Senior Executive Fire Prevention Officer

The Role:

Cork City Council’s Fire and Building Control Department ensures adequate fire safety in buildings and other structures by enforcing relevant fire safety and building control legislation, alongside the delivery of fire prevention strategies and education.

The Department is committed to promoting community fire safety, working closely with local communities, schools, and other agencies to ensure the public is aware of vital safety information that helps protect themselves and their families.

The Fire Safety / Prevention Section within the Department is governed primarily by the Fire Services Act, 1981 and the Building Control Act, 1990.

The Fire Services Act places a duty of care on every person controlling certain premises to take all reasonable measures to prevent fires and, as far as reasonably practicable, to ensure the safety of persons on the premises in the event of fire.

The Building Control Act provides the statutory basis for the Building Regulations.

The Fire Prevention Section is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the fire safety provisions of the Building Control Act for most buildings, excluding houses.

The Senior Executive Fire Prevention Officer plays a critical role in delivering and managing Fire Safety / Prevention Services, ensuring that Cork City Council meets the demands and expectations of the Council and the wider community.

Reporting to the Chief Fire Officer, or a designated officer as assigned, the Senior Executive Fire Prevention Officer will lead a team within the Fire Safety / Prevention Section.

This is a senior management role, involving leadership, staff management, administration, planning, and quality assurance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the Fire Safety / Prevention Section and managing assigned staff.

• Administration and implementation of Fire Safety legislation.

• Fire safety management practices to ensure adequate safety in buildings and other structures.

• Leading and administrating the Department’s Community Fire Safety programme

• Staff training, development, and performance management.

• Ensuring Fire safety and inspection regimes are appropriately coordinated.

• Communications, reporting, and quality assurance.

• Contributing to brigade development, research, and strategic initiatives.

The Senior Executive Fire Prevention Officer ensures that all areas of fire safety and prevention are effectively administered, supporting the Department in maintaining high standards of operational and community safety.

This role plays a key part in safeguarding the community and ensuring the highest standards of fire safety and prevention across Cork City.

The Senior Executive Fire Prevention Officer duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Administration and implementation of relevant legislation, including

• Building Control Act 1990 and Building Regulations 1997
• Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003
• Other legislation relating to validation, assessment, inspections, and prosecutions under the above legislation

• Management of fire safety functions, inspections or enforcement tasks as allocated.

• Ensuring compliance by guiding non-compliant situations into compliance as quickly and effectively as possible.

• Strategy and policy development: Assisting in the development, review, and delivery of strategies, policies, and functions within the Fire Prevention Section.

• Staff leadership and development: Leading, managing, motivating, and developing staff within the section.

• Technical oversight: Maintaining a high technical standard in fire safety engineering, designs, codes of practice, and related technical areas.

• Training and education: Participating in the provision of training and educational programmes for fire service personnel.

• Evaluation of fire safety designs: Managing and supervising the evaluation of fire safety designs for building developments and the regulation of outdoor events.

• Legal and enforcement duties: Attending court and giving evidence in respect of enforcement and licensing proceedings.

• Collaboration and liaison: Liaising with operational Fire Service staff, other City Council Departments, and relevant external agencies.

• Community fire safety: Responsibility for fire safety education, promotion, and community engagement initiatives.

• Other duties: Carrying out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Chief Fire Officer or designated officer.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for Senior Executive Fire Prevention Officer are as set out hereunder:

Character:

Each candidate must be of good character.

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.

Education, Experience, etc.

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

(a) hold a recognised degree (level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in engineering or architecture or a recognised degree in the final examination for which they obtained a pass in chemistry or physics taken at honours level, or a qualification equivalent to one of these,

(b) have satisfactory relevant training and experience, and

(c) have satisfactory experience in administration and management, including the control and discipline of staff.

The ideal candidate shall have the following Skills and Experience:

The successful candidate will be a confident and capable leader who:

• Provides clear vision, direction and motivation to teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and high performance.

• Has a proven track record of delivering results at a senior level within a complex organisation.

• Brings strong experience in leading and developing multi-disciplinary teams to achieve strategic and operational objectives.

• Demonstrates innovation, sound judgement and strong analytical capability in solving complex problems.

• Takes a collaborative and outward-looking approach, building productive relationships across departments, agencies and stakeholders.

• Is financially aware and experienced in managing budgets and resources to maximise value and service delivery.

• Understands the governance, regulatory and public administration environment in Ireland and operates confidently within it.

• Communicates clearly and persuasively, engaging effectively with staff at all levels, elected members, consultants, contractors and the public.

• Has strong organisational, digital and reporting skills, with the ability to prepare and present clear technical and statistical information.

• Promotes and upholds a strong culture of health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace.

• Works independently, demonstrates initiative, and drives continuous improvement.

It would be desirable if the successful candidate had the following Skills and Experience:

• Possess a current unendorsed full driving licence (Category B) and/or have access to a vehicle as they may be required to travel in the course of their duties.

Candidates must also:

• Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned;

• Be suitable on the grounds of character;

• Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned;

Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they:

• Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed

• Are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, meet the above essential criteria.

The Office

The office is whole time, permanent and pensionable.

The holder of the office shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an officer of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of their duties as an officer of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with discharge of their duties as a local authority officer.

Probation

Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(i) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation;

(ii) Such period shall be a maximum of 12 months;

(iii) Such persons shall cease to hold the position 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

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time.

The holder of the post shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of the post or in respect of any services, which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale for the position of Senior Executive Fire Prevention Officer is:

Salary Scale effective from 1st June 2026:

€80,680 - €83,153 - €84,338 - €86,828 - €89,339 - €91,842 - €94,364 - €97,533 - €100,692

Salary for the post shall be in accordance with existing practice as set out in relevant circulars.

Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale.

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

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 the minimum point.

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

Residence

The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Start Date

The Local Authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than three months and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the Local Authority shall not appoint them.

Duties

In accordance with Section 159(3) & (4) of Local Government Act 2001 an employee of the local authority shall perform the duties of the office and give the local authority 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 services of an executive, administrative or management nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties and to exercise such powers, duties and functions as may be delegated to them by the Chief Executive from time to time including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by the local authority and such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any local authority.

The holder of the office will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.

Hours of attendance

Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 35 hours gross per week.

The successful candidate will be required to work such additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of their duties subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations.

The rate of remuneration payable covers any extra attendance liability that may arise from time to time.

Annual Leave

The annual leave allowance for the position of Senior Executive Fire Prevention Officer is 30 days.

This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in the public service, is based on a five-day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

Sick Leave

Pay during properly certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent disability for service, will apply on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the sick leave circulars.

Superannuation Contributions

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority, who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).

All persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority are required, in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme, 1986, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration or net pensionable remuneration, whichever is relevant and in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority for the first time on or after 1 January 2013 are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution and are required in respect of superannuation to contribute at the rate of 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children) plus 3% of pensionable pay.