Opportunity starts here

Come to SDCC to do your greatest work. We’re forward-thinking and focused on diversity, inclusion and community. As an equal opportunities employer, we’re opening the doors to new careers, creating flexible ways of working and putting people at the heart of everything we do. 

We’re the people responsible for local government in South Dublin County. Aside from the exciting range of opportunities to make a real difference in your community, SDCC is a great place to work. Working with us will give you the opportunity to gain experience at the heart of local government and to develop your career in a diverse work environment.  
At SDCC we provide plenty of opportunity for career progression with structured training, personal development, coaching and mentoring. We offer flexible working including blended working arrangements and a positive work environment. Read our Employee Value Proposition to find out more. 

Welcome to a team that’s making a difference – powered by people like you.  

Applications 

Applications will only be accepted through SDCC’s e-Recruitment system. 

South Dublin County Council is utilising Rolling Recruitment to fill this critical post.

The nature of Rolling Recruitment is that there is no closing date.

This allows us to capture as many applicants as possible to fill these posts on an on-going basis.   

Competitions which are subject to rolling recruitment will close temporarily at short notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received. Shortlisted applicants will be brought forward for interview to fill existing vacancies, and the competition will be re-opened to new applications.  
It is in your best interest, therefore, to submit your application as soon as possible.

 
The Role

The role of Chief Clerk in the Legal Services Department is to oversee the day-to-day management of the department in conjunction with the Law Agent and Senior Solicitor, supervising, assisting and advising the Administrative staff and Technical staff in their work together with undertaking a Conveyancing / Litigation workload as delegated. The office is wholetime, permanent and pensionable. A panel will be formed to fill permanent and temporary vacancies. Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the South Dublin administrative area. 

Salary / Wages 

€61,217 - €62,716 - €64,464 - €66,219 - €67,973 - €69,541 - €71,146 - €72,702 - €74,253 - €76,910 (LSI1) - €79,583 (LSI2)

Hours of Work 

The successful candidates’ normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. SDCC reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time.

Annual Leave  

Annual leave entitlement for this position is 30 days.

Qualifications 

Character 

Candidates will be of good character. 

 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.

Essential Education, Training and Experience 

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed 
application forms:  

1. Have engaged in courses of legal education suitable to the position of legal executive and / or law clerk. 
2. Have at least seven years satisfactory relevant experience as a law clerk / legal executive in a solicitor’s office or in a law department at legal assistant/senior legal assistant or equivalent. 
3. Have the requisite knowledge, skills and competencies to carry out the role. 
4. Have satisfactory administrative and management experience; and 
5. Have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisations. 

Desirable Education, Training and Experience 

1. Have strong administrative experience and be a good communicator with customer led focus. 
2. Be capable of managing, supervising and delegating work to technical and administrative staff. 
3. Have a knowledge of conveyancing and litigation processes and procedures. 
4. Understand Data Protection, Freedom of Information and Procurement processes. 
5. Can manage and oversee the budget, IT and audit requirements of the legal services department. 
6. Have a good understanding of local authorities and how they operate. 
7. Have knowledge and experience of systems designed to increase efficiencies and ensure compliance with corporate policy. 
8. Have knowledge and experience of legal case management systems and using such systems for management purposes.

Key Competencies / Skills 

• Strategic Management and change 
• Delivering results 
• Performance through People 
• Personal effectiveness 
• Local government knowledge and understanding 

Candidates are requested to give an example of a situation which highlights the behaviour, skills and attitude that underpin effective performance in some of these areas and which demonstrates their suitability to meet the challenges of this role. Candidates should ensure the example used clearly demonstrates their ability in this area and that 
the scale and scope of the example given is appropriate to the post and level of the post. Please note that all competencies will also be assessed during the interview process.

Duties 

Applicants must have a good standard of written and spoken English to effectively carry out the duties of the role.  
Duties will include but are not limited to:

Under the direction and supervision of the Law Agent to be responsible 
for: 

1. Management of the day to day running of the office as a member of the Department’s Senior Team.
2. Ensuring appropriate induction training is in place for new members of staff.
3. The supervision of Senior Legal Assistants, Legal Assistants and Administration staff.
4. Co-ordination and delegation of the workloads, training and leave of Senior Legal Assistants, Legal Assistants and Administration staff. 
5. Can manage and oversee the budget, IT and audit requirements of the legal services department. 
6. Dealing with all customer care queries, Freedom of Information and Data Protection questions received by the law department.
7. Management and introduce of new systems and procedures to improve the functionality of the law department to meet the 
   organisation’s needs.
8. Such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Law Agent. 

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