Open Competition for Appointment to Temporary Librarian

Competition Circular 2/2016 Temporary Librarian

Open competition for appointment to Temporary Librarian

Competition Circular for Candidates

Title of Position:Temporary Librarian

Employer:Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Section:Corporate Affairs

Location: The post will be located in Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) seeks to employ a temporary Librarian on a six month fixed-term contract. The Department’s library is situated in Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. In the context of the significant technological advances that have been applied to the management of libraries and the range of services they provide, the Department has identified the need both to downsize the on-site library collection and to establish a new Library Management System. A review of all other library systems, procedures and services is also required.

1. Job Description

In the context of the structural changes to the Department’s library envisaged above, the duties of the librarian would include, but not be restrictedto;

• Develop a new online library portal with support from IMT Division. There is an urgent need for a new Library Management System, as the Cardbox library software package has been decommissioned. The librarian, in conjunction with IMT staff will need to identify a suitable system, implement the changeover of the Library catalogue to this new LMS and develop a new library on-line interface which can be easily updated and maintained by administrative staff.

• Categorise and classify the outstanding material in the current library collection.

• Review the full library catalogue to determine which items no longer need to be retained in a physical library in Agriculture House. Divide the library holdings into material that needs to be retained, archived, donated to other appropriate reference libraries or destroyed in line with provisions under the National Archives Act 1986. Implement the changes and update the catalogue accordingly.

• Assess the various options available to meet the Department’s requirements for access to on-line scientific journals and databases. Explore more cost effective alternatives to direct subscription, including access to journals through another reference library or through shared services with an alternative library.

• Engage with another library with a view to outsourcing the classification of future new material in the library.

• Liaise with other reference libraries, and Research Division, with a view to creating an open access repository for published research articles. A shared resource and/or the sharing of support for maintenance of the repository should be examined.

• Undertake all other duties and responsibilities required for the provision of an efficient and effective library service to the Department as directed by management from time to time.

1. Candidate Profile

Essential Requirements:

Candidates must have:

(i)A professional library qualification

and

(ii)Three years experience, preferably either within a similar government or “special” library setting, or in the Science/Agriculture/Food/Government/Legal areas within a larger academic library.

and

(iii)Familiarity with current Information Technology systems as applied to the management of libraries and to the delivery of effective library services.

Desirable:

(i)Project management experience evidenced by an ability to manage own work and to deliver projects within specified timescales

(ii)Excellent interpersonal and communications skills

(iii)Willingness to work as part of a team

(iv)An ability to work on one’s own initiative

1. Selection Process

It should be noted that the selection process may include some, or all, of the following:

• Shortlisting of candidates based on information contained in their application form;
• Supplementary selection tools, e.g. preliminary interview or pre-testing;
• An interview based on the competencies and experience identified as required for the post

NOTE: Candidates should note that during any shortlisting exercise that may be employed, a board will examine the application forms and assess them against pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position as outlined in this circular. Therefore, it is in candidates’ interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of their experiences relevant to this post in the application form.

Candidates must produce satisfactory documentary evidence of all relevant qualifications and experience claimed by them, if required.

1. Salary

The post will be remunerated at the level of Higher Executive Officer (standard scale) – PPC.

The rate of pay offered will be €46,081.00 which is the first point of the above salary scale and will be payable fortnightly in arrears by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) into a bank account of choice.

Pay may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Government pay policy.

Important Note: Different pay and conditions may apply if immediately prior to appointment the appointee is already a serving Civil or Public Servant.

Statutory deductions from salary will be made as appropriate by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

1. Tenure

5.1 The appointment is to a temporary, un-established position in the Civil Service and will be for a period of six months, with the possibility of two further extensions of three months each. The full term of the contract will not exceed twelve months in total.

5.2 The terms of the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act 2003 will apply, as appropriate, to this appointment.

5.3 The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine reserves the right to terminate employment prior to the date of cessation on giving of the appropriate notice set down in the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973 to 2005. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine also reserves the right to terminate the appointee’s employment for stated reasons. In the event that the appointed person wishes to terminate his/her employment prior to expiry of the contract he/she is required to provide 4 weeks notice to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

5.4 In the event of serious misconduct the appointment may be terminated without notice.

5.5 In the event of the appointment being terminated under the terms of paragraph 5.4 above no remuneration or compensation will be payable other than that applicable to work carried out.

1. Probation

The appointee must serve a probationary period, which normally will last for 2 months.

Should the appointee’s services be satisfactory as regards health, conduct, efficiency and performance generally during the probationary period, he/she will then, on completion of the period, be appointed for the period of tenure set out above.

1. Unfair Dismissals Act 1977-2007

The Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977-2007 will not apply to the termination of your employment by reason only of the expiry of this fixed term contract without it being renewed or the cessation of the purpose of the contract.

1. Leave

8.1 Annual leave

The annual leave allowance will be25 working days per annum. This allowance which is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave is on the basis of a five-day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

8.2 Special leave

Special leave, either paid or unpaid, is available in certain circumstances. Details are set out in the relevant circulars contained in the Personnel Code.

8.3 Sick leave

Pay during properly-certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent incapacity for service, may be allowed on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the appropriate sick leave regulations and circular. Initially, as with full-time staff, fixed-term employees on probation will have access to sick leave on a pro-rata basis based on their probationary period.

