Team Leader for Post-Primary Literacy, L 1 English Senior Cycle, Modern
Languages, Home Economics, Junior Certificate Schools (JCSP) and Leaving
Certificate Applied (LCA) Programmes and Cultural and Environmental
Subjects
Job Description and General Notes
1. Overview
The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) is a cross-sectoral support
service under the remit of the Teacher Education Section (TES) of the Department of
Education and Skills (DES) which offers professional development support to primary and
post-primary teachers and school leaders. The work of the PDST contributes to school
improvement by providing high quality Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on
curricular and educational issues, fostering reflective practice and ongoing development
among teachers and school leaders.
Amongst the priorities for the Department of Education and Skills for the coming years is
the implementation of proposals to improve Literacy and Numeracy in both primary and
post-primary schools. Other key priorities include supporting school leadership, school selfevaluation, health and wellbeing and post primary subjects and programmes. The PDST
currently has a full-time secondment opportunity for the position of Team Leader for PostPrimary Literacy, L 1 English Senior Cycle, Junior Certificate Schools (JCSP) and Leaving
Certificate Applied (LCA) Programmes and Cultural and Environmental Subjects.
Team Leader for Post-Primary Literacy, L 1 English Senior Cycle, Modern Languages, Home
Economics, Junior Certificate Schools (JCSP) and Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA)
Programmes and Cultural and Environmental Subjects will be responsible for the leading,
planning, development and delivery of continuing professional development (CPD) and
support for the following post-primary subjects : Literacy, Senior Cycle L1 English, Modern
Languages, Home Economics, Cultural and Environmental subjects (Art, History, Geography,
RE, Classics and Music) and the following programmes : JCSP, LCA. Working collaboratively
with other members of the management team, he/she will contribute to the development
of the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) including the identification of
priorities and targets; the development and implementation of service plans; and the
governance of the organisation. S/he will be contracted on a secondment basis to Dublin
West Education Centre.
Team Leader for Post-Primary Literacy, L 1 English Senior Cycle, Modern Languages, Home
Economics, Junior Certificate Schools (JCSP) and Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA)
Programmes and Cultural and Environmental Subjects will lead and manage a team of postprimary advisors with expertise in the above subjects and programmes. S/he will work as
part of a middle management team and will report directly to the senior management team
of Deputy Directors and the National Director.
All applicants for the role of Team Leader must:

be qualified, serving teachers/deputy principals/principals

be fully registered with the Teaching Council under Regulation 2 and/or Regulation 4
of the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2009.

currently hold a post in a recognised school or be on secondment from such a
position.
The Team Leader will provide local, regional and national professional development and
support for teachers and school leaders in priority educational areas.
2. Job Description
Team Leader for Post-Primary Literacy, L 1 English Senior Cycle, Modern Languages, Home
Economics, Junior Certificate Schools (JCSP) and Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA)
Programmes and Cultural and Environmental Subjects will have responsibility for:

leading and managing the team of full time advisors with expertise in these areas

leading and managing the design of CPD content for seminars, workshops and online support

planning, scheduling, monitoring and evaluating national and regional CPD events

managing school support applications for the relevant subjects/ programmes and
allocating caseload to advisors

monitoring , recording and extraction of CPD support data entered by the postprimary team into the PDST Data Management System

managing budget lines for the above subjects and programmes including preparation
of the annual budget and monitoring of expenditure

leading and managing the team of part-time associates in the relevant subjects and
programmes

co-ordinating the training and development of the full time advisor team and parttime associates

providing resources for the team of advisors

planning induction and training of new team members

preparing and providing resource materials as part of professional development and
support

supporting the integration of ICT into teaching and learning

maintaining the relevant sections of the PDST website

supporting the senior management team in co-ordinating the work of PDST

liaising and working with educational bodies/third level institutions as appropriate

