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| How did you go about getting your current job? |
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I saw the advertisement for the Open Competition for Higher Executive Officer in the jobs pages of the Irish Times.
Candidates had to apply via the publicjobs.ie website. I did so, and duly sat the test. I was advised a number of weeks later that I had been successful and would be called to the next stage, that being a structured interview conducted by a panel.
I sat the interview and was advised by letter within two weeks that I had been successful and was being a offered a position.
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| Describe a typical day? |
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For a start I don't think there really is a typical day. Something can arise where everything that you were planning to do that day could be pushed to the side.
Generally however, I arrive into the office between 8.30 and 9, and check whatever emails may have come through since I left the office the previous evening. I then start the work of the day which can range from the reading and review of policy documents that come into us, to assistance in the preparation of legislation, to attendance at meetings, to the co-ordination and writing of speech and briefing material as required.
It can get pretty hectic when deadlines loom for the return of material, but it is enjoyable all the same! My day usually finishes between 5 and 5.30.
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| What are the main tasks and responsibilities? |
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The primary responsibility of the Higher Executive Officer is to manage the team that administers the day-to-day work of the Section.
In essence, this means ensuring that all tasks that are the responsibility of the Section are fulfilled to the highest standard within the allocated deadlines.
The second role of the Higher Executive Officer is to provide support and assistance to the Assistant Principal who works on the development and implementation of government policy.
All this leads to a varied and interesting position as I have both the possibility to work closely with a team, as well as the opportunity to work on, and have an input into the formulation of new policy.
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| What are the main challenges? |
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I would have to say that the main challenge from an initial perspective was becoming familiar with the diverse issues and topics that the Environment Policy Section looks after. I'm still learning! That makes it more interesting and challenging, however, and even better is the fact that the status of these topics constantly changes, so it keeps you on your toes, ensuring that you are always dealing with the most relevant information. Colleagues are however a great help in this, in the sense that at every turn, I have found the people I work with to be always approachable and most helpful when I require guidance or help.
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| What particular skills do you bring to your workplace? |
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Having worked for a number of years as a supervisor in international banking, it was certainly of benefit to have had previous experience of working closely with, and managing and leading people both on a team and individual basis.
Having previously worked in highly results-driven organisations, I had built up quite a strong focus on the organisation of work schedules both for myself and fellow team members.
This has helped me in this role, in the management of a diverse team and workload.
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| What's cool? |
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I think that I would have to say the element that I consider most 'cool' about the job is the high degree of variety involved. As previously mentioned, there is no such thing as a typical day, and the areas covered by the Section I work in, touch on, and feed into many elements of current environmental topics and concerns, thereby making the job always interesting, relevant and most certainly, a learning experience.
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| What's not so cool? |
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Overall, there are not really any aspects of the job that I can say I dislike. I enjoy the variety and the different areas of environmental policy that we cover.
Sometimes, it can get a bit hectic when a number of deadlines loom together, but that is all part of the challenge and the fun, and you certainly would not be bored!
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