Working in the Public Service

What are the main occupation types employed?

There are a great range of opportunities available to those seeking a career within the Civil and Public Service. Working in the Civil and Public Service will provide you with opportunities to work on initiatives that will help Ireland respond to the challenges of a changing world, whether that’s in the realm of justice, managing the economy, or digitalising public services. It may include working with the government to create and implement new policies, initiatives and services. This is an ideal career path for people strongly motivated to serve the people of Ireland.

One of the areas that sets the Civil and Public Service apart from other organisations is our international approach. The Government of Ireland has embassies and consulates throughout the world to represent Ireland's viewpoints abroad. Many Civil Servants have opportunities to travel to the EU and the UN to represent the Irish government on various subjects.

The Civil and Public Service is an extremely diverse and inclusive workforce, with ample opportunity for progression and upskilling. There are a variety of roles on offer for school leavers, Leaving Certificate holders, college graduates and professionals with different levels of experience and interests. These range from general grades such as Clerical Officer, Executive Officer and Administrative Officer to specialist roles such as Engineer, Economist and Policy Analyst to name just a few. In fact, no matter what your area of expertise, there is probably a Civil or Public Service job of interest to you.

Grade Structure

The entry level position in the Civil Service is usually at Clerical Officer, or at the junior management level of Executive Officer. Administrative Officer is the graduate entry role and Higher Executive Officer are middle management roles. Senior Management roles include Assistant Principal and Principal Officer, while Assistant Secretary and Secretary Generals are strategic leadership roles.

Clerical Officers (CO)

Clerical Officers work in all departments and agencies of the Government of Ireland, providing vital input to teams through a range of general office duties. Clerical Officers need a good general standard of education and a customer focused attitude. Promotional opportunities are available to all Clerical Officers when they are made permanent.

Executive Officer (EO)

A trainee management role, Executive Officers perform a first-level management role in all departments. This encompasses both project management, and after initial training, staff management. Executive Officers can apply for promotion after a specified period of time.

Administrative Officer (AO)

The Administrative Officer position is primarily aimed at university graduates. Administrative Officers play a crucial role in policy formulation, through critical analysis, research and policy drafting, for a wide range of governmental areas. Administrative Officers can also be involved in drafting briefing materials for Ministers. This role is an excellent opportunity for graduates to begin working in the Civil and Public Service.

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

The Higher Executive Officer is a mid-management role, with responsibility for managing a team. Higher Executive Officers report to an Assistant Principal and they assist them in managing projects, budgets and staff, as well as helping to develop government policy and initiatives.

Assistant Principal (AP)

Assistant Principals commonly head up a specific policy development, business planning, regulatory or service delivery unit within their Department. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

Participating in the development of national economic, social and business strategies and policies;
Advising top management on the practical implications of key business decisions and proposals;
Translating high-level decisions into practical programmes of action;
Providing appellate functions where members of the public can make appeals against administrative decisions, such as in the various Ombudsman offices;
Participating on national committees and representing the State on international organisations.

Principal Officer (PO)

Principal Officers are key participants in the top management process who generally have responsibility for managing a major policy development, business planning or service delivery unit within their Department. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

Formulating and developing policies, business plans and expenditure budgets;
Providing advice on emerging policy proposals to Assistant Secretaries, Secretaries General, Ministers and Government;
Preparing legislation and providing expert advice to Ministers and members of the Oireachtas;
Monitoring policy formulation, strategy, legislative and regulatory development of a range of state, semi-state, private sector and national organisations;
Representing the State on EU, Anglo-Irish and Cross-Border bodies;
Participating in meetings of international organisations where decisions reached may be of vital importance to Irish economic and social well-being.

Assistant Secretary

An Assistant Secretary is a member of the Management Advisory Committee of a Government Department. They are expected to contribute to the achievement of the Department's overall objectives. An Assistant Secretary is responsible for leading and directing strategic change within their area of responsibility, as well as providing effective leadership in promoting the Department's strategic objectives. They are also required to engender a positive working environment and represent the Department's interests in communicating and liaising with a range of government departments, state agencies and other stakeholders.