undertaking administrative tasks as required by senior management

writing reports and managing documentation

organising and maintaining effective communication
The responsibilities of the Team Leader may vary in accordance with emerging needs and
priorities and as assigned by the National Director.
3. Range of Knowledge, Experience and Skills required
The ideal candidate will possess a range of competencies and skills to support the role, in
particular:
● excellent interpersonal skills
● leadership knowledge and skills
● a strong work ethic
● project management and project delivery skills
● a range of teaching experience, good knowledge of national curricula, the operation
of schools and relevant legislation
● knowledge of current and emerging education research issues
● knowledge and experience of effective teacher education, school leadership, school
self- evaluation and school improvement strategies
● experience in the design, development and provision of teacher professional
development including evidence of a capacity to mobilise and support teacher
reflection, enquiry and school-based research
● ability to pro-actively organise and coordinate the work of others
● flexibility to meet the needs of the organisation, including a willingness to engage in
travel and/or evening work as necessary
● understanding of the role of ICT in teaching and learning
Experience of teaching through Irish, fluency in the language and willingness to work
through the language of Irish will be an advantage for this post but not essential.
4. Location

Successful candidates will be seconded to Dublin West Education Centre and will report
to the Deputy Director with responsibility for Operations and Service Cohesion.

Administrative support for the work of the Team Leader will be provided through Dublin
West Education Centre.

It will not be a requirement that the Team Leader be based in Dublin West Education
Centre. S/he will however, be expected to travel there and elsewhere as is necessary.

Successful candidates will be required to have their own means of transport and to
possess and retain a full driving licence. Public sector travel and subsistence rates will
apply. Travel and subsistence will be calculated from home or the local Education
Centre, whichever is nearest to the venue.
5. Competition

This post is open to all qualified teachers who hold a recognised post in a recognised
primary or post primary school, and are fully registered with the Teaching Council under
Regulation 2 and/or Regulation 4 of the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations
2009 or are on secondment from such a post.

Any offer of appointment will only be made where it is considered that a suitable
candidate for the post exists.

The appointment is subject to the sanction of the Minister for Education and Skills. No
definitive offer of appointment can be made before sanction is given.

The appointment is on a secondment basis, subject to contract. The successful candidate
will be appointed as soon as possible, with a possibility of further extensions available in
line with normal procedures for secondments, to a maximum of 5 years and subject to
organisational needs and satisfactory performance.

The contract will provide for on-going performance review.

Health, sick leave and general work record must be satisfactory.
6. Salary
The salary for a Team Leader is in accordance with Category 3 as provided for by the 2003
Arbitration Award in respect of teachers on secondment, subject to the conditions outlined
below. Remuneration is at all times subject to the relevant DES or Department of Public
Expenditure and Reform regulations.
A Team Leader is entitled to all of the following:

her/his relevant point on the Teachers’ Common Basic Scale, plus

an honours primary degree allowance

an honours Higher Diploma in Education allowance

the standard Category 3 secondment allowance, which is pensionable (see table
below)
Table 1:
Seconded PDST
Position
Category
Teachers’
Common
Scale
Honours
Basic Degree
Honours H.D.E. Standard
Secondment
allowance
Allowance
Allowance
3
Team
Leader
As applicable
Note: Circular 0053/2014 refers
€4,918pa
€1,236pa
€13,146pa
01/01/2010
01/01/2010
01/01/2010
7. Selection Procedure

Applications should be made by submission of a completed application form. This
should be submitted in electronic format to recruitment@pdst.ie by 5pm on
Wednesday 10 June.

Interviews will take place during the weeks commencing June 22nd and June 29th.

Late applications will not be considered.

A selection committee will be established to carry out all aspects of the selection
process.

Shortlisting may apply.

It is the responsibility of the candidates to make themselves available for interview,
if invited to attend. Candidates should note that it may not be possible to provide an
alternative date.

Those called for interview will be asked to make a 5 minute presentation to the
interview panel focusing on the applicant’s vision for the position and the
contribution they could make to the development of the organisation.

This interview will be competency based in line with the skills outlined in part 3
above of the job description.

A panel may be formed from which future vacancies may be filled.

Canvassing directly or indirectlywill disqualify applications.
8. Release from Present Post

It is a matter for successful candidates to secure the agreement of their school
authorities for release to take up a post for the period concerned.

Successful candidates will be expected to be available to take up appointment as soon as
possible. Commitment of release from your employer will be required. On receipt of an
offer the successful candidate will be asked to seek immediate confirmation from
his/her employer (e.g. Chairperson of the Board of Management). This signed statement
should indicate that the employer (e.g. Chairperson of the Board of Management) is in a
position to release the successful applicant.