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Administrative Officer Competition 2024

  • 20-09-2024 1:44pm
    #1
    Stranger Things
    Registered Users Posts: 165 ✭✭


    The 2024 campaign for Administrative Officers in the Civil Service is now open!

    The Administrative Officer (AO) is the main graduate recruitment grade for the Civil Service and provides successful candidates with the opportunity to progress to middle management. As an AO, you would have a crucial role in policy and strategy formulation across the spectrum of economic, financial, international, environmental, and social issues. Those appointed will have the opportunity to effect real change in the Civil Service and help shape a changing Ireland. You will also have the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the development and implementation of government policy over a period of time.

    Apply Today! 👉 https://bit.ly/LI_Org_AO24



Comments

  • #2
    M1ntyPyth0n
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 ✭M1ntyPyth0n


    Hi,

    Glad to see the 2023 thread predicted this right on time - someone has those inside sources!

    Regarding the application form on PublicJobs, I am affter entering my work history, education and answering all other questions, and then there's this:

    "Question 1 - Please give below any other relevant information in support of your application."

    Is this the equivalent space to do a cover letter type spiel? Is it looked for at all by the PublicJobs or the interview assesment panelists? What might people normally insert here?

    Thanks and good luck!



  • #3
    Mytimetoshine22
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45 ✭Mytimetoshine22


    Id imagine so

    A reason to why you would meet the capabilitiies etc of job etc so id link it to job spec etc.



  • #4
    Ash91
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭Ash91


    Does any know if you are an AO, does that mean you cannot apply for HEO internal competitions?



  • #5
    MFPM
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,653 ✭✭✭MFPM


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122650161#Comment_122650161

    As an AO you can't become a HEO, next promotion step is likely to be AP. They are essentially the same grade just the payscale for HEO is higher at the start.



  • #6
    PandaDancer
    Registered Users Posts: 24 ✭PandaDancer


    just wondering what the work from home situation usually is and where do most AOs go?

    Post edited by PandaDancer on


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  • #7
    poh90
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 ✭poh90


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122637460#Comment_122637460

    Did you receive any words of wisdome about what the hell to put into this very vague question. My first thought was to type up some materail around the capability framework. The capability framework, ..any advice on how to navigate it?



  • #8
    zara123
    Registered Users Posts: 15 ✭zara123


    yeah I’m quite stuck on what to say as it’s so broad. I was gonna try treat it like a cover letter and hope for the best.



  • #9
    Sark2024
    Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭Sark2024


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122663226#Comment_122663226

    Hi yes I got through in the 2023 general AO competition and this is what I did. The interview panel didn't directly refer to it, (however I also did the interview for the AO Environment Specialist and they did ask a couple of general questions about my application form that time) but it's a good place to mention anything that doesn't fit into the other sections of the form such as volunteering, awards etc that you'd like them to be aware of.



  • #10
    zara123
    Registered Users Posts: 15 ✭zara123


    thanks so much!!!



  • #11
    Sark2024
    Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭Sark2024


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122659244#Comment_122659244

    It depends on your Department but I'd say the average is 2-3 days at home.



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  • #12
    okaydo
    Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭okaydo


    Is this competition Dublin only?



  • #13
    MFPM
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,653 ✭✭✭MFPM


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122667019#Comment_122667019

    yes.



  • #14
    pumpkinireland
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭pumpkinireland


    This time it is a level 8 degree you need right?

    Is it always like that or level 7 was ok for other competitions?



  • #15
    Elliebellie90
    Registered Users Posts: 8 ✭Elliebellie90


    Does anybody have any idea if or when a nationwide competition might start?



  • #16
    anne001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭anne001


    I’m a primary school teacher applying for AO.

    Do you know what the likelihood is of processing to AP is?
    I didn’t realise you couldn’t progress to HEO, which I was hoping you could as AO will be a big step back in pay.



  • #17
    Stranger Things
    Registered Users Posts: 165 ✭✭Stranger Things


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122678711#Comment_122678711

    depends on your department really. I’ve heard Justice are good for promotions as it expanded. Smaller departments would not have as much demand.


    Id say 3 years (maybe less) if you were a talented AO. Tough though as I find AOs some of the smarter people in a department.



  • #18
    Duckylucky
    Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭Duckylucky


    Are there only certain departments that have AOs?

    Also if you did get AO, do you start at bottom of the salary scale even if you are earning more as EO?

    Any info appreciated.



  • #19
    catherder7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 ✭catherder7


    Hi, for those of ye who participated the previous competitions, did the preparation tests on PublicJobs match with the tests you actually passed? As in, were they the same in the type of answers/level of difficulty? I am worried especially about these infamous situational tests.

    It is my first year doing these competitions and I haven't done as good as I hoped because of those, and for the EO competition the tests were quite different - did well on the prep but barely passed the actual one. The AO job is exactly what I want to do, and I know that I am prepared for the rest of the competition, but I'd hate to miss out on it just because of the situational tests! If you have any advice on where to find more practice tests as well, that'd be very welcome.



  • #20
    Sark2024
    Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭Sark2024


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122679529#Comment_122679529

    The sample questions are fairly similar to what will come up in the real tests but there were a few differences.

    Numerical Reasoning: From my experience this was generally aligned to the sample questions in terms of difficulty however I remember the last question involved a chart with some currency conversions which I found challenging enough. That said some of the questions were quite easy too.

    Verbal Reasoning: Real test seemed a little harder but they're the ones I always liked least so it could be different for others.

