Assistant Chief Fire Officer

THE COMPETITION Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post of Assistant Cheif Fire Officer from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. This panel will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 6-12 months at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

JOB DESCRIPTION The Assistant Chief Fire Officer works as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the Emergency Services Directorate to deliver key local authority services. Assistant Chief Fire Officers work under the direction of the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) or another officer designated by the Chief Executive. The Assistant Chief Fire Officer shall report to the Chief Fire Officer and undertake the duties as assigned to them by the Chief Fire Officer (or their nominee). The role requires a clear knowledge and understanding of local authority services and its key stakeholders and relationships, local government structures and its democratic role and mandate, current local government issues, future trends and strategic direction of the sector, management and implementation of change.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE FOR THE ROLE The ideal candidate for the position shall have: • Excellent knowledge of local policies and plans • Leadership skills and experience particularly working with teams • People management skills • Understanding of the role and duties of managers in safety management in the workplace; • Good decision making and strong analytical skills • Experience working on design, supervision, document/record management or working in a project management role; Financial management skills including knowledge of procurement & other procedures • Excellent report writing skills • An ability to work to deadlines • Flexibility in terms of working hours • Excellent ICT skills DUTIES 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: • 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 inspections and risk assessments 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 3 • Give advice and talks on fire safety to all members of our community and actively engage with the community to enhance fire safety awareness and reduce fire injuries and fatalities. • Other work as directed some of which may necessitate working outside of normal working hours.

Building Control, may include: • Assessment of Commencement Notices and other applications through the BCMS • Assessment of Disability Access Certificates • Inspection of buildings and works for compliance with the Building Regulations • Represent the Fire Authority before the courts in relation to Enforcement proceedings • Give advice on compliance with the Building Regulations and Building Control Regulations • Dangerous Structure and Dangerous Place Inspections and Associated File Management • Market Surveillance under the Construction Product Regulations • BER surveillance and enforcement.

Fire Service Operations, may include: • Management and support of Clare County Fire and Rescue 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. • Co-ordinating and assisting in managing the various elements of Clare County Council’s Safety Management system • Developing & updating Pre-Incident Plans and planning for new or emerging risks in the County. • Participation, if required, in the Senior Fire Officers Roster in accordance with the 1996 Rostering Agreement (or as amended). This includes attending incidents as a rostered senior fire officer, on-station training and exercises out of normal working hours.

Health, Safety and Welfare, may include: • Managing and operating the Fire Service occupational health and safety management system (including maintaining ISO 45001:2018 accreditation with continuous improvement). • Implementing a continuous improvement programme for occupational health, safety and welfare • Carrying out risk assessments of equipment, training, work activities and implementing mitigation measures. • Supporting staff welfare and ensuring compliance with policy and procedures to this end. Emergency Preparedness, may include: • Continuous improvement, review and implementation of Clare County Council Major Emergency Plan in line with National Framework for Major Emergency Management. • 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. • Work with affected industries on Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances/COMAH (Seveso III) Regulations • Assisting in emergency preparedness learning and development for staff and stakeholders both inside and outside of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service. • Assist development of Emergency Communications Strategies and Plans appropriate to need. • Climate change adaptation activities. COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST OF ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE OFFICER Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing and/or interview processes will be based primarily on the information provided by candidates in the application form:

MANAGEMENT AND CHANGE Safety, Health and Welfare at Work • Fully implements safe systems of working in accordance with the Corporate Safety Statement and relevant Ancillary Safety Statement for their area of work. • Implements and always adheres to safe systems of work and appropriate Health and Safety processes(including monitoring and compliance) in their area of work and ensures that their staff do likewise. • Fully participates in appropriate Safety, Health and Welfare training interventions and keeps personal Health and Safety training qualifications current at all times and ensures that their staff do likewise. • Responds immediately to any breaches of rules and regulations as well as any dangerous or potentially dangerous activities or practices.

Standards, Ethics and Governance • Ensures that ethical governance principles are embedded into the culture, practices and processes of all activities within designated area of responsibility • Understands and adheres to the Code of Conduct for employees and complies with all required rules, regulations and procedures. • Ensures that there is full understanding of and compliance with rules, regulations and procedures for employees within designated area of responsibility. • Understands, supports and embeds the principles of diversity. Networking and Representing • Develops and maintains positive and beneficial relationships with a range of stakeholders. • Builds networks of technical and professional contacts. • Promotes and sustains an appropriate, positive, and cohesive image for the organisation it represents.

