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Higher Executive Officer 2024

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Comments

  • #2
    hungerjames
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭hungerjames


    Link to publicjobs.ie capability framework for Higher Executive Officer is here: https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/information-hub/capability-framework/higher-executive-officer

    DPENDR Circular 07/2024 – Interdepartmental Competition for Promotion to Higher Executive Officer (HEO) in the Civil Service refers - will be published to gov.ie/circulars later.



  • #3
    SpringThing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 ✭SpringThing


    Can't decide on local or Dublin, Leaning towards Dublin. Currently on EO probation after recently being promoted from CO but going to apply for this anyways.



  • #4
    hungerjames
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭hungerjames


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122115850#Comment_122115850

    It seems to be a new thing to only ask for 1 location rather than 2 - the overwhelming bulk of appointments will be made from Dublin unless you're near the top of the panel for your county, I would think, based on where the available positions are.

    Definitely go for it as you are just as eligible as anyone else and the new capability based system should be a lower bar for entry - you don't have to already be working at a HEO level, is my understanding, you just have to show based on your previous experience that you could. I think capability based will make the jump from CO to EO much easier in particular because I think most COs fail that due to a lack of management experience that isn't actually asked of them at their level.

    (BTW I have nothing to do with this competition, so don't take this as any kind of official advice!)



  • #5
    skidmarkoner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 455 ✭✭skidmarkoner


    I wonder if they are doing tests 🤔



  • #6
    hungerjames
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭hungerjames


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122116119#Comment_122116119

    It's confirmed that Stage 1 is verbal and numerical tests (doesn't seem to have the situational test this time), then Stage 2 is Shortlisting, then Stage 3 is practical exercise and interview.

    There's a Vimeo link in the circular, click it when it goes live as it's very in-depth about every section of the new criteria. It even has sample interview Qs.



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  • #7
    MFPM
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,029 ✭✭✭MFPM


    Three stages! Given how slow the process can be, it could be September or later before anyone is appointed..



  • #8
    skidmarkoner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 455 ✭✭skidmarkoner


    Thanks time to put some prep into the tests, any advice would be welcomed



  • #9
    hungerjames
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭hungerjames


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122116326#Comment_122116326

    My advice with regard to the numerical and verbal:

    • Sounds obvious but don't be anywhere you can easily be interrupted. There are always horror stories on here of the husband who kept trying to ask random questions halfway through, the postman waving at you through the window with your parcel that you were ignoring etc :) You'll need stable internet, pen and paper for rough work and a calculator - it's way better to have a physical calculator.
    • Don't go spending big money on third party companies who offer practise tests! My opinion (only) is that these aren't worth it. PAS change test providers every now and then, and you might be practicing a test that doesn't even have the same format as the one you'll be completing.
    • They send a practice test out alongside the invitation to the real test. If you do the practice test once or twice to get a sense of the questions, that's all the preparation you'll need in advance.
    • If a question will take you a million years to work out, it's OK to skip and come back to it in the interests of speed and accuracy. Some people suggest you start taking random guesses near the end if you aren't done - I advise against it. IMO getting them generally correct and as much as you could get done is better than just throwing chaos at the wall and seeing what sticks.
    • For the verbal, if you have three options, True, False, Don't Know - "Don't Know" is a perfectly acceptable answer and isn't a cop-out. Sometimes the information genuinely won't be in the paragraph above.
    • Lastly - deep breaths and you'll be fine!! You're more able than you think.


  • #10
    skidmarkoner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 455 ✭✭skidmarkoner


    Legend



  • #11
    Patches oHoulihan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 121 ✭✭Patches oHoulihan


    What's the top pay of a HEO?



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  • #12
    furrybones
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 970 ✭✭✭furrybones


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122116922#Comment_122116922

    Civil Service pay scales….

    image.png

    https://www.forsa.ie/pay-scales/civil-service-salary-scales/

    "Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts"



  • #13
    ShrimpTech39
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭ShrimpTech39
    Nell


    Yeehaw!



  • #14
    ShrimpTech39
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭ShrimpTech39
    Nell


    What is practical testing in stage 3?



