Civil Service Career Path
The Public Sector consists of the Civil Service and the Public Service. The role of the Civil Service is to support the government of the day to develop and implement its policies, both at home and abroad. There are a great range of opportunities available to those seeking a career within the Civil Service. Working in the Civil 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 innovating public services. This is an ideal career path for people strongly motivated to serve the people of Ireland.
The Civil Service is a diverse and inclusive workforce, with ample opportunity for progression and upskilling. We have a huge variety of roles to suit school leavers, college graduates and professionals of all levels of skills and experience. These range from general grades such as Clerical Officer, Executive Officer and Administrative Officer to specialist roles such as Engineer, Economist or Policy Analyst to name just a few. You can learn more about career paths in the Civil and Public Service below.
Discover the Benefits
Not only do we have exciting career opportunities on offer, there are also great benefits to working in the Civil Service too. Check out some of these benefits below:
Dynamic Work Environment: We offer a dynamic work environment where you can engage in meaningful and interesting work right from the start.
Learning and Development: You can avail of a wide range of learning and development initiatives, which allow you to upskill and further develop your Civil Service career.
Inclusive: We recognise and value the importance of attracting and welcoming a workforce that is responsive, accessible, resilient, and reflective of the communities it serves.
Flexible Working Arrangements: Depending on the nature of the work, some offices may offer Flexible Working Hours, Work Sharing, a Pro-rata Shorter Working Year or career breaks.
Making a Difference: Contribute to purposeful work that impacts directly on our society and citizens.
Civil Service Career Paths
Meet the people who work across the Irish Civil Service, providing important services to the people of Ireland both at home and abroad. Many start their careers in the Civil Service in entry level positions and progress to more senior roles.
Civil Service Grade Structure
Entry to the Civil Service depends on your level of education, skills and experience. The career ladder ranges from general admin roles such as temporary or permanent Clerical Officer, junior management opportunities such as Executive or Administrative Officer, all the way up to senior management and strategic leadership roles. The below infographic is an overview of the Civil Service Grade Structure and possible career paths. To find out about the competencies needed for some of the roles in the Civil Service, why not take a look at our Competency Model Framework.
Clerical Officer - General Admin
Clerical Officers work in all departments and agencies of the Government, providing vital input to teams through a range of general office duties. Clerical Officers can support teams working in business areas such as customer service, finance, HR, marketing, IT, recruitment, policy, communications, and administration, amongst many other areas.
Clerical Officers need a good general standard of education and a customer focused attitude. Promotional opportunities are available to Clerical Officers when they are made permanent after passing a probation period.
What is the role?
- General administrative and clerical work.
- Working as part of a team in delivering important public services.
- Working with the latest technology to record and advance services.
- Maintaining high quality records in a thorough and organised manner.
- Supporting line-managers and colleagues in projects and initiatives.
- Checking all work thoroughly to ensure it is completed to a high standard.
- Communicating and providing a quality public service to the public/customers.
What are the requirements?
The entry requirements for this grade would typically be a minimum of Leaving Certificate level, however you should always check the Competition Information Booklet for exact details on the particular skills and requirements for this role. You might also find it useful to look at the Clerical Officer Competency Model Framework for this level.
Salary:
Starting salary is €27,785.
Learning and Development:
The training and development opportunities you might experience in the Public Service depend on several things, including the specific role you have been offered, the Organisation/ Department you have been placed in, and the skills required to carry out your role. Depending on the role, as a Clerical Officer you could expect to advance your personal skills in a wide range of different ways, and you could have the opportunity to up-skill and develop yourself professionally through high-quality training programmes, mentoring and support systems, internal training initiatives, and many more – all in order to make sure you have the skills and knowledge required to succeed in a fast-paced and results-oriented role in the Civil and Public Service.
Executive Officer - Junior Management
The Executive Officer (EO) role is a first-level management role in all government departments and agencies. This role encompasses both project management and staff management across a wide range of business areas including customer service, finance, HR, marketing, IT, recruitment, policy, compliance, communications, and administration, amongst many other areas.