Bringing about Change • Demonstrates flexibility and an openness to change. • Develops and initiates change management programmes to meet end objectives. Influences others and fosters commitment to change

DELIVERING RESULTS Problem Solving and Decision Making • Can pinpoint critical information and address issues logically. • Understands the context and impact of decisions made. Acts decisively and makes timely, informed and effective decisions. • Takes responsibility for decisions made and acts decisively with complex information and multiple stakeholders • Can evaluate current work practices to identify changes that could be made to help them run more efficiently.

Operational Planning • Contributes to operational plans and develops team plans in line with priorities and actions for their area of operations. Delegates, tracks and monitors activity. • Establishes high quality service and customer care standards.

Managing Resources • Manages the allocation, use and evaluation of resources to ensure they are used effectively to deliver on operational plans. Drives and promotes reduction in cost and minimisation of waste.

Ensuring Compliance • Abides by the laws, regulations and policies and procedures affecting employment and the discharge of duties. • Develop and implement quality assurance measures to achieve compliance with performance standards or benchmarks

Delivering Quality Outcomes • Promotes the achievement of quality outcomes in delivering services. • Organises the delivery of services to meet or exceed the required standard. Evaluates the outcomes achieved, identifies learning and implements improvements required

PERFORMANCE THROUGH PEOPLE Leading and Motivating •Motivates others individually and in teams to deliver high quality work and customer focused outcomes. • Leads by example in terms of commitment, flexibility and a strong customer service ethos.

Managing Performance • Effectively manages performance including underperformance or conflict. • Empowers and encourages people to deliver their part of the operational plan. • Delegates tasks and responsibilities to the appropriate levels and provides information, support and encouragement to enable work to be completed successfully

Managing Conflict • Effectively identifies and manages conflict and potential sources of conflict or employee dissatisfaction. • Relates well to others and maintains positive working relationships

Communicating Effectively • Recognises the value of communicating effectively with all employees and using language appropriate to an audience. Actively listens to others and has good interpersonal skills. Has highly effective verbal and written communication skills. • Communicates with credibility, conviction, composure and confidence in potentially stressful public situations or politically sensitive situations PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS Relevant Technical Knowledge and Expertise • Demonstrates technical knowledge and expertise commensurate with the role in one or more of the areas outlined in this booklet • Achieves a proficient level of knowledge, skills, understanding and training commensurate with the role. • Keeps up with current developments, trends and best practice in area of expertise and responsibility. • Has strong knowledge and understanding in relation to statutory obligations of Health and Safety legislation and its application in the workplace.

Resilience and Personal Well Being • Demonstrates appropriate and positive self-confidence. Remains calm under pressure and operates effectively in an environment with significant complexity and pace. • Values the wellbeing of self and others by managing stress levels and work-life balance.

Integrity • Is honest and trustworthy in all dealings. • Models and promotes appropriate social, ethical and employer standards in all interactions.

Personal Motivation, Initiative and Achievement • Is enthusiastic about the role and is motivated in the face of difficulties and obstacles. • Creates new opportunities and sets challenging standards to achieve high quality outcomes. • Demonstrates and encourages innovation and new thinking. Adaptive • Is flexible and positively disposed to change and progress and can develop skills and gain knowledge to take on new duties/responsibilities ESSENTIAL CRITERIA 1. Character Each candidate must 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, Training, Experience, etc. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: (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; ▪ Telecommunications and information technology. (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. Failure to input and upload proof of essential educational qualifications in your application form will deem you ineligible for this competition.

*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. 4. Age Each candidate must be under 70 years of age on the latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms for the office if they are deemed not to be new entrants to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. However, the age restriction of 70 years does not apply to "new entrants" to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. 5. 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 Salary: The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Starting pay for new entrants to the sector will be at the minimum of the scale. The current annual salary scale applicable to the post is €57,909 - €60,017 - €62,124 - €64,235 - €66,345 - €68,454 - €70,565 - €72,663 - €74,784 - €76,887 – LSI 1 €79,311 – LSI 2 €80,498 (October 2024)