Roles and duties of civil servants
A civil servant is a member of staff in a public or semi-public organisation who serves a political or administrative purpose. They carry out a wide range of roles and missions to make an organisation function and meet the needs of citizens. The main responsibilities of a civil servant include:
- Providing services to the public: Civil servants are dedicated to serving the public and meeting citizens' needs. They may provide direct services (for example, collecting taxes or providing information to citizens) or indirect services (for example, developing regulations or policies).
- Maintaining the affairs of the state: Civil servants help maintain the affairs of the state by offering services to citizens and providing information on policies and regulations. They may also provide advice to government bodies, businesses and citizens.
- Developing and implementing policies: Civil servants are involved in developing and implementing policies and regulations that govern the public and private sectors. They also help to develop strategies to improve public services and citizens' quality of life.
- Supervising and managing staff: Civil servants are responsible for recruiting, managing and supervising public service staff. They may also be responsible for staff training and development, developing remuneration packages and preparing financial reports.
- Exercising control functions: Civil servants may also exercise control functions to ensure that public services are managed appropriately. They may monitor public finances, check the procedures and policies in force and investigate irregularities.
Salary and career development of civil servants
A civil servant's salary is primarily based on grade and step. It provides a decent standard of living and access to very attractive social benefits. Salary increases are linked to experience and successful completion of examinations. Here is a list of annual salary increases based on years of experience:
- 0 to 2 years: between €20,000 and €30,000
- 2 to 5 years: between €30,000 and €40,000
- 5 to 10 years: between €40,000 and €50,000
- 10 to 15 years: between €50,000 and €60,000
- More than 15 years: between €60,000 and €70,000
There are many different career paths open to civil servants. They can range from adviser to administrator. Other positions may include :
- Debt collector
- Social mediation officer
- Public services inspector
- Public finance officer
- Tax agent.