Organisation information
Careers with the Department of Transport
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Last updated on
Over 600 staff work for the Department of Transport in locations across the country. Working with the Department of Transport (DoT) can provide you with a rewarding, fulfilling and varied career in a supportive, inclusive and positive working environment.
All vacancies in the department are advertised on the PAS website.
The department embraces a diverse workforce and recognises the value that staff of different backgrounds, perspectives and skills sets contribute to the organisation. Public service ethos is a core value we hold and we provide equal opportunities across our workforce and encourage a dynamic working environment.
How we work is guided by both public service and departmental values that inform our individual and collective behaviour and decision-making. Our shared purpose underlies our values, uniting colleagues around making a positive difference in society:
For further information on our shared purpose, please read the department’s Statement of Strategy 2023-2025.
Department staff work in a wide variety of areas and roles, ranging from general administrative and service roles to specialist professional positions.
The vast majority of roles are suitable for blended working arrangements, facilitated by sophisticated IT systems. Other roles involving our inspectorate, and safety critical operations, for example specialist roles in the Irish Coast Guard, accident investigation units and the Marine Survey Office incorporate outdoor work.
We also offer opportunities to work abroad in key strategic posts, such as in the European Commission in our Permanent Representative in Brussels and as seconded national experts to various international organisations.
Most of our people enter the Civil Service via recruitment campaigns run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Promotion opportunities arise through a mixture of internal, interdepartmental and PAS competitions.
To register for job alerts across the public sector, including the Department of Transport, please register with the Public Appointments Service.
We also recruit directly for specialist professional and technical roles.
Vacancies for specialist and professional roles in areas such as Economics, Engineering, Finance, IT/ICT, Legal Services, Surveyor, Air/Marine/Rail Accident Investigator and Irish Coast Guard roles are advertised occasionally in accordance with the department’s business needs.
In addition to our network of offices and key locations nationwide, the department also has a presence in key locations such as the Permanent Representation in Brussels. Opportunities regularly arise for secondment to other government departments and agencies and to the EU and International Institutions, in accordance with cross-departmental and EU and International administrative business needs.
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide additional support and flexibility to enable a truly enjoyable work life balance, including:
Civil servants employed by the department are entitled to a tiered pay scale where annual increments are awarded, subject to satisfactory performance and compliance with Sick Leave guidelines. Your pay scale is dependent on your grade and associated responsibilities.
Department employees will be offered the appropriate superannuation (pension) terms and conditions as prevailing in the Civil Service at the time of being offered an appointment. A new staff member who has never worked in the Public Service will be offered appointment based on membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.
Pay during absences will apply on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of prevailing sick leave circulars.
A Paid Sick Leave Scheme provides for payment to staff during periods of absence from work due to illness or injury:
In recognition of the fact that, sometimes, a longer period of sick leave can be required to address a critical illness or serious physical injury, there are further Critical Illness Provisions which may apply in exceptional circumstances.
The department is committed to the ongoing training and development of our staff to ensure that we have relevant skills sets to help us achieve our business objectives and that our staff are supported to pursue self-development opportunities. Each member of staff completes yearly Learning and Development Plan with their manager in order to select training courses which will help them achieve their work goals.
The department supports, through its Third Level Advance of Fees scheme, formal educational courses that lead to educational or professional qualifications which are relevant to the business needs of the department. These courses are undertaken in an employee’s own time, however the department will support participants through the provision of paid study and exam leave.
Department staff are entitled to apply for the Travel Pass Scheme and Cycle to Work Scheme and Taxsaver Commuter Ticket Scheme. We are a certified Gold Cycle Friendly Employer and a certified Gold Smarter Travel Employer.
Recruitment for the Department of Transport is primarily facilitated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). All vacancies in the department are advertised on the PAS website.
Register with the Public Appointments Service and sign up for job alerts indicating your areas of interest to receive email updates about new competitions.
For general information about general and specialist careers in this department, you can contact us directly in HR Division:
Applications for competitions must be submitted on designated application forms via the process outlined on the Candidate Information Booklet relating to that competition.