THE ROLE

The Staff Officer is a supervisory/management position within the Council and is assigned responsibility for administration and managing the performance of a section/department/team. The administrative structure ranges from the entry grade of Clerical Officer, through to Assistant Staff Officer, Staff Officer, Senior Staff Officer and Administrative Officer. 
A Staff Officer will generally work under the direction and management of a Senior Staff Officer/Administrative Officer or analogous grade.
The Staff Officer has a supervisory role in the day-to-day operations of a work area or as a team leader. The Staff Officer works as part of a team and operational duties may include the day to day running of a section and the supervision and management of staff within the section. This will include assisting with the implementation of work programmes to achieve goals and standards set out in Departmental and Team Plans, Corporate Plan and Annual Service Delivery Plan. This will require the ability to plan, allocate and prioritise work and monitor and report on progress. Other duties may include representing the Department or the Council on various committees and the successful candidate must be capable of representing the Council in a professional and credible manner with all internal and external stakeholders.
The Staff Officer role requires excellent administrative, employee management, interpersonal, communication and other particular skills and expertise depending on assignment. The ideal candidate will therefore be a highly motivated person, with a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services and be willing to take on a challenge. The Staff Officer is expected to carry out their duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence.

DUTIES

The post holder will work under the direction and control of the Senior Executive Officer or analogous grade or other officer designated by the Chief Executive or Director of Services as appropriate. The duties may include but are not limited to the following and the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.
1. To be responsible for the supervision of a work area or section within the Council, including supervision of a team.
2. To support the line manager to ensure section or department work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council’s operational plan, including supervising the work of the team.
3. To develop and maintain productive working relationships.
4. To provide information and assistance relating to their area of work as required.
5. To compile, prepare and present reports, presentations and correspondence as necessary.
6. To represent their section or department on committees or at meetings and give progress reports as required.
7. To provide support and assistance in the delivery of projects as required.
8. To be involved in the day to day management of resources within their section or team.
9. To identify opportunities for improvements in service delivery within their section or team.
10.To support and implement change management initiatives within their section or team.
11.To supervise employees in supporting roles, including assigning tasks and duties, scheduling and prioritising work and monitoring and reporting on progress.
12.To provide support to team members and employees, handling day to day issues, ensuring compliance with all council policies and procedures.
13.To participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade.
14.To ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures, legislation, standards, codes of conduct and general principles of good governance, including grievance and disciplinary, performance management and attendance management, at all times.
15.To be in compliance with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work
16.To deputise for the line manager or equivalent as required.
17.To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required, or assigned, from time to time

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA / QUALIFICATIONS

Cork County Council may, following the interview process, form three panels for the post of Staff Officer from which future vacancies may be filled. 20% will be confined to the recruiting Local Authority, 50% will be confined to the Local Authority Sector, 30% will be filled by Open Competition.
Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for the following panel(s):
• Panel A Confined to Local Authority Sector/Regional Assemblies (Be a serving member of the Local Authority Sector/Regional Assemblies)
• Panel B Open Competition (Open to internal and external applicants)
• Panel C Confined to the recruiting Local Authority or Applicable Regional Assembly (Be a serving member of the recruiting Local Authority/Regional Assembly)

1. Character Each candidate must be of good character.

2. Health Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. 

3. Education, Training, Experience etc. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
(1) (a) Have at least obtained Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level in 5 subjects (or 4 subjects if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics, AND
(b) Have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in higher level (or Honours) papers in 3 subjects in that examination (2 subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics) OR
(2) Have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination, OR
(3) Hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard.
Confined competition
(4) Be a serving employee of a Local Authority/Regional Assembly and have at least two years satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or in an analogous post

Further Information and Role Specification are available on Cork County Council's Website