Civil Defence Trainers

The Roles

Reporting to an Assistant Principal of the relevant training area, the Civil Defence Trainer will have responsibility for the development and delivery of courses within the Civil Defence College. This training delivery will generally be on a Train the Trainer (TTT) basis i.e. delivering training to nominated volunteers from each Civil Defence Unit, who will then return to their units and train onwards to volunteers within their unit. Successful candidates will also liaise with third-party service providers on training related matters.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities of the roles may include some or all of the following:

• Contributing to the development of the Training College Strategy.

• Developing and instructing (both in person and remotely) in designated college courses.

• Procurement of training courses and associated budgeting.

• Building strong stakeholder relationships to ensure that training delivery is appropriate and effective, and that continuous improvement is embedded.

• Preparing periodical reports & statistics on training delivery.

• Representing the College and the Civil Defence as required, including the delivery of presentations to various Stakeholder Groups.

• Maximising the use of technology and varied delivery methods, to advance the quality and efficiency of service provision.

• Supporting robust and effective governance, risk management and quality assurance processes in all training delivery.

• Liaising with the Training Administration Team to ensure that all new courses and certifications are configured on the Volunteer & Equipment Management System.

• Engaging and participating in continuing professional development (CPD) and undertaking any other course of instruction or training, including academic education, deemed necessary and relevant to the duties of the post.

• The Medical & Governance Trainer role will involve working with The Civil Defence Education and Training Faculty comprised of Civil Defence PHECC Education Award Holders.

Please note:

The above is a general guide to the key duties and responsibilities of the role and is not an exhaustive description. Other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the role may also be assigned.

Office Location and Vacancies

Successful candidates will be based in either Civil Defence College, Benamore, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, or Phoenix Training Centre based at Ratra House in Phoenix Park, Dublin.

The specific office location assigned will be agreed by the relevant Assistant Principal in consultation with the successful candidates.

There is currently one vacancy for each Trainer post and candidates may apply for one or both of these vacancies on the application form.

Candidates who are successful in this competition will be placed on a corresponding panel in order of merit for their selected role(s). These panels will be used to fill current and any future vacancies that may arise. It is not expected that appointments will be made from this panel after February 2028.

Working Environment

The successful candidates will be expected to work fulltime ‘on site’ for the first three months. Access to Remote (blended) Working may be considered at that point having regard to the nature of the work environment and subject to the business needs of the organisation. Dependent on operational requirements, this role may result in the successful candidates working ‘out of hours’ from time to time.

Please note that Civil Defence Trainers will be required to deliver some training remotely via a video conferencing platform.

There will be a requirement for regular travel within Ireland to deliver training, and attend meetings, etc in regional locations. In addition, successful candidates may be required to travel to the UK or Europe to attend meetings/conferences, workshops, etc. Any such requirement is very infrequent. Travel and subsistence will be paid in accordance with Civil Service regulations.

Civil Defence Trainers will have access to a vehicle (manual transmission) for official duties. Please note that a current full driving licence (Category B), valid in Ireland (without restrictions) is an essential requirement for these roles.

Personal Training and Development

The Department has a range of learning and development supports, including a defence sector specific micro-credential course provided in conjunction with Maynooth University, and leadership development. The successful candidate(s) will also be able to avail of unique opportunities, specific to this role to enhance their professional competencies and skills. Civil Defence Trainers are given the opportunity to review their development needs through the Department’s Performance Management and Development System (PMDS).

Benefits

As well as a rewarding and challenging career, some of the benefits of working with Civil Defence College include:

• Competitive salary with yearly increments for satisfactory performance.

• Public Sector pension.

• 29 days of annual leave per year rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service.

• Access to well-being programmes to support a healthy work-life balance.

Subject to business needs and a satisfactory probationary period:

o Extensive learning and development opportunities, including access to an Educational Support Scheme supporting further third level studies.

o Access to the Shorter Working Year Scheme.

o Facility to apply for career breaks (subject to relevant service requirements).

• Opportunity to avail of the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme, and the tax saver public transport pass.

• Opportunity to join the Public Service Credit Union.

• Regular opportunities for promotion through internal, inter-departmental and open competitions.

Salary Range: From €60,029 to €76,546

Essential

Candidates must on or before, 9th July 2026:

Role 1- Civil Defence Trainer - Medical & Governance

(a) Be a current PHECC Education Award Holder* or a Practitioner who is currently registered, without sanction, with the PHECC.

Role 2- Civil Defence Trainer – General

(b) Hold a qualification in an area relevant to the role such as a Diploma in Small Craft Surveying, Irish Sailing Association Advanced Powerboat Certificate, Personal Survival Techniques training, etc.

Candidates for both roles must also have:

A qualification in Training or Education (minimum level 6 NFQ or equivalent). (PHECC Education Award Holders satisfy this requirement).

Minimum 2 years recent relevant experience delivering training, including designing/developing training material/programmes.

Experience using training software (e.g. Moodle, Articulate, Microsoft Office).

Knowledge of corporate governance and internal control principles.

Planning and organisation skills, flexibility, adaptability, ability to work in changing environments.

Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build stakeholder relationships.

Strong oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills.

High commitment, motivation, ability to work independently and in teams.

Strong judgement, problem solving and decision-making skills.

Ability to collate, analyse and present information from multiple sources.

Ability to share information, knowledge and expertise.

Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office.

Commitment to Continuing Professional Development.

Full valid Category B driving licence (manual and automatic).

Desirable

• Role 1: Experience with Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Quality Review & Governance Validation Framework audits.

• Role 2: Experience in Marine Search, Rescue and Recovery; small craft surveying.

• Experience adapting delivery for learners with numeracy/literacy challenges.

• Understanding of public sector environment and government strategy.

• Experience in procurement of training programmes/services.

Please note:

Qualifications/eligibility may not be confirmed until the final stage of the process. Candidates who do not meet requirements by the specified date will not be considered. The onus is on the candidate to ensure eligibility. publicjobs reserves the right to deem an applicant ineligible at any stage. Candidates may be required to provide documentary evidence of qualifications, including transcripts.