Assistant Fire Officer

SECTION 1: THE ROLE

Cork County Council Fire & Building Control Department performs the Council’s functions as Fire Authority and Building Control Authority. These functions are managed and delivered through four divisional offices which are located in Mallow, Midleton, Bantry and a headquarter office which is located at County Hall Campus, Cork.

The Assistant Fire Officer works as part of a multi-disciplinary team within a division of the Fire & Building Control Department to deliver key local authority services such as; building inspections, fire prevention, fire safety engineering, building control, community fire safety, fire service operations, major emergency management and co-ordination of Civil Defence.

Assistant Fire Officers are key members of staff responsible for the delivery of public safety services. Reporting to an Assistant Chief Fire Officer, or such designated persons as may be assigned from time to time, the Assistant Fire Officer will work as part of a team within the Fire & Building Control Department. He/She will also be required to work independently on his/her own initiative as circumstances demand.

SECTION 2: DUTIES

The duties may include but are not limited to the following and the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

SECTION 3: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA / QUALIFICATIONS

1. Character

Each candidate must be of good character. The successful applicant will be subject to Garda Vetting prior to any appointment being confirmed.

2. Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. Education, Training, Experience etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the office –

a) Hold, in the National Framework of Qualifications:

i. A degree at Level 8 in engineering, architecture, or other building construction related discipline, or

ii. A professional qualification equivalent to one of the foregoing awarded by the relevant professional body, or

iii. A degree at Level 8 in a science or technology related discipline including physics, chemistry, environmental or computer science, information communications technology; or a fire related discipline including fire safety, emergency management or emergency services, or

iv. A degree at Level 8 together with a Level 9 qualification in a fire related discipline including fire safety, emergency management or emergency services.

b) Have at least 2 years satisfactory relevant experience.

c) Be competent to perform efficiently the duties of the Office.

4. Age

Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant within the meaning of the Public Services Superannuation Act, 2004. A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 70 years of age.

5. Transport

Holders of the office shall hold a full driving licence for Class B Vehicles as recognised in the Republic of Ireland and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.

6. Required Skills Set

In the context of the key duties and responsibilities for the post of Assistant Fire Officer listed above, the ideal candidate should demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that they have knowledge and experience of:

• Building design and construction; • Building Regulations; • Fire service operations; • Telecommunications and information technology; • Technological and industrial processes.

(Candidates should have satisfactory knowledge and experience in one or more of the above.)

The successful candidate will be supported with training and mentoring as necessary in the following areas:

a) Technical Fire Safety b) Building Regulations c) Fire Service Operations

SECTION 4: COMPETENCIES

A Competency Based Application form requires you to describe some of your personal achievements to date that demonstrate certain competencies (necessary skills and qualities) required for the position for which you are applying. For each competency, you are given a description of a skill or quality.

You are then asked to describe a situation, from your own experience, which you think is the best example of what YOU have done which demonstrates this skill or quality.

It is essential that you describe how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question. Therefore, compose your replies carefully in this section and try to structure what you write so that you give specific information about what you have done - for example, do not simply say that “X was successful”, describe exactly what you did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question.

For each example, please include the following:

a) the nature of the task, problem or objective;

b) what you actually did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality (and, where appropriate, the date you demonstrated it);

c) the outcome or result of the situation and your estimate of the proportion of credit you can claim for the outcome.

The information you present in your application may form part of a shortlisting process and may also be used to help structure your interview, should you be invited to one. A shortlisting process may be applied based on TWO or more of the competencies and on other information you provide in your application form.

SECTION 5: TENURE

The position is permanent and fulltime. The post is pensionable. A panel may be formed to fill this position and vacancies for Assistant Fire Officer which may arise during the lifetime of the panel.

SECTION 6: SALARY

The Salary scale for the post is:

€48,248 - €74,809 per annum

€48,248 – €50,942 – €52,949 – €55,032 – €57,166 – €59,335 – €61,524 – €63,714 – €65,903 - €68,095 - €70,299 (Maximum); €72,552 (1st LSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the Maximum). €74,809 (2nd LSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the 1st LSI).

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at a minimum point.

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

SECTION 7: LOCATION OF POST

The base for working purposes shall be the location as determined by Cork County Council. Cork County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises or district in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or compensation.

The initial vacancy is Midleton Fire Station.

The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

SECTION 8: WORKING HOURS

The working hours at present provide for a five day, 35 hour working week. A flexible working hours’ system is in operation and may be availed of subject to the terms and conditions of the Flexitime Policy.

The post requires flexibility in working outside of normal hours. Duties will require the successful candidate to work outside of normal hours i.e. attendance at evening/weekend training, duties etc. as part of normal working hours without additional remuneration. All hours worked will be subject to the provision of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 as amended.

SECTION 9: ANNUAL LEAVE

The current annual leave entitlement is 30 days per annum or on a pro-rata basis for period worked. Notice of intention to take leave shall be given to the council at least two weeks before proposed leave commences.

Cork County Council’s leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (as amended).

SECTION 10: ELIGIBILITY TO WORK IN IRELAND

Please note that in order to work in Ireland, a non-EEA National, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid Employment Permit. Should you be successful in the selection process, prior to appointment you will be required to confirm that you are in possession of same.

Details of the process for you to apply for a work permit are available on the following website;