  • #15
    gestappo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 511 ✭✭✭gestappo


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122118094#Comment_122118094

    You've to research a specific topic, write 3 or 4 detailed pages on the subject and then do a live presentation along with answering questions, right before your interview.



  • #16
    ShrimpTech39
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭ShrimpTech39
    Nell


    Thanks. I thought that was just for open competitions, not Interdepartmental.



  • #17
    ShrimpTech39
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭ShrimpTech39
    Nell


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122118145#Comment_122118145

    Thanks. I thought that was just for open competitions, not Interdepartmental.



  • #18
    Augme
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,611 ✭✭✭Augme


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122118823#Comment_122118823

    There's no general grade open HEO competition for the civil service.

    Post edited by Augme on


  • #19
    hungerjames
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭hungerjames


    Edited original post to add competition brochure and Vimeo link.

    The Vimeo is really good about the new framework, what they're asking, how it will be scored etc.



  • #20
    cgordy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26 ✭cgordy


    Does anyone know if AOs on probation are eligible? I've heard mixed things about this.



  • #21
    MFPM
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,029 ✭✭✭MFPM


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122119799#Comment_122119799

    AOs are not eligible to compete for HEO, fairly sure probation makes no difference to this.



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  • #22
    skidmarkoner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 455 ✭✭skidmarkoner


    I wonder if it's possible to see how many applied for the last competition in any area



  • #23
    Lemon Davis lll
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 111 ✭✭Lemon Davis lll


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122119854#Comment_122119854

    Page 5 of the circular has a county-by-county breakdown of HEO's appointed from the 2020 & 2022 competitions



  • #24
    skidmarkoner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 455 ✭✭skidmarkoner


    Oh but I was thinking say if dunlin had 10k applications but 262 hires what is likelihood ill get called



  • #25
    jules86
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 563 ✭✭✭jules86


    If you pass all stages there is a good chance you will get called for Dublin. Check last discussion to see if panel exhausted

    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122120322#Comment_122120322


  • #26
    Watermelonsugar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 ✭Watermelonsugar


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122115850#Comment_122115850

    Looking at the first paragraph of booklet I would say deffo go for Dublin if feasible for you, competition seems to be primarily for posts there as previous panel still being used elsewhere plus this comp has a shorter panel lifetime



  • #27
    Watermelonsugar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 ✭Watermelonsugar


    Excellent advice on numericals. Physical calculator and no distractions are essential. Just wanted to add I utilised free trial versions of paid tests once dates announced and defo helped with speed even if format was different.

    Also used YouTube videos for areas id fluster or felt time consuming and found fluster really useful shortcuts for averages percentages etc

    It's all about practice & prep.



  • #28
    ShrimpTech39
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭ShrimpTech39
    Nell


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122122826#Comment_122122826

    Are there any good websites for calculating averages / percentages / statistics that you found? I could actually do with this in my day to day work haha.



  • #29
    Mr lebowski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 124 ✭✭Mr lebowski


    Hi,

    I am just catching up on this now. The last HEO panel stated that if u worked in the public service previously you could count that time towards the 2 years requirement. Am I correct in thinking that doesn't apply this time and if you have under 2 years in the civil service you are ineligible?. Or is there something I am missing?



  • #30
    CiboC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 547 ✭✭✭CiboC


    The circular states that, on 06/06/24, you have to:

    be serving in a permanent, temporary or acting capacity in the Civil Service in a grade below that of Higher Executive Officer or equivalent

    and

    have completed not less than two years’ service in the Civil Service.

    The 2 years does not have to be continuous and does not have to be directly prior to 06/06/24, but if you simply don't have 2 years service in total from somewhere, sometime, you are ineligible



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  • #31
    fritzelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,018 ✭✭✭✭fritzelly


    There's no qualification minimum for this, at least can't see anything in the circular?



  • #32
    Augme
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,611 ✭✭✭Augme


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122130769#Comment_122130769

    Correct, no educational qualification required.



  • #33
    Mr lebowski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 124 ✭✭Mr lebowski


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122130732#Comment_122130732

    Thanks for the reply. If my time as a TCO previously a few years back counts then I will be eligible. I appreciate the response.



