before they asked for clearance docs I explained my situation and they said it doesn't matter they want current employer references

youknowyourwan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119659019#Comment_119659019

Yeah they asked permission but they asked in the sense that they wanted to make sure I was comfortable with them being contacted for a reference in case I wanted to give them a heads up prior PAS being in touch. I had asked if the two previous employers references they got would suffice and they said they required a reference from current employers for an AO position. It made things very awkward as I had to basically tell my employer I was leaving without giving a notice …

Conqueror

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119655778#Comment_119655778

Christmas Eve is a working day (Not this year though, as Christmas Eve will be a Saturday), though Departments close earlier than normal.

The only days Departments are closed are for public holidays, so Christmas Day, St. Stephen's Day and New Year's Day. However, teams within Departments usually try to have an arrangement where everyone can take at least one more day off during the time between Christmas and New Year. However, as you're only starting in mid-December, there probably won't be time for you to book that extra time off. If it's any comfort, that spell between Christmas and New Year is generally very quiet, so you'll have a good chance to learn more about how the Department works.

Green188845

Does anyone know if it is possible to have a bit of room for maneuvre at the final stage in terms of what Dept you're placed in? I was assigned mine a few weeks ago. Its not related to my previous experience at all and wouldn't be an area I'm particularly interested in. Don't get me wrong, really glad to get the job but I assume the roles and careers of AOs vary a lot depending on initial placement. Do PAS ever reconsider these placements, or are they set? And are AOs often transferred between Depts?

Maestro85

A few questions on the AO role B&F 2022. Can someone tell me if there is remote work? I am embarrassed to ask this but what is the attire for this kind of role (I come from a job with a uniform so would a suit be over the top every day...)?

The remote work question is significant for me as moving to Dublin is a big deal for me in my current circumstances and wfh for some of the days would make it far more palatable.

bjarbnickixo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119663779#Comment_119663779

Thanks for this. What was the nature of the reference PAS asked for from your jobs? Was it all character references or was it just dates they looked for off the employer?

Also if anyone is comfortable enough with saying what Department they may or may not have gotten placed in I'd love a heads up!😏

youknowyourwan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119701453#Comment_119701453

They all had to be character based references. All my previous managers had to give them personally and not on behalf of the companies I’ve worked for as I’m sure you know character based references are unusual enough when moving about within the private sector. It was a pain trying to get all the references sorted - a lot of chasing up required on my end.

Stoptheworldandletmeoff

1 2

Shaney Boy

OOM for B and F panel has reached the late twenties

farmboy1

Thanks do you know how many are in each batch?

ihope

Hi ! could someone please tell what particular practice tests I can buy and which site, I've never bought tests before so bit worried about right place and category type to bye. I would like to have a try at the new october 22 Panel. Thanks a mil.

Itchyfeet89

Anyone working in the Department of Housing and Heritage as an AO? How many days in the office and what's the work like?

Itchyfeet89

Are they still placing people off 2021 panel or is this panel closed now?

doc22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119735752#Comment_119735752

Did you not get assigned there 7 months ago?

Itchyfeet89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119735783#Comment_119735783

I was but it was on hold for a variety of reasons, waiting for HEO campaign results etc.

doc22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119737346#Comment_119737346

Never heard of that, either accept or decline within a few days to arrange start, highly unusual they held place for 7 months.

farmboy1

Any updates on the AO bus and finance panel?

Juggler101

New thread for 2022 AO campaign

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058269403/administrative-officer-graduate-general-2022-civil-service

bjarbnickixo

For anyone wondering from B/F panel; OOM low 30's, Batch 1 has now been placed.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119775203#Comment_119775203

farmboy1

Has anyone had to get a PAS decision reviewed, I am on the panel but they are now questioning my BSc in Retail Services Management and MSc in Strategic Management as being a business degrees.

TU Dublin has confirmed them as being major business, but not PAS...

Maestro85

Does anyone know what working in the House of the Oireachtas is like?

Avenger2020

Hello,

does anyone know whether it is better to be assigned to Department of Finance or Department of Public Expenditure and Reform?

knockout18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120014179#Comment_120014179

No idea, but i'm getting assigned to one of those 🤔 B/F panel?

Avenger2020

I hope that speaks in DPER’s favour!

Kitkat1995

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119912566#Comment_119912566

I have worked in close quarters to the House of the Oireachtas and know numerous people over there in every section. They have never complained about it being boring and if anything, it is very interesting as you work with TD's and Senators. You will gain immense knowledge in how Government works and how legislation is done. It does depend on where you are but there may be late evenings/nights but overtime is most likely given. Hope this helps :)