Harbour Constable

THE POSITION

The Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Harbour Constable. It is proposed to form a panel of qualified candidates from which vacancies will be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

QUALIFICATIONS

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

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

Education, Experience, etc.

Candidates must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

Have a good standard of general education to enable the duties of the post to be performed to the satisfaction of the Local Authority.

Have knowledge of local navigation, tidal flows, weather forecasting, local fishing operation, slipway and marina operations.

Be computer literate with a working knowledge of e-mail, Word, Excel etc.

Have a general knowledge and experience of Health & Safety Practices/Procedures (e.g. risk assessments, safety work practice sheets).

DRIVING LICENCE/TRAVEL

The holder of the office will be required to hold a valid Irish/EU full driving licence for Class B vehicles or a licence acceptable to NDLS for exchange, free from endorsement and disqualification. They must be a competent driver and shall drive a motor car in the course of his/her duties and, for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the Local Authority. The Local Authority must be indemnified on their insurance.

https://www.ndls.ie/help/faq.html#exchange-of-foreign-driving-licence

The onus is on the candidate to ensure that all relevant qualifications are listed on their application form. In the event that an offer of employment is made, the candidate will be required to submit all relevant Educational Qualifications in order to meet the requirements above.

DESIRABLE SKILLS (but not essential):

Hold marine qualifications, e.g. fast rescue boat, firefighting, efficient deck hand, controlled proficiency in survival craft (CPSC), VHF etc.

Have served in recent years in a supervisory capacity at sea, e.g. Ships Bosun / Petty Officer / Fishing Skipper.

Have knowledge of maintenance of marine engines and inshore craft, e.g. approved marine engine course.

Hold a current Safe Pass Registration Card, details of which must be entered on the application form.

Hold a current clean full Class BE driving licence, details of which must be entered on the application form.

A minimum of two years’ experience of managing either a merchant vessel, marine facility or a marine related business.

Training in oil spill response.

Have experience in a supervisory role and in dealing with the public in customer-related roles.

Have successfully completed Manual Handling training and hold a current certificate at the closing date of the competition.

DUTIES

The following is a non-exhaustive list of key duties and responsibilities which may be assigned to a Harbour Constable:

(a) Ensuring that Wicklow County Council’s harbours, piers and other marine facilities are maintained and functioning in a proper manner. Organising/carrying out repair and maintenance works in a timely manner.

(b) The collection of all Harbour, Port and Marina Charges, issuing of receipts and accounting for same in an approved manner to the Local Authority.

(c) Ensuring that the Harbour, Port and Marina areas are maintained and in a tidy and orderly condition at all times, including daily litter inspections and clean up.

(d) The enforcement of Harbour/Port Bye-Laws as appropriate.

(e) Keeping records of all vessels and goods entering or leaving the Harbour/Port/Marina and submitting reports on a weekly basis or as required.

(f) Supplying water/power etc. to vessels as required, including the correct management, use and conservation of said water/power supplies.

(g) The collection of statistics and information as required.

(h) Reporting accidents within the Harbour and Marina areas and reporting any incidents of damage to Harbour/Marina structures, boats or property.

(i) Report to Harbour Master or such other designated person as required.

(j) Deputising for the Harbour Master/Assistant Marine Officer in his absence.

(k) Carrying out duties in other Harbours/Ports/Piers/Marine Facilities as may be assigned from time to time.

(l) Complying with other work requirements as necessary, including maintenance and cleaning of slipways and other facilities throughout the County.

(m) Conforming to Wicklow County Council’s policies for health and safety.

(n) Operation and crewing of any and all Council vessels and acting as coxswain where required.

(o) Maintaining/inspecting of Council vessels, engines and machinery.

(p) Such additional duties, including duties relating to any of the Council’s functions, as may be assigned by the Local Authority from time to time.

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

A panel may be formed from which future Harbour Constable positions may be filled. The position will be full-time and pensionable.

The successful candidate(s) may be assigned as required to any of the Municipal Districts/Directorates under the Chief Executive’s control or to any premises/location in use by the Council now or in the future.

Duties

The duties of the office are to give to the local authority and:

(a) to such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001–2014, is Chief Executive, and

(b) to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph.

Under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other officer as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate professional/technical and ancillary services of an advisory, supervisory or executive nature as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The holder of the office will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.

Probation

Where persons who are not already permanent officers of a Local Authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect, during which such persons shall hold office on probation.

(b) Such period shall be three months (temporary contract) and six months (permanent contract). This period may be extended at the Chief Executive’s discretion.

(c) Such persons shall cease to hold such office at the end of the period of probation, unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

Salary

€784.48 - €806.04 gross per week (analogous to Water Caretaker Grade III) in accordance with Circular EL 07/2025.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time in line with national policy. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform. Starting pay shall be determined in accordance with appropriate Departmental Circular letters. New Entrants will be placed on the minimum of salary scale.

Hours of Work

The successful candidate shall work a 39-hour week and, depending on location of the post, working hours shall be:

8.00am – 4.30pm Monday to Thursday

8.00am – 3.30pm Friday

The post will require flexibility in working outside normal hours, including at weekends as necessary. Overtime, if applicable, will apply at agreed overtime rates.

Garda Vetting

Candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting. Appointment(s) will be considered having regard to receipt of satisfactory Garda Vetting, particularly to determine suitability to work with children/vulnerable adults.

Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or

f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

Work Permit

All non-EU/EEA citizens must hold a valid work permit prior to and for the duration of their contract. The work permit must allow you to work full-time for Wicklow County Council. It is the responsibility of individual employees to ensure that they have a valid work permit. If at any stage during your contract you cease to hold a valid work permit you must immediately advise Wicklow County Council and your employment will cease with immediate effect.