The position of Senior Staff Officer is a middle management grade within the Council. A Senior Staff Officer in the Council is required to be an effective, participative leader of a team with responsibility for organisation and management of all aspects of a section or sections including the supervision of staff. The person selected will possess an in-depth knowledge of the functions, duties and responsibilities of the local authority. Knowledge of the strategic direction and initiatives of the Council will also be required.

The duties of the position shall be such as may be assigned to the Senior Staff Officer from time to time by the Chief Executive of Galway City Council, including such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any other Local Authority or Statutory Authority which has entered into agreement with Galway City Council and may include the following:
 

• Responsibility for the management and supervision of staff up to the position of Staff Officer or analogous grades and to ensure training and development of such staff;

• To plan, develop and prioritise work programmes for the section/department;
• Responsibility for the day to day operations of the section/department;
• To provide administrative support based on a thorough understanding of the overall workings and policy of a section;
• Supporting line manager to ensure the work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council’s corporate and operational plans, including planning and prioritising work and allocating resources;
• To motivate, empower and encourage staff to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS);
• To analyse and report on the workings of the section/department including recommendations to senior management regarding changes/improvements to procedures;
• To prepare budgets and ensure that work programmes are implemented within allocated budgets;
• To implement the systems necessary to support the department/section in the delivery of service;
• To establish and maintain effective working relationships with Public Representatives, external agencies etc. as appropriate to the activities of the section;
• To attend inter-departmental meetings on behalf of the section including attendance at council meetings.
• To contribute to the strategic and policy making decisions of Galway City Council;
• To comply with Health & Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work;
• To undertake any other duties and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

• Have a satisfactory understanding of the Council’s purpose and priorities and knowledge of public service organisation in Ireland;
• Demonstrate relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level;
• Be self motivated with ability to work on own initiative;
• Have a career record that demonstrates an ability to manage and supervise staff;
• Have strong interpersonal and communications skills and be capable of representing the Council in a professional and credible manner;
• Have an awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications  for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace;
• Understand the changing environment and be capable of implementing change in order to deliver quality services to citizens;
• Understand the representational role of the elected members and be capable of working closely with them to deliver quality services and implement policy decisions.