Executive Officers can apply for promotion after a specified period of time and successful completion of the probation period.
What is the role?
- Drafting proposals relating to policy issues and legislation.
- Managing teams and projects in government departments and agencies.
- Dealing directly with the public to deliver services and initiatives.
- Many other roles and activities to support the work of the organisation.
What are the requirements?
The entry requirements for this grade would typically be a minimum of Leaving Certificate level, however you should always check the Competition Information Booklet for exact details on the particular skills and requirements for this grade. You might also find it useful to look at the Executive Officer Competency Model Framework for this level.
Salary:
The starting salary is €34,562.
Learning and Development:
The training and development opportunities you might experience in the Civil and Public Service depend on several things, including the specific role you have been offered, the Organisation or Department you have been placed in, and the skills required to carry out your specific job.
Depending on the role, as an Executive Officer you could expect to advance your personal skills in a wide range of different ways, and you could have the opportunity to up-skill and develop yourself professionally through high-quality training programmes, mentoring and support systems, internal training initiatives, and many more – all in order to make sure you have the skills and knowledge required to succeed in a fast-paced and results-oriented role in the Civil and Public Service.
Administrative Officer - Graduate Entry
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 and senior civil servants. This role is an excellent opportunity for graduates to begin their career in the Civil and Public Service.
What is the role?
The Administrative Officer (AO) grade is an exciting and challenging role and the main graduate recruitment grade for the Civil Service.
The role could include tasks such as:
- Policy and strategy formulation across the spectrum of economic, financial, international, environmental and social issues.
- Researching and drafting proposals relating to policy issues and legislation.
- Acting as middle managers in Government Departments and Agencies.
- Project management and opportunities to progress to senior management.
What are the requirements?
The academic requirements for this grade would typically be minimum level 8 (first or second class primary honours degree) on the National Framework of Qualifications. The competencies required for this role include; communication and interpersonal skills, team-working abilities and strong leadership potential. You may find it useful to look at the Administrative Officer Competency Model Framework for this level.
Further details on the particular skills and requirements for this role can be found in the Competition Information Booklet for each campaign at this level.
Salary:
Starting salary is €36,864.
Learning and Development:
The training and development opportunities you might experience in the Civil and Public Service depend on several things, including the specific role you have been offered, the Organisation or Department you have been placed in, and the skills required to carry out your specific job.
Depending on the role, as an Administrative Officer you could expect to advance your personal skills in a wide range of different ways, and you could have the opportunity to up-skill and develop yourself professionally through high-quality training programmes, mentoring and support systems, internal training initiatives, and many more – all in order to make sure you have the skills and knowledge required to succeed in a fast-paced and results-oriented role in the Civil and Public Service.
There have been a number of excellent initiatives put in place recently to facilitate the development of graduate entrants, including: the Civil Service Graduate Development Programme, the Local Government Graduate Programme, as well as excellent CPD supports for graduates entering professional streams such as economists in the Irish Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) and Trainee Auditors.
Higher Executive Officer - Middle Management
The Higher Executive Officer is a middle management role, with responsibility for team management. The Higher Executive Officer grade reports to an Assistant Principal and provides support in managing large projects, budgets and developing government policy.
What is the role?
As a Higher Executive Officer, you will be a key member of the mid-management team and report to and support an Assistant Principal in pursuit of goals of the organisation. You will advise and interact with senior management in respect of their areas of responsibility and play a central role in driving organisational change. To be successful at this grade, you must have experience in managing and leading teams, coordinating projects, managing budgets and developing or implementing policy.
What are the requirements?
Details on the particular skills and requirements for this role can be found in the Competition Information Booklet for each campaign at this level. You will need to meet the competency skills deemed necessary to serve effectively in the Civil and Public Service. Examples of the competencies could include Problem Solving, Teamwork, Decision Making, and Team Leadership amongst others. You might also find it useful to look at the Higher Executive Officer Competency Model Framework.