The appointee will be required to sign a mandate authorising the Department of Social Protection to pay any benefits due under the Social Welfare Acts direct to the employing Department and payment during illness will be subject to the appointee making the necessary claims for social insurance benefit to the Department of Social Protection within the required time limits.

1. Duties

The appointee will be required to perform any duties which may be assigned to him/her from time to time. The appointee may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

1. Headquarters

Headquarters will be such as may be designated from time to time by the Head of Department, but will be in Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2on the commencement of this contract.

1. Hours of attendance

Hours of attendance will be as fixed from time to time but will amount to on average not less than 43 hours and 15 minutes gross or 37 hours net per week.

Where extra attendance is necessary, overtime payments, or time off in lieu, will be allowed in accordance with the Civil Service overtime regulations.

1. The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997

The terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act will apply, as appropriate, to this appointment.

1. Superannuation and retirement

Successful candidates will be offered the appropriate superannuation terms and conditions as prevailing in the Civil Service at the time of being offered an appointment. In general, and except for candidates who have worked in a pensionable (non-single scheme terms) public service job in the 26 weeks prior to appointment (see section titled “Prior Public Servants” below), this means being offered appointment based on membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (“Single Scheme”). Key provisions attaching to membership of the Single Scheme are as follows:

13.1 Pensionable Age

The scheme’s minimum pension age will be linked to the State Pension age (66 years initially, rising to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028).

13.2 Retirement Age

Single Public Service Pension Scheme members must retire at the age of 70.

13.3 Pension Abatement

If the appointee was previously employed in the Civil Service or in the Public Service please note that the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 includes a provision which extends abatement of pension for all Civil and Public Servants who are re-employed where a Public Service pension is in payment. This provision to apply abatement across the wider public service came into effect on 1 November 2012. This may have pension implications for any person appointed to this position who is currently in receipt of a Civil or Public Service pension or has a preserved Civil or Public Service pension which will come into payment during his/her employment in this position.

If the appointee was previously employed in the Civil Service and awarded a pension under voluntary early retirement arrangements (other than the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER) , the Department of Health Circular 7/2010 VER/VRS or the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (Circular letter LG(P) 06/2013) which, as indicated above, renders a person ineligible for the competition) the entitlement to that pension will cease with effect from the date of reappointment. Special arrangements will, however be made for the reckoning of previous service given by the appointee for the purpose of any future superannuation award for which the appointee may be eligible.

13.4 Ill-Health Retirement

For an individual who has retired from a Civil/Public Service body on the grounds of ill-health his/her pension from that employment may be subject to review in accordance with the rules of ill-health retirement within the pension scheme of that employment.

13.5 Prior Public Servants

While the default pension terms, as set out in the preceding paragraphs, consist of Single Scheme membership, this may not apply to certain appointees. Full details of the conditions governing whether or not a public servant is a Single Scheme member are given in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012. However the key exception case (in the context of this competition and generally) is that a successful candidate who has worked in a pensionable (non-single scheme terms) capacity in the public service within 26 weeks of taking up appointment, would in general not become a member of the Single Scheme. In this case such a candidate would instead be offered membership of the superannuation scheme for established civil servants. In this event the “New Entrant” status under the 2004 Superannuation Act must be defined. The abatement as detailed in section titled “Pension Abatement” above would apply, and in addition there are implications in respect of pension accrual as outlined below.

13.6 Pension-Accrual

Appointees who were previously employed in the Civil Service or in the Public Service should note that the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 became law on 28 July 2012. Since that date the Act imposes a 40-year limit on the total service which can be counted towards pension where a person has been a member of more than one existing public service pension scheme. This may have implications for any appointee who has acquired pension rights in a previous Public Service employment.

13.7 Pension-related Deduction

This appointment is subject to the pension-related deduction in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009.

1. Secrecy, confidentiality and standards of Behaviour

14.1 Official secrecy and integrity

The appointee will, during the term of his/her appointment, be subject to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act 1963 as amended by the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003. The appointee will agree not to disclose to third parties any confidential information especially that with commercial potential either during or subsequent to the period of employment.

14.2 Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour

The appointee will be subject to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.

14.3Ethics in Public Office Act 1995

The Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 will apply, where appropriate, to the appointee’s employment.

14.4Prior approval of publications

The appointee will agree not to publish material related to his/her official duties without prior approval by the Minister.

14.5 Political activity

During the term of employment the appointee will be subject to the rules governing civil servants and politics.

1. Changes to terms of Employment

The Minister for Agriculture reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the appointee’s employment as s/he sees fit and in accordance with Government pay and employment policy generally as it affects the civil service. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will give the appointee as much notice as is feasible of such changes.

1. Personnel Code

All circulars are available on the website or from the Personnel Section.

1. Contact Name and Closing Date

Persons who wish to apply for the post should complete the attached application form.

One original and fourhard copies of the application form along with relevant educational qualification documentation must be returned to:

Mr Damien Wyse

Competitions Section

Personnel Division

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Knockmay Road

Portlaoise

Co Laois

by4pm on 8thApril 2016.

Any queries relating to this competition should be directed to:

Competitions Section

Tel. no:0761 064453

Email:

In order to process this competition efficiently, this closing date will be strictly observed.

Sharon Murphy

Personnel Officer

14thMarch 2016

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