    Situational: Similar level of difficulty to practice only difference is the style in the real tests they play videos of zoom meetings with real people in them and there's also text message conversations and some hypotheticals.

    I did both AO General and AO Specialist within a few months of each other and I'm fairly certain all 3 tests were identical the second time round. Situational for sure, but I remembered the currency conversion one coming up again and being annoyed I hadn't prepped for it.

    Post edited by Sark2024 on


  • #21
    anne001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭anne001


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122678795#Comment_122678795

    Thank you. And is the only progression potential for AO - AP? which i presume isnt easy to get as pay scale is much higher….or it would be possible to progress to HEO?



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  • #22
    anne001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭anne001


    Does this mean all positions for this competition will be Dublin based?

    Im in North Tipp / Limerick. Do open competitions ever come up for limerick?



  • #23
    MFPM
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,653 ✭✭✭MFPM


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122682203#Comment_122682203

    You can't progress from AO to HEO - they are essentially the same grade with differing pay scales to start with, AP is the next step from AO.



  • #24
    MFPM
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,653 ✭✭✭MFPM


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122682205#Comment_122682205

    Yes, it's Dublin only. There are a scattering of AOs around the country but very few.



  • #25
    Stranger Things
    Registered Users Posts: 165 ✭✭Stranger Things


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122682203#Comment_122682203

    As someone else said you can’t go from AO-HEO which are viewed as equal.


    AO to AP is a jump yes but in some departments (Health I believe) they like to promote people with potential quickly more than other departments. I don’t even think two of the Assistant Secretary’s in Health are 40!!


    So AO- AP is a good jump but it’s a realistic jump but can take a few years to do so.

    Many AOs do eventually become APs and higher though, most gen secs started as AOs. HEOs are usually people who are peaked, they have gone from CO level to HEO and generally are experienced so have staff compared to the younger AOs



  • #26
    anne001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭anne001


    Does anyone know how often the EO competitions are?

    Im a primary teacher with years of human resource experience most recently, so have a qualification + experience.

    I have applied for the AO open competition but have read on reddit that its extremely hard to even get called for interview, very competitive. Moving to Dublin also isnt really an option for me.

    It sounds like there are more EO roles are and they are not all Dublin based. There was an EO comp in June 2024? When is the next one likely to be? So disappointed I missed it.



  • #27
    Stranger Things
    Registered Users Posts: 165 ✭✭Stranger Things


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122687795#Comment_122687795

    next year. Believe this is only a year long panel.



  • #28
    anne001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭anne001


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122687808#Comment_122687808

    ok great thanks. So probably next summer time? Then usuallly a couple of months to a year to get placed?



  • #29
    Stranger Things
    Registered Users Posts: 165 ✭✭Stranger Things


    I’d say around September as this will be extended slightly due to the delays. Then around summer time after that to be placed at a guess



  • #30
    M1ntyPyth0n
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 ✭M1ntyPyth0n


    Don't forget to submit the application by 3pm tomorrow :P



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  • #31
    BhoyRayzor
    Registered Users Posts: 289 ✭✭BhoyRayzor


    You can go from AO to HEO in Revenue through internal HEO competitions, not sure about any other Departments.



  • #32
    Bill187
    Registered Users Posts: 15 ✭Bill187


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122682495#Comment_122682495

    Step up from AO to AP is big, it's not guaranteed nor is it as straightforward as it's made out here. I would say historically HEO would be peak for many but now there are many younger HEOs who would definitely disagree with that. I've seen some great and some terrible staff in both AO and HEO roles and when it comes to promotions it comes down to who's better rather than AOs being a shoo-in.



  • #33
    Abbotsford5
    Registered Users Posts: 84 ✭✭Abbotsford5


    It's not Dublin only as it is an Intradept comp. Like all comps these days it states in the booklet that it is envisaged that the majority of places maybe in Dublin. But there will be opportunities around the country so all should apply.



  • #34
    GabiNaschffer
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭GabiNaschffer


    does anyone know the dates? 😓 I didn’t save the booklet and now it is gone 🥺



  • #35
    M1ntyPyth0n
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 ✭M1ntyPyth0n


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122723380#Comment_122723380

    Online tests from 31 Oct to 5th Nov 2024

    Assessment Centre (Presentation & Interview 2nd - 6th Dec 2024



  • #36
    PandaDancer
    Registered Users Posts: 24 ✭PandaDancer


    does anyone know where I can get the booklet? I missed downloading it as well



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  • #37
    dublin_Horse
    Registered Users Posts: 51 ✭✭dublin_Horse


    24440904_Final_24440904_AO_General_2024 (1).pdf

    Here you go.



  • #38
    PandaDancer
    Registered Users Posts: 24 ✭PandaDancer


    Sending you major karma points your way 😍 Thank you!!



  • #39
    09shelly
    Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭09shelly


    Did anyone receive an invite for the test?



  • #40
    PandaDancer
    Registered Users Posts: 24 ✭PandaDancer


    no, but would like to know if anyone does



  • #41
    Abbotsford5
    Registered Users Posts: 84 ✭✭Abbotsford5


    no like any promotion if you are a serving CS you will start at the next nearest point in terms of salary that you are currently on. You can't get less than your current CS salary. For new entrants it's usually point 1



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  • #42
    Abbotsford5
    Registered Users Posts: 84 ✭✭Abbotsford5


    Does anyone have the link to the information booklet for this AO Comp? I forgot to save the booklet.



  • #43
    Abbotsford5
    Registered Users Posts: 84 ✭✭Abbotsford5


    Thanks for that just posted and downloaded that as well. Good luck to all in this comp .



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