Salary:
Starting salary is €54,764.
Learning and Development:
The training and development opportunities you might experience in the Civil and Public Service depend on several things, including the specific role you have been offered, the Organisation/ Department you have been placed in, and the skills required to carry out your job in the role.
Depending on the role, as a Higher Executive Officer you could expect to advance your personal skills in a wide range of different ways, and you could have the opportunity to up-skill and develop yourself professionally through high-quality training programmes, mentoring and support systems, internal training initiatives, and many more – all in order to make sure you have the skills and knowledge required to succeed in a fast-paced and results-oriented role in the Public Service.
Assistant Principal - Senior Management
Assistant Principals commonly lead a specific policy development, business planning, regulatory or service delivery unit within their Department.
What is the role?
The Assistant Principal is a senior managerial grade in the Civil Service. The role is extremely diverse, citizen driven and very rewarding. The exact nature of the role varies depending on the sector and Department/Office in which the vacancy arises.
Assistant Principals are key participants in the senior management process of Departments/Offices with a critical management role in implementing government policy in the economic, financial, international, environmental and/or social arenas.
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.
What are the requirements?
Details on the particular skills and requirements for this role can be found in the Competition Information Booklet for each campaign at this level. You might also find it useful to look at the Assistant Principal Competency Model Framework for this level.
Salary:
Starting salary is €75,822.
Learning & Development:
The training and development opportunities you might experience in the Civil and Public Service depend on several things, including the specific role you have been offered, the Organisation/ Department you have been placed in, and the skills required to carry out your role.
Depending on the role, as an Assistant Principal Officer you could expect to advance your personal skills in a wide range of different ways, and you could have the opportunity to up-skill and develop yourself professionally through high-quality training programmes, mentoring and support systems, internal training initiatives, and many more – all in order to make sure you have the skills and knowledge required to succeed in a fast-paced and results-oriented role in the Civil and Public Service.
Principal Officer - Leadership
Principal Officers are key participants in the top management of Government Departments and Agencies. Principle Officers generally have responsibility for managing a major policy development, business planning or service delivery unit within their Department.
What is the role?
As senior managers in the Civil Service, Principal Officers have a key role in advising on government policy and subsequent responsibility for its implementation. Typically, a Principal Officer will lead a unit or division, overseeing the implementation of the Department’s objectives and take responsibility for providing the leadership required to deliver a responsive and inclusive service.
It is a diverse role which can vary from Department to Department and from post to post. This role involves acting as a key participant in the senior management process of Departments/Offices with a critical influencing role in implementing or advising on government policy in the economic, financial, international, environmental and/or social arenas.
You may have responsibility in areas such as:
- 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, the 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.
Furthermore, as a Principal Officer you may be required to act as a representative for your Departments/Offices in the media, at Oireachtas Committees, and may also represent the country at a European and international level.
What are the requirements?
You might also find it useful to look at the Principal Officer Competency Model Framework for this level. Further details on the particular skills and requirements for this role can be found in the Competition Information Booklet for each campaign at this level.
Salary:
Starting salary is €98,665.
Learning & Development:
The training and development opportunities you might experience in the Civil and Public Service depend on several things, including the specific role you have been offered, the Organisation/ Department you have been placed in, and the skills required to carry out your job in the role.
Depending on the role, as an Principal Officer you could expect to advance your personal skills in a wide range of different ways, and you could have the opportunity to up-skill and develop yourself professionally through high-quality training programmes, mentoring and support systems, internal training initiatives, and many more – all in order to make sure you have the skills and knowledge required to succeed in a fast-paced and results-oriented role in the Civil and Public Service.
Assistant Secretary - Senior Leadership
An Assistant Secretary is responsible for leading and directing strategic change as a member of the Management Advisory Committee of a Government Department. Assistant Secretaries provide effective leadership in promoting the Department's strategic objectives and engendering a positive working environment. An Assistant Secretary is a member of the Management Advisory Committee of a Government Department and represents the Department's interests in communicating and liaising with a range of government departments, state agencies and other stakeholders.