  • #34
    EmmaMol
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32 ✭EmmaMol


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122118145#Comment_122118145

    I've never made it past shortlisting before, hopefully do this time but has this been typical for heo comps in the past? I know the standard has to be higher but there does seem to be an awful amount of hoops to jump through for it that I don't remember seeing before.



  • #35
    Stranger Things
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 173 ✭✭Stranger Things


    Just finished my one year probation and would have loved to apply. Can be so annoying these two year requirements…..



  • #36
    gestappo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 511 ✭✭✭gestappo


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122135772#Comment_122135772

    The candidates in the previous PAS HEO Comp had to do a presentation too, so this isn't new. The application form itself though seems more in-depth this time around



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  • #37
    skidmarkoner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 455 ✭✭skidmarkoner


    The last year had no tests, this year has a new framework + tests ontop of what previous panels had to do. I get a sense they'll either be extremely tough on applicants this year and do an open comp in 2026 or go soft of us I don't think this is anyway a normal year for HEO inter d



  • #38
    gestappo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 511 ✭✭✭gestappo


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122136609#Comment_122136609

    Plus the panel ends Nov 2025

    I thought in the last HEO comp they had the usual tests?



  • #39
    prin2023
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24 ✭prin2023


    Hello, Do they ever ask for you leaving cert results? I have leaving cert but cannot remember exact results for each subject. Hoping to go for this comp. Have been in CS for 7 years now



  • #40
    NillyNIR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 ✭NillyNIR


    I was thinking the same thing, could score easier as we are a trial run to a new system so fingers crossed



  • #41
    Dublin2024
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13 ✭Dublin2024


    I’m not sure wether shortlisting is definitely used, it mentioned it in the EO 2024 booklet but they went straight to psychometric tests instead - perhaps this comp could be the same?



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  • #42
    skidmarkoner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 455 ✭✭skidmarkoner


    What kind of clearance fo they require if you get to that stage? Is it just a thumbs by HR or does your line manager have to write a letter?



  • #43
    dub70
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81 ✭✭dub70


    Just a record of sick and check boxes for time keeping, recommendation and comments. You are entitled to see the form



  • #44
    skidmarkoner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 455 ✭✭skidmarkoner


    So no references just records?



  • #45
    prin2023
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24 ✭prin2023


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122141923#Comment_122141923

    Also, anyone any experience witht he practical exam previously? Is it a presentation?



  • #46
    dub70
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81 ✭✭dub70


    Not as such, it just asks if person is suitable and you just tick box. They can call for an informal reference. That's just how we did it in AGS but other departments may do things differently



  • #47
    hungerjames
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭hungerjames


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122142949#Comment_122142949

    Vimeo says psychometrics first, then shortlisting after. Presentation and interview last. From their perspective there's no point shortlisting people for the interview if they fail the tests.

    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122144430#Comment_122144430

    Good detail about this in the Vimeo. It's the same as the last competition, it's along the general lines of you are emailed in advance with a choice of three topics (different for each person) and have to submit a document in advance of the interview, and then give it as a presentation pre-interview, for about 15 mins with question and answer session included, on how you would go about implementing a particular goal in the PFG with your chosen department. Question and answer will be checking how you came about your plan, why you chose the particular deadlines you did, what sources did you pull from etc. Can you put together a plan for something in a way that makes sense, in other words, and present it to a team, in line with the criteria for interview.



  • #48
    society4
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 268 ✭✭society4


    is this competition open to EOs in the public sector ….i don’t see the advert on public jobs.ie..



  • #49
    hungerjames
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭hungerjames


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122149023#Comment_122149023

    My read of the Circular (linked in the original post) is that it's Civil Service only.



  • #50
    society4
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 268 ✭✭society4


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122149076#Comment_122149076

    I think you are right ….do they ever have general competitions for HEO that public servants can apply for through PAS?



  • #51
    Watermelonsugar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 ✭Watermelonsugar


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122149872#Comment_122149872

    The generalist HEO grade is a promotional middle management grade so has always been interdepartmental or internal mostly requiring 2 yrs civil service experience.

    From time to time there are HEO open competitions for specific roles like IT, HR, Communications etc. but not for the large panels.

    I think public sector orgs like local government, agencies and authorities have Staff Officer open competitions more frequently in a similar style



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