Chief Fire Officer

publicjobs; Munster; On-site; EUR 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government body is looking for a Chief Fire Officer responsible for managing Tipperary County Council's Fire and Emergency Services. The role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration with local authorities. Candidates should have a Level 8 degree in a relevant field, extensive experience in fire safety, and excellent management skills. The position offers a competitive salary starting at €91,851 and is crucial for ensuring effective emergency services.

Qualifications

• Good character and health for regular service.
• 8 years relevant experience in fire services.
• High competency in firefighting and emergency operations.

Responsibilities

• Manage fire and emergency services effectively.
• Prepare financial estimates for operations.
• Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

Character

Fire safety principles and practices

Emergency management

Strategic command of fire service operations

Communication technology

Education

Degree at Level 8 in engineering or architecture

Degree at Level 8 in a fire-related discipline

Level 9 qualification in fire-related discipline

Job description

Job title: Chief Fire Officer

Employer: Tipperary County Council

Location: Tipperary

Closing Date: 27th November, 2025

Salary: Starting at €91,851

About the Employer

The Local Government sector in Ireland is made up of 31 Local Authorities and 3 Regional Assemblies. Local Authorities are the closest and most accessible form of Government to citizens. They have responsibility for delivery of a wide range of services in their local area with a focus on making cities, towns and countryside attractive places to live, work and invest. These services generally include housing; planning; infrastructure; environmental protection; and the provision of recreation and amenities and community infrastructure. Local Authorities also play a key role in supporting economic development and enterprise at a local level.

About the Role

The Chief Fire Officer is a management role within the Local Authority, and the successful candidate will work under the direction and control of the Director of Services or another employee as designated by the Chief Executive.

The Chief Fire Officer works within defined parameters relevant to a management position at this grade and in accordance with the Local Authority’s vision and objectives. This role requires leadership, innovation, agility, and a commitment to customer service.

The Chief Fire Officer is responsible for the efficient management, direction and development of the planning and aligned functions of this Service on behalf of Tipperary County Council. The Chief Fire Officer is responsible for the management of a multi-disciplinary team and the efficient delivery of services in a dynamically changing environment where value for money is crucial.

The Chief Fire Officer is required to work closely with the Management Team and Elected Members to deliver strategic corporate objectives, lead on policy implementation and actively participate in the Councils multi-disciplinary approach to Climate Action.

The Chief Fire Officer position will hold responsibility for the management and administration of Tipperary County Council’s Fire and Emergency Service Department, including Major Emergency Planning and Civil Defence. The duties will also include responsibility for strategic planning and the implementation of any associated change requirements throughout the Fire and Emergency Services. The Chief Fire Officer may also be assigned responsibility for the management of any other relevant function(s) at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Fire Officer will be expected to prepare budgetary estimates for their area of operation and to work within allocated finances to the best overall effect. They must have the ability to work across section teams and interact with other area/teams and with Chief Fire Officers in adjacent local authority areas. The post holder will also be required to have contact with property owners/organisations, Government Departments, the public, media, courts, etc. as required, as well as interaction with elected members and liaising with staff/union representatives.

The duties and responsibilities attached to the post of Chief Fire Officer may vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibility. The Chief Fire Officer may be required to perform duties appropriate to the post and grade, other than those detailed above and to take instructions from and report to a Director of Services or another employee as designated by the Chief Executive.

About You

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for Chief Fire 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 that 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, in the National Framework of Qualification:

• (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,
• (iii) a degree at level 8 in 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
• (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 all of the following:

• principles and practices of fire safety
• fire services operations
• major emergency management
• technological and industrial processes
• telecommunications and information technology

(c) Have at least eight years satisfactory relevant experience, including adequate experience in the areas specified at (b) above and (e) below.

(d) Have a high standard of training and competency in the areas specified in (b) above, including:

• firefighting and emergency operations techniques and strategic command of fire service operations
• on-site and off-site coordination at fires and major incidents/major emergencies
• building design and management for fire safety

(e) Have adequate experience in administration, service management and management of staff;

(f) Be competent to perform efficiently the duties of the office and possess the appropriate qualities.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday, 27th November, 2025.

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.