What is the role?
Assistant Secretary is the title typically given to the Head of a Division(s) in a Civil Service Department who will also sit on the management board for that department. The Assistant Secretary competency model reflects what is needed to operate effectively in the environment in which public servants and Assistant Secretaries find themselves, in a period of high demand for increased pace of decision making and delivery, increased complexity and volume of demand, fewer resources, increased media and public scrutiny and an ambitious and progressive public service reform programme.
What are the requirements?
The specific requirements will vary from post-to-post but typically the person appointed will have:
- A proven track record of significant achievement as a leader and senior manager in a large, complex service delivery organisation.
- Experience of developing key strategies and policies and implementing a vision across a large and disparate organisations.
- A track record in change management in a large operational environment and ensuring flexibility in response to emerging social needs.
- Sound judgement and a capacity to deal effectively with complex interrelated issues across diverse public policy areas and on the implications of different approaches.
- Excellent communication skills and a track record in managing relationships, providing clarity, developmental leadership and delivering results.
- Strong experience in project management and financial management.
- Balancing strategic focus over the longer term and delivering results at pace.
Further details on the particular skills and requirements for this role can be found in the Competition Information Booklet for each campaign at this level.
Salary:
Starting salary is €156,472.
Learning and Development:
The Senior Public Service (SPS) was established with the aim of strengthening senior management and leadership across the Civil and Public Service. Membership is currently comprised of all serving and newly appointed civil servants at Secretary General, Deputy and Assistant Secretary and Director levels and related departmental and professional grades.
The SPS Leadership Development Strategy, approved by Government, sets out the initiatives to be implemented for the SPS in the period 2017-2020, including executive coaching, development programmes, mobility opportunities and networking events. The goal is to equip the SPS with the skills and supports necessary in meeting the key business and leadership challenges facing a modern Civil Service and to support lasting change at an individual, organisational and Civil Service level.
Secretary General - Senior Leadership
Secretary Generals are responsible for managing a Government Department. They are responsible for implementing government policies, delivering outputs as determined with the Minister, providing advice to the Minister and using resources appropriately and assigning specific functions to officers within the Department.
What is the role?
The Secretary General is the title typically given to the Head of a Civil Service Department. The Secretary General is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the Department, including particular financial responsibilities as Accounting Officer, providing advice to Ministers, delivering outputs and outcomes, addressing cross-cutting matters and being accountable before Oireachtas Committees as required.
As the head of an organisation, the Secretary General is assisted by a senior management team typically known as a Management Board, which acts as a team and a unifying force, providing leadership and direction for the organisation.
What are the requirements?
The specific requirements will vary from post-to-post but typically the person appointed will have:
- A proven track record of significant achievement as a leader and senior manager in a large, complex service delivery organisation.
- Experience of developing key strategies and policies and implementing a vision across a large and disparate organisations.
- A track record in change management in a large operational environment and ensuring flexibility in response to emerging social needs.
- Sound judgement and a capacity to deal effectively with complex interrelated issues across diverse public policy areas and on the implications of different approaches.
- Excellent communication skills and a track record in managing relationships, providing clarity, developmental leadership and delivering results.
Further details on the particular skills and requirements for this role can be found in the Competition Information Booklet for each campaign at this level.
Salary:
Starting salary is €230,780.
Learning and Development:
The Senior Public Service (SPS) was established with the aim of strengthening senior management and leadership across the Civil and Public Service. Membership is currently comprised of all serving and newly appointed civil servants at Secretary General, Deputy and Assistant Secretary, and Director levels and related Departmental and professional grades.
The SPS Leadership Development Strategy, approved by Government, sets out the initiatives to be implemented for the SPS in the period 2017-2020, including executive coaching, development programmes, mobility opportunities and networking events. The goal is to equip the SPS with the skills and supports necessary in meeting the key business and leadership challenges facing a modern civil service and to support lasting change at an individual, organisational and Civil Service level.