Opportunities in Administration

Tusla’s work in supporting vulnerable children and families in communities across Ireland has expanded in recent years, with the result that there are now a wide range of upcoming vacancies in Social Work, Social Care and Administration.

Whatever the role may be, though, each in its own way contributes to the vital work that the Agency does. That work offers challenges, but it also offers both training and promotional opportunities that enable you to grow in your role and your responsibilities.

One person who knows all too well about those opportunities is Lisa, who started as a clerical officer with Tusla Recruit in 2017. Things, though, have been moving pretty quickly career-wise ever since for the Meath woman.

Her route into Tusla came via an honours degree in Business and then working as a media analyst for a company in the private sector – a role from which she was made redundant.

“I guess I’ve been lucky. I took a temporary position as a clerical officer and did that for a couple of months. Because I was temporary, I was always worried I might be let go, so I was always eager to learn, and when the opportunity of becoming a permanent Clerical Officer position arose, I was delighted” she says.

“I didn’t know what to expect. I went from a small company to a large one. From the moment I came into Tusla it’s been great. The whole Tusla Recruit team are so helpful. Everyone is given equal opportunities to learn different things.

“I interviewed and panelled for a Grade V role and became a Team Leader in 2018 and recently came first on a panel for a Grade VII position,” Lisa adds.

Although she is not sure what her new role will entail, Lisa says that she already has sight of the duties that the new Grade VII position will require.

Not everyone will move at the same pace as Lisa, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for career advancement.

“There is always room for progression, if people want it,” says Lisa, who also appreciates the hybrid working that is available with the Agency.

“There is a good work-life balance within Tusla,” she says. “I go into the office three times per week, and the other two days from home. Having this flexibility is great for everyone, but for myself and my family, it has been life changing.”

Working for an Agency that allows career growth and provides flexible conditions seems like is a winning combination for Lisa, and one that benefits Tusla, too.

When you talk of good combinations, that of Tusla and Thomas look like a match made in heaven.

Thomas is Grade V Staff Officer in Alternative Care, working out of the old St Joseph’s Hospital in Limerick. Thomas came to Tusla having worked with the Cork Life Centre charity for 15 years.

“The charity provides an alternative centre for education for 55 young people who were in care, had substance issues or struggled with literacy – and we were there to support them in dong their Junior Cert or Leaving Cert, “ says Thomas, who has only been with Tusla for three months so far.

“In my previous role I was linking in with a lot of different areas that were supported by Tusla funding, such as TESS, CYPSC, Meitheal.

“Given my background I find it really interesting to see the other side of things. I was always chasing Tusla for money and now I can understand the tender process. I would have put in referrals in my old job, but now I can see how Tusla operates from within.”

Thomas says his previous role was in helping young people, and that in his new role he supports the social workers who help those young people. As a result, he feels he can better see where supports for young people might best be used.

Stepping from one organisation into another can be a difficult transition, but Thomas says that in his case it couldn’t have been managed better.

“I was hugely supported in the move. The person I was replacing was with me for a whole month. Every time I had a question, he was there. He’s moved on now, but I still talk to him two or three times a week.”

Thomas’s line manager has also proved to be a real asset.

“She is so helpful. She tells me how to do things, but she also tells me how not to do things, which is very important.”

He says that in terms of the job specification, the role is exactly what he expected it to be. The flexible working helps, in that he can hot-desk in Ennis (a five-minute commute for Thomas) when the weather is bad, or he can work in the main office, which is 40 minutes away.

“Things are a lot busier than I expected, but that’s because of the nature of the young people we support, where everything is urgent. I like to be busy, though, so that’s okay.”

Thomas says that there tends to be a misconception about the public service, that those working there won’t’ be so friendly, but that this isn’t the case.

“Any job can be stressful, but I’ve had a really positive experience here and that’s because the people around me have made it so. They’ve all been hugely supportive and helpful.”

With his experience in alternative care, Thomas is a great addition to Tusla and all those we try to support.

And speaking of good additions. Aoife is another person who has proved a real asset to the Agency. Aoife has been with Tusla for two-and-a-half years, initially working as a clerical officer Grade III with both International Social Services and Separated Children Seeking International Protection.

In February of this year, she transferred to Tusla Recruit, doing recruitment for all grades in the West of Ireland before subsequently moving to the South team recruiting to all roles in that area. Within seven months she had been promoted to Grade IV.

She is in the role just a few weeks, having previously worked in recruitment for the West of Ireland.

Aoife’s role means she’s involved in advertising campaigns, interviews, organising interview boards, and when successful onboarding candidates into the Agency.

“When you think of all the roles in Tusla… there are lots of opportunities – someone might have onboarded as a Grade IV and then a few months later they’re a Grade V.”

That’s not to say every appointment moves so rapidly, but it’s a clear sign that there are chances for progression in the Agency. Not only are there ways to advance, but there are also plenty of ways to learn, too.

“There are loads of opportunities to do training online and/or in-person interactive learning,” says Aoife, who has a degree in Sociology from Trinity College.

That support extends to her colleagues, too.

“Everyone helps each other, regardless of what grade they’re on. I got a huge amount of support from my West team when I left, and from my South team, when I joined it. People were willing to answer all my questions, and any local areas I worked with were very helpful,” she adds.

Prior to joining Tusla, Aoife was employed in the private sector, and the difference in terms of teamwork was markedly different to where she now works.

“In my previous role, the responsibility was more on the individual whereas in Tusla we’re one team. It benefits everyone to be supportive in Recruitment. If we help each other, it helps the candidates and that helps Tusla, too,” she adds.