4 months in as a CO, considering moving.

job seeker · 01-11-2022 9:46pm #1

Hi, I am a CO for the last 4 months in IPS.

It's grand for the most part, I just think I would be better suited in the regular CS, as I really like the admin work.

I have been thinking of changing through an open competition into the Civil Service. So say for instance I get offered a job in the regular civil service and I have 6 months done. Will these 6 months benefit me in any way if I move into the Civil Service?

I assume I would be required to pass probation and another year for mobility? Will the 6 months benefit me in terms of the payscale, pension or anything else?

Thanks a million.

JS.

Kirbi · 02-11-2022 5:21pm

Unless they've changed things in Irish Prison Service recently, you are already a civil servant so those rules would apply.

You'll need to do a full 2 years in the new place to be eligible for mobility transfer (2 years are required in grade, organisation, and location/Zone).

I think the IPS service will be reckonable for pension purposes if you go directly from one to another - you might need to keep an eye on that when the time comes though, because of the vesting period rules for the Single Scheme.

You'd be a bit further on with your service for pay and annual leave purposes, but might need to follow up on that once you're in - making sure your increment date and step reflect your original hire date, and that you get your additional AL days for service at 5 yrs, etc.

02-11-2022 5:29pm

Just be aware that a PASO in ips gets paid more than a Co in the Cs.

02-11-2022 10:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058270023/4-months-in-as-a-co-considering-moving

Out of curiosity, what do you think would be different working in the CS rather than IPS? Type of work would be similar no?

job seeker · 06-11-2022 11:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119826400#Comment_119826400

Work would be similar yes, however it would be flexitime I'd be after! I just applied for the Dublin CO competition and i was something that I've just been thinking about.

job seeker · 06-11-2022 11:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119825223#Comment_119825223

That's correct! PASO is paid more, although flextime is something which I find quite enticing. Having said that, with rent in such short supply and all considered it's might be a better idea to just stay where I am. Originally, this role was intended for me as a way of getting my foot in the door.

job seeker · 06-11-2022 11:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119825179#Comment_119825179

Thanks for that! It's very informative. I am in two minds about it all. On one hand, it's good to have options, on the other it might be better to just do the two years and transfer out perhaps..

Kirbi · 07-11-2022 7:28am

You can always just go through the competition, and see if you get an enticing offer!

Also, FYI, IPS mobility is manual unless you're in the Longford HQ - but it does exist.

JKerova1 · 08-11-2022 1:12pm

I was in a similar position before in that I wanted to use the IPS as a 'stepping stone' into the general civil service as there was no Civil Service competitions at the time. I ended up being stuck in IPS for six years. It's virtually impossible to transfer out of IPS if you're a Prison Clerical Officer. Eventually I resigned and took a job somewhere else but I did eventually get into the general civil service and my service in IPS counted.

job seeker · 11-11-2022 9:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119843773#Comment_119843773

Yeah, the Competition is a good suggestion. It would just be tricky to get back to Sligo

Excuse me, How do you mean it's manual?

job seeker · 11-11-2022 10:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119849124#Comment_119849124

Oh, holy smokes!! 6 years is a long time! Not what I was hoping to hear! I mean the work in IPS that I am currently doing is that of an EO level. I'm not bragging either, I'm just stating that the workload is enormous and you're just expected to get on with it!

JKerova1 · 11-11-2022 10:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119863569#Comment_119863569

You have my sympathies. I really feel sorry for people who apply for 'CO' positions in the prisons, they have no idea what they are letting themselves in for and by the time they do it's too late.

Kirbi · 12-11-2022 9:47pm

Mobility is on the NSSO's HRMS system for most civil servants, but is a manual (paper-based) system for IPS staff outside Longford HQ (staff in the HQ get access because of an agreement between IPS and D/Justice).

I think IPS have the biggest cohort of mobility applicants who are fully manual. AGS (Garda) staff make applications manually to their HR, but the HR then put them on the system - Oireachtas use this method too.

It's a bit of an issue, because the mobility tech is pretty close to just *being* the system - it was built first, and the manual process was tied in afterwards as best they could. I've heard that getting your waitlist numbers and stuff can be a pretty difficult in IPS.

job seeker · 13-11-2022 3:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119863626#Comment_119863626

Thank you! That makes my situation more comforting! 😊 It really is, despite this, I'd not go back to my old hospitality role either!

job seeker · 13-11-2022 3:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119867345#Comment_119867345

Ah, thank you for explaining that to me! That is pretty interesting to be fair! You'd think that it would be beneficial if it was changed to all IPS Admin staff. Looks like open competition is really the best way to go in this case.

Kirbi · 13-11-2022 3:58pm

Yeah, IPS aren't a client of the NSSO in their own right and also aren't a legacy user of HRMS like AGS or Oireachtas, so I'm not sure if they'll ever be on the system properly.

17-11-2022 2:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119869367#Comment_119869367

They are paid by the NSSO but don't have access to people point

Kirbi · 17-11-2022 4:36pm

Yeah, sorry - not a client for HR services.

And I've no idea whether the payroll services are via Justice's MOU or if they have their own.

4 months in as a CO, considering moving.

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