Water Safety Officer

THE POSITION

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

The Water Safety Officer will be located in the Climate, Environment, Recreation and Amenity Directorate of Wicklow County Council and will be responsible for the promotion, management, and implementation of water safety education and preventative measures to reduce drownings within County Wicklow. They shall function as a key liaison between Wicklow County Council and Water Safety Ireland (WSI), ensuring that national water safety policies are implemented locally, particularly regarding lifeguard employment and the maintenance of safety equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

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

3. Education, Experience, etc.

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

(a) Each candidate must have a good standard of education. (b) Experience: At least five years’ satisfactory relevant experience in coastal management, water safety, or related operational roles. (c) Technical Competence: Demonstrated ability in coastal operations, water safety equipment management, lifeguard programme delivery, and risk assessment. (d) Strategic Support: Proven experience in supporting the formulation and implementation of strategies, plans, and processes, including stakeholder engagement and community partnership.

PLEASE NOTE: Non-Irish qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. Overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document. Failure to do so will deem your application inadmissible.

The onus is on the candidate to ensure that the relevant qualification is 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.

DUTIES

The Water Safety Officer will be located in the Climate, Environment, Recreation and Amenity Directorate of Wicklow County Council. The following is a non-exhaustive list of key duties and responsibilities which may be assigned to a Water Safety Officer:

1. Strategy, Governance & Liaison

• Lead operational planning for 3 Blue Flag, 1 Green Flag, 7 Identified Designated Bathing Areas, and 7 Non-Identified Designated Bathing Areas; ensure compliance with relevant standards and Council policies.

• Act as primary liaison with Water Safety Ireland and the local Wicklow Water Safety Committee; represent the Council at meetings; implement national guidance locally.

• Prepare the coastal budget; secure contributions; manage spend and financial controls.

2. Lifeguard Programme Management

• Recruit, onboard, schedule, and supervise up to 30 seasonal Beach Lifeguards.

• Deliver and coordinate ongoing training (rescue, first aid/CPR/AED, safeguarding, incident reporting, conflict management).

• Maintain certification records; conduct site audits, drills, debriefs, and performance reviews with the Beach Lifeguards.

• Support the Beach Lifeguards on a day-to-day basis in the delivery of lifeguarding services during the Designated Bathing Season.

3. Water Safety Education & Media

• Design and deliver water safety workshops county-wide, tailored for diverse groups, schools, clubs, and community partners.

• Lead public information and seasonal media campaigns (advisories, closures, rip current awareness, cold-water risks, lifejacket use).

• Develop outreach programmes and measure outcomes.

4. Ringbuoys & Rescue Equipment

• Provide and maintain ringbuoys at all identified locations throughout the County and manage inspection schedules.

• Procure, maintain, and audit lifeguard, instructor, and examiner equipment and PPE.

5. Accessible Beach Infrastructure

• In conjunction with the Access Officer, provide and maintain safe beach access and egress at beaches and lakes.

• Plan improvements (surfaces, ramps, wayfinding, rest areas) and schedule maintenance with contractors; engage user groups for feedback.

6. Incident, Risk & Emergency Management

• Maintain risk assessments for beaches, equipment, access, public conveniences, and lifeguard operations.

• Lead incident reporting and escalation (rescues, near-misses, anti-social behaviour, equipment tampering).

• Coordinate protocols with Gardaí, Coast Guard, RNLI, Irish Water Safety, and Civil Defence.

7. Data, Reporting & Performance

• Maintain accurate records (inspections, incidents, staffing, training, equipment, servicing, accessibility works).

• Produce monthly, seasonal, and annual reports with KPIs, insights, and improvement actions.

8. Technology & Innovation

• Administer remote monitoring systems; refine workflows; evaluate pilots and prepare business cases for scaling sensors and digital mapping.

• Ensure data protection (GDPR) and health and safety compliance for staff and volunteers.

9. Procurement & Contractor Oversight

• Draft specifications; run compliant procurement; manage performance against SLAs.

• Track lifecycle costs of equipment and assets; plan replacements and upgrades.

DESIRABLE SKILLS

• Third-level qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g., Coastal Management, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Water Safety, Public Administration).

• Recognised lifeguard certification or instructor/examiner accreditation from an approved body (e.g., Irish Water Safety).

• Proven experience in implementing and maintaining Blue Flag and Green Flag standards, including bathing water quality monitoring and public communications.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with key stakeholders such as RNLI, Coast Guard, and local Water Safety Committees, fostering strong partnerships and delivering joint initiatives.

A panel may be formed from which future Water Safety Officer 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 or Directorates under the Chief Executive’s control or to any premises or location in use by the Council now or in the future.

DUTIES (GENERAL)

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

€57,322 – €70,030 per annum, including 2nd LSI 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 or her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him or her by virtue of his or her office or in respect of services which he or 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 the salary scale.

HOURS OF WORK

The person appointed will be required to work a 35-hour week, Monday to Friday, which equates to a 7-hour day to be accounted for within attendance hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with one hour lunch between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

There may be a requirement to work additional hours from time to time, for which time in lieu will apply. No overtime applies to this post.

A flexi system is also in operation.

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 and vulnerable adults.

CITIZENSHIP

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

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). (b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK). (c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons. (d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA, UK, or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp 4 visa. (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. (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, the UK, or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

WORK PERMIT

All non-EU or EEA citizens must hold a valid work permit prior to and for the duration of their contract. The work permit must allow full-time work 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 the contract a valid work permit ceases to be held, Wicklow County Council must be immediately advised and employment will cease with immediate effect.

HEALTH

For the purposes of satisfying the requirements as to health, successful candidates will, before appointment, be required to undergo at their own expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.

RESIDENCE

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