Fire Services
Assistant Chief Fire Officer
€57,909-€80,498 LSI2
Advertised Date: 14 Oct 2024
Annual Salary
Waterford
Permanent
Closing Date: 07 Nov 2024, 04:00 PM
Job Summary
THE ROLE
Waterford Fire Service fulfils the obligations of Waterford City and County Council under Section 10 of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 by the provision, equipping and training of fire brigades in 10 fire stations located throughout its administrative area. It receives and responds to approximately 1500 emergency calls per annum.
It also monitors and enforces fire safety in the built environment under Section 18 of the Act through inspection and the giving of advice to building owners and the wide community. Further fire safety functions are carried out under other legislation such as the assessment of fire safety certificates, licensing of petroleum stores and engagement with competent professionals through an Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation scheme.
The co-ordination of Waterford City and County Councils major emergency response preparations is carried out by Waterford Fire Service.
The Assistant Chief Fire Officer will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering these key functions and reporting to the Chief Fire Officer or a delegated line manager.
Reporting to the Chief Fire Officer or his nominee, the Assistant Chief Fire Officer will work as part of a team within the Fire Prevention Section. They will also be required at times to work independently on their own initiative as circumstances demand.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE SHALL
* have an ability to work on their own initiative and within a multi-disciplinary team and have the ability to motivate and encourage others to achieve maximum performance;
* have strong interpersonal and communication skills;
* have a good working knowledge or demonstrate an ability to acquire a good working knowledge of the legal, regulatory and governance framework within which the City & County Council operates and adhere to corporate policies, protocols and procedures;
* possess strong IT skills;
* have good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace;
* have an understanding of the role and duties of managers in safety management in the workplace;
* have the ability to manage financial resources within a budgetary control framework;
* on the date of appointment possess a current unendorsed full driving licence (Category A1, A and/or B) as they may be required to drive in the course of their duties.
QUALIFICATIONS
Character:
Each candidate 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.:
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications: -
(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 a satisfactory knowledge of one or more of the following:-
* Principles and practices of fire safety,
* Fire service operations
* Major emergency management,
* Technological and industrial processes,
(c) Have at least five years satisfactory relevant experience, including adequate experience in at least one of the areas specified at (b) above.
(d) Have a high standard of training in one or more of the areas specified in (b) above and, in the case of a new entrant to the fire service, successfully complete basic fire-fighter training and Breathing Apparatus Initial Wearers Course before the expiry of the probationary period.
(e) Be competent to perform efficiently the duties of the office and possess the appropriate qualities.
DUTIES - THE DUTIES OF THE POST INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
The duties shall be such as may be assigned to the officer by the local authority and shall include the duty of deputising for other employees of a higher grade as required. An ACFO must undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required, or assigned, from time to time. A non-exhaustive list of the Assistant Chief Fire officers’ duties and responsibilities are set out below:
Fire Prevention, may include:
* Carrying out Fire Authority functions associated with Apartment and Duplex Defect Remediation schemes
* Processing of fire safety certificate applications and use of Building Control Management System/BCMS to assist this process.
* Providing advice to design teams, building owners and occupiers on fire safety matters.
* Carrying out of inspections under the Fire Services Acts, Building Control Act and other relevant legislation (this may also include the carrying out of during performance inspections, as required) and using professional judgement to assist in resolving fire safety deficiencies for the safety of patrons within buildings.
* Carrying out Fire Authority functions associated under the Dangerous Substances Act, 1972.
* Delivering enforcement functions as an authorised officer under relevant legislation and representing the local authority appropriately in such activities, including within the Courts Service (and giving evidence in court, where required).
* Represent the Fire Authority in dealing with licence applications and before the Courts and providing professional expert opinion to the Courts if required.
* Special projects and work required to deliver on locally delivered objectives of national schemes and policies in the area of fire prevention/fire safety development/remediation.
* Educating the community on fire safety through Community Fire Safety campaigns and coordinating such activities delivered by firefighters.
* Other work as directed some of which may necessitate working outside of normal working hours.
Fire Service Operations, may include:
* Management and support of Waterford Fire Service operational staff.
* Effective communications with interested parties on staffing issues and industrial relations concerns and/or implementation of agreements and national policy.
* Management and development of Fire Stations as an asset including buildings/facilities, building systems, fire service equipment.
* Management of fire service fleet and equipment, including servicing and maintenance ensuring optimal operational performance and safety.
* Organising & attending training including on-station/drill training, local and national Fire Service Training Courses.
* Coordinating and assisting in managing the various elements of Waterford Fire Services Occupational Health and Health and Safety Management systems.
* Developing & updating Pre-Incident Plans and planning for new or emerging risks.
* Participation, if required, in the Senior Fire Officers Roster in accordance with the 1996 Rostering Agreement (or as amended).
Emergency Preparedness, may include:
* Continuous improvement, review and implementation of Waterford City and County Councils Major Emergency Plan.
* Organising and participating in both local, regional, national MEM training, exercises and sharing of best practice.
* Active engagement with internal and external stakeholders for Emergency Planning including Principal Response Agencies.
* Climate change adaptation activities.
The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to, an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the City & County Council.
* The local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive is Chief Executive, and
* 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 referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such officers as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate computing, technical, management, administrative, executive, supervisory, advisory and ancillary services 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 and to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him or her by the Chief Executive from time to time including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The holder of the post will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.
Human Resources Department
Contact Details
Waterford City & County Council
2nd Floor, Civic Offices
Dungarvan
Co Waterford
X35 Y326
058 22037
recruitment@waterfordcouncil.ie
#J-18808-Ljbffr