Human Resources

Career Structures for Administrative Grades

The university encourages the career advancement and development of all staff in DCU.
Training and development can play an important and significant role in facilitating career
advancement and development. The following web page has been developed to illustrate
the career structures for Administrative grades, the eligibility requirements for each of the
grades and to highlight the support provided by the Training & Development section of
Human Resources. The information on these pages include:

the seven administrative grades.
the minimum requirements for entry to these grades.
an explanation as to which grades are confined to internal applicants in the first instance.
career development programmes provided by Training & Development

The following document outlines the various Job Titles that are associated with Grades 1 to 6.

Click on the arrows below for a summary of the eligibility requirements for the grades.

Eligibility Requirements for Secretary Grade 1

These posts are advertised both
externally and internally.

External applicants

Leaving Certificate plus a
recognised secretarial qualification
(NFQ Level 5) or
if the applicant does not hold a
Leaving Certificate, two years relevant experience and a recognised secretarial qualification (NFQ Level 5) will be required.

Eligibility Requirements for Secretary Grade 2

These posts are advertised both externally and internally.

External applicants

Leaving Certificate, recognised secretarial qualification (NFQ Level 5) with 3 years relevant experience or
if the applicant does not hold a Leaving Certificate, 5 years relevant experience and a recognised secretarial qualification (NFQ Level 5) will be required.

Internal applicants

Leaving Cert plus recognised secretarial qualification (NFQ Level 5) with 3 years relevant experience or
if the applicant does not hold a Leaving Certificate, 5 years relevant experience and a recognised secretarial qualification (NFQ Level 5) will be required.

Sample Job description of Grade II

Eligibility Requirements for Secretary Grade 3

Advertised internally in the first instance.
If no suitable applicant is identified the
post will be advertised externally.

External applicants

Leaving Cert, recognised
secretarial qualification (NFQ Level 5)
plus 5 years relevant experience.

Internal applicants

Serving Secretary Grade 2 with a total
of 5 years relevant experience or
if the applicant does not hold a
Leaving Certificate, 7 years
experience and a recognised
secretarial qualification (NFQ Level 5) will be required.

Sample Job description of Grade III

Eligibility Requirements for Admin Assistant Grade 4

These posts are advertised both externally and internally.

External applicants

External applicants must hold a Primary Degree or equivalent (NFQ Level 7).

Internal applicants

Serving Secretary Grade 3 staff, without a Primary Degree or equivalent, who have at least 2 years' experience at Grade 3 level in DCU
Alternatively, DCU staff with a Primary Degree or equivalent (NFQ Level 7).

Sample Job description of Grade IV

Eligibility Requirements for Snr. Admin Assistant Grade 5

This grade will be advertised internally
in the first instance. If no suitable applicant is identified then the post will be advertised externally.

External applicants

External applicants must hold a
Primary Degree or equivalent (NFQ Level 7) in an appropriate area plus 3 years relevant experience.

Internal applicants

Serving Admin Assistant Grade 4 staff, without a Primary Degree or equivalent,
w ho have 3 years' experience at Grade 4
level in DCU or
Alternatively, DCU Staff with a Primary Degree or equivalent (NFQ Level 7) in an appropriate area and 3 years relevant experience.

Sample Job description of Grade V

Eligibility Requirements for Snr. Admin Assistant II Grade 5.2

These posts are advertised both
externally and internally.

External applicants

External applicants must hold a
Primary Degree or equivalent
(NFQ Level 7) plus 3 years relevant experience.

Internal applicants

Serving Admin Assistant Grade 4 staff, without a Primary Degree or equivalent, who have 4 years' experience at Grade 4 level in DCU or
Serving Senior Admin Assistant (G5), without a Primary Degree or equivalent, with 3 years relevant experience at Grade 5 level in DCU
Alternatively, DCU Staff with a Primary Degree or equivalent (NFQ Level 7) in an appropriate area and 3 years relevant experience.

Sample Job description of Grade V.2

Eligibility Requirements for Administrator 1 Grade 6

These posts are advertised both externally and Internally.

External applicants

External applicants must hold a Primary Degree or equivalent (NFQ Level 7) in an appropriate area plus previous experience at a length and level required for equivalent academic level posts (i.e. 3 years experience).

Internal applicants

Serving Senior Admin Assistant (G5) without a Primary Degree or equivalent, with 5 years relevant experience at a Grade 5 in DCU or
Serving Senior Admin Assistant II (G5.2) without a Primary Degree or equivalent, with 2 years relevant experience at a Grade 5.2 in DCU
Alternatively DCU Staff with a Primary Degree or equivalent (NFQ Level 7) in an appropriate area and at least 3 years relevant experience may apply.

Sample Job description of Grade VI

Notes:

Applicants who fulfil the minimum requirements outlined above together with any other additional requirement as specified in the advertisement may be considered eligible for appointment to the appropriate grades at the minimum point of scale.
All internal applicants must have completed their probationary period.
Leaving Certificate requirements means that the applicant must have a Grade D in at least 5 subjects or equivalent.
For the purposes of classifying qualifications the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is used.