Secretary General

Secretary Generals are responsible for managing the Department, implementing government policies, delivering outputs as determined with the Minister, providing advice to the Minister and using resources appropriately and assigning specific functions, for which the Secretary General is responsible, to officers or grades of officers within the Department.

Third Secretary/Junior Diplomat

Third Secretary /Junior Diplomat in the Department of Foreign Affairs, is the recruitment grade for the Irish Diplomatic Service. Third Secretaries initially work in the Department of Foreign Affairs before travelling to an Irish embassy or consulate where they will work for a number of years. There are many different projects and areas of work within Foreign Affairs, from dealing with Irish tourists' issues abroad to acting as an Irish Representative in various formal functions. To apply for the Third Secretary position, you need a first or second class honours degree.

Professional and specialist roles exist within the Public Sector for both graduates and non-graduates.

These include:

Engineers
Statisticians
Planners
Architects
Economists
ICT Specialists
Accountants/Auditors
Policy Analysts
Medical Consultants
Communications Specialists
Psychologists
Nursing Staff
Legal Staff - Solicitors, Barristers, Law Clerks
Paramedical Staff – Dental Surgeons, Environmental Health Officers, Pharmacists, Community Welfare Officers.
Scientists

We also provide recruitment and consultancy services to Local Authorities, the Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána and the Prison Service and other public bodies during times of public service recruitment.

To find out more information relating to these positions log onto www.publicjobs.ie.

What types of work contract are offered?

A range of flexible working hours are available depending on the department in which you are working.

Probationary contracts: New employees will begin on a probation contract for one year before they become permanent (subject to satisfactory completion of the probationary contract);
Temporary contracts: Contracts for a duration agreed between the employing Department/Office and the employee. The duration will usually be advertised when the position(s) is advertised on www.publicjobs.ie.

What are the key attractions?

Discover the benefits of a Career in Civil and Public Service

Not only do we have exciting jobs on offer, there are also great benefits to working in the Civil and Public Service. Check out some of these benefits below:

Dynamic Work Environment: The Civil and Public Service is a dynamic work environment where you can engage in meaningful and interesting work right from the start. Not only that, you’ll get the chance to carry out work which makes a real difference to society.
Learning and Development: There are great opportunities for learning and developing within the Civil and Public Service. You can avail of a wide range of learning and development initiatives, which allow you to up skill and further develop your Civil Service career. You may also have the opportunity to study part-time and be refunded for all course fees that are relevant to your job. You would be granted study leave and you will be supported and encouraged along the way.
Diversity: The Civil and Public Service recognises and values the importance of attracting and welcoming a workforce that is responsive, accessible, resilient, and reﬂective of the communities it serves. The Civil and Public Service does not discriminate based on gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, disability, race, or membership of the Traveller Community.
Flexible Working Arrangements: Employees are offered great work life balance and can make use of flexi-time, which lets them start their day between 8am - 10am in the morning and finish between 4pm - 7pm. Staff may build up hours during a four week flexi period which can be taken as leave in the next flexi period.
Work Sharing: This scheme allows staff to opt for a part-time attendance pattern. More than one employee shares one role within an organisation, which is paid on a pro rata basis.
Shorter Working Year: This initiative allowsstaff to balance their working arrangements with outside commitments. The period of absence counts as unpaid special leave and employees are paid on a pro rata basis.
Career Break: Staff can avail ofa period of unpaid leave from work of between six months and five years. In the Civil Service, staff may take two career breaks during their career. A career break may be allowed for domestic reasons; including child care, education or travel abroad.

What locations do you operate from?

Civil Servants fill positions nationwide.

What are the current employment trends?

Please check out www.publicjobs.ie for our current vacancies. You may also register a profile on our site and set up job alerts on your profile to be notified of vacancies as they arise.