Promotion to Senior Technical Officer

Pre-Application

Prior to applying for promotion to Senior Technical Officer, candidates are advised to familiarise themselves with the Policy for Promotion to Senior Technical Officer and the assessment criteria which will form the basis of the application for promotion and particularly those set out in the Technical Staff Development Framework. Candidates should also discuss their intention to apply with their Head of School/Unit. If the outcome of the discussion is that the candidate is ready to apply for promotion, they should submit their application, by email, to (opens in a new window)Promotions@ucd.ie .

One potential outcome of the discussion is that the Head of School/Unit believes that the candidate  is not ready to apply for promotion. In this instance, the Head of School/Unit and candidate need to identify areas, together, for personal and professional development that will support later readiness for promotion, and put a development plan in place. A candidate may apply for promotion to Senior Technical Officer without agreement from their Head of School/Unit, however, the Head of School/Unit is still obliged to provide a commentary on the candidate’s application (see Section b of the application form).

Application Process

The application form requires candidates to self-assess their performance against the assessment criteria outlined in the Policy for Promotion to Senior Technical Officer. It is important that candidates include all relevant information on their application form as the Technical Staff Committee reviewing the applications will base their decision on the information provided. It is recommended that as part of the application process candidates review and discuss their self-evaluation with their Head of School/Unit to align on content.

Head of School/Unit Evaluation

The Policy for Promotion to Senior Technical Officer requires candidates to include a Head of School/Unit commentary as part of their application for promotion. The Head of School/Unit is required to comment on the candidate’s work and suitability/readiness in relation to the assessment criteria for promotion. In larger Schools, it is recognised that the Head of School/Unit may consult with the Head of Section most familiar with the work of the candidate. In such cases, following consultation, the Head of School/Unit will complete and sign off on the commentary.

During the Assessment Process

The Technical Staff Committee will review all applications on the information provided as outlined in the “Application Process”. An interview will not form part of the assessment process; however, Heads of School/Unit may be invited to the Technical Staff Committee meeting to answer questions that the Committee may have in relation to a particular application for promotion.

Accurate notes will be taken as part of the process that reflect the basis of the decision made, these notes will support the communication of the promotion decision and regardless of outcomes should be incorporated into the candidates ongoing development plan.

Post Application

Candidates will be provided with feedback on their application by the Technical Staff Committee. Candidates should work with their Head of School/Unit on a development plan that incorporates the feedback on areas where they require additional development and experience to be successful in future applications for promotion. A Development Framework for Technical Staff is available on the HR website to support this conversation.

Pre-Application

Prior to applying for promotion to Senior Technical Officer, candidates are advised to discuss their intention to apply with their Head of School/Unit.

If the outcome of the discussion is that the candidate should apply for promotion then they should email a completed application form to Promotions.

If the outcome of the discussion is that the Head of School/Unit believes that the candidate is not ready to apply for promotion then they need to identify areas, together, for personal and professional development and put a plan in place to facilitate future readiness for promotion. A candidate may apply for promotion to Senior Technical Officer without agreement from their Head of School/Unit, but the Head of School/Unit is still obliged to provide a commentary as part of the application form.

Head of School/Unit Commentary

The Policy for Promotion to Senior Technical Officer requires that the Head of School/Unit provides a commentary, as part of the candidate’s application, on the candidate’s work in relation to the assessment criteria for promotion. In larger Schools it is recognised that the Head of School/Unit may consult with the Head of Section most familiar with the work of the candidate prior to completing the commentary.

During the Assessment Process

Heads of School/Unit may be invited to the Technical Staff Committee meeting to answer questions that the Committee may have in relation to individual applications for promotion. If a Head of School/Unit is required to attend they will be invited by HR Promotions, Grading and Reward on behalf of the Technical Staff Committee.

Post Application

The candidate will be advised of the outcome of their application for promotion from Technical Officer to Senior Technical Officer by the Technical Staff Committee. All candidates will be given written feedback by the Technical Staff Committee and should work with their Head of School/Unit on a development plan that accounts for the feedback on areas where they require additional development and experience to be successful in future applications for promotion.

A Development Framework for Technical Staff is available to support this conversation on the HR website.

In the interests of transparency, best practice and staff development, all candidates will be given written feedback on their application by the Chairperson, or nominee, and one other member of the Technical Staff Committee.

This feedback will be made available after you have been formally advised of the outcome of your application for promotion. Accurate notes will be taken as part of the process that reflect the basis of the decision made, these notes will support the communication of the promotion decision.

The Technical Staff Committee normally meets three times a year to consider applications for promotion from the grade of Technical Officer to Senior Technical Officer. Please note the closing date for the submission of applications is normally four weeks in advance of each meeting.

Please see below the specific closing and meeting dates for the current year.

*Note: The meeting dates listed above are provisional and are subject to change.

Late applications are not accepted. Any applications received after a closing date are automatically included in the next Technical Staff Committee meeting available.