Retained Part-Time Firefighter Panel - Kilkee Fire Station

Clarecoco; Ireland; Sur place; EUR 28 000 - 42 000; Temps partiel

Résumé du poste

Clare County Council invites applications for the Retained Part-time Firefighter panel at Kilkee Fire Station. Firefighters may be required to attend fires and other emergencies, drills, displays and related duties on a rostered basis.

Candidates must meet the education, character and driving licence requirements, be medically fit, and consent to Garda Vetting. The role offers a structured pay framework, on-call hours, and training opportunities.

Qualifications

• Education must enable satisfactory performance and training as a Firefighter.
• Good character; references and Garda Vetting as required.
• Age 18+ on first application day; birth certificate proof.
• Valid full Category B driving licence; ideally Category C for HGV.
• Health adequate for regular and efficient service.

Responsabilités

• Attend fires and other emergencies and respond to calls as required.
• Fulfill duties to save lives and property; comply with crew rules.
• Adhere to Crew Management Arrangements for Retained Firefighters.
• Keep fire station clean and equipment maintained.
• Attend training courses and perform assigned duties, including driving.

Connaissances

Good character

Teamwork

Formation

Satisfactory level of education

Outils

Driving Licence B

Driving Licence C (HGV)

Description du poste

Retained Part-Time Firefighter Panel - Kilkee Fire Station

Reference ID

304

Closing Date for Application

12:00 PM on 27/10/2026

General Information

Clare County Council/ Comhairle Contae an Chláir is the authority responsible for Local Government in County Clare. The corporate headquarters are located at Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis and there are four Municipal Districts (Ennis, Shannon, Killaloe, and West Clare) which are supported through area offices in Ennis, Scarriff, Shannon, Ennistymon and Kilrush. There are 28 elected members, approximately 990 staff and an annual operating budget of €204 million in 2026.

Clare County Council provides a diverse range of services across a large geographic area. Key services areas include Planning, Placemaking & Economic Development, Rural & Community Development, Housing Services, Housing Activation & Delivery, Capital Infrastructure Delivery, Land Activation, Derelict Sites and Property, Transportation, Mobility and Health & Safety, Climate Action, Environment & Water Services, Fire Service, Building Control & Major Emergency Management, Tourism, Festivals & Events, Libraries, Arts & Cultural Services, Enterprise and Investment, along with Sports & Amenities. These operations are supported by internal services which include ICT & Digital Services, Corporate Services & Governance, Finance, People, Culture and Organisational Development functions.

There is a diverse demographic across urban and rural communities with tourism bringing seasonal changes in population and activity in the county. The Shannon estuary, Shannon Airport, industrial zones, and geographic location between larger urban areas, coupled with the unique landscape and heritage add to the diversity of activity in the County. Local democracy is strengthened through the Municipal Districts and changes in legislation and regulation have placed greater emphasis on the role of the Local Authority in driving economic activity, ensuring accountability, accessibility and innovation while placing the customer and the community to the fore of service delivery.

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 Retained Part-time Firefighter - Kilkee Fire Station 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

Retained Part-time Firefighter

Clare County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons, whowish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which vacancies for Retained Fire-Fighters may be filled throughout the lifetime of the panel.

Duties

• A Firefighter shall be required to attend at fires and other emergencies, drills, displays and other duties at such times and for such periods as required by the County Council. Failure to respond promptly to fire or other emergency calls will be addressed through the Local Authority’s disciplinary procedure.
• Each Firefighter who attends for Fire Brigade service must be prepared to accept the work entailed and to fulfil to the best of their ability their duty as a Firefighter in the saving of life, saving of property and the fighting of fires or other such emergencies.
• Every Firefighter must comply with Clare County Council’s Crew Management Arrangements for Retained Firefighters. Firefighters who are on standby during fires or other incidents shall remain at the Station and perform such duties as may be assigned by the Station Officer from time to time during the callout.
• Firefighters shall ensure that the Fire Station is kept clean & tidy at all times. Firefighting equipment shall be kept clean, maintained properly and stowed away in a safe manner.
• Firefighters are required to adhere to and co-operate with all National and Local Agreements pertaining to the Fire Services.
• Firefighters will be required to attend Training Courses as directed.
• Firefighters must undertake driving duties as required.
• Comply with all organisational policies, procedures and legislation.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Qualifications for the post

EDUCATION:

Firefighters must have attained a satisfactory level of education to enable them to perform satisfactorily as a Firefighter and to successfully undergo the appropriate training.

CHARACTER:

A Firefighter must be of good characterand shall not at any time bring the County Council into disrepute. Employment will be subject to the provision of satisfactory references and Garda Vetting.

AGE:

A Firefighter must be not less than 18 years on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving application forms occurs. A birth certificate must be submitted to the County Council as proof of age before a person is engaged as a recruit.

DRIVING LICENCE:

A recruit Firefighter shall possess a valid full current Category B Driving Licence at the time of applying for the post and ideally a Category C Driving Licence for HGV with up to eight passengers.

All newly appointed Retained Firefighters will be required to obtain a Category C Driving Licence. Firefighters will co-operate with further Driver Training and will be required to drive fire service vehicles, if operationally needed.

If a Firefighter has their licence suspended or removed for any reason, they must immediately inform the County Council, and it shall be dealt with through the Council’s disciplinary procedure and may result in termination of service at the absolute discretion of the County Council.

HEALTH:

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

Before recruitment, in order to ascertain the health of a candidate, successful applicants shall undergo such medical examinations (which may include x-ray and/or other special tests) as the County Council considers necessary. The County Council will nominate the medical examiners. The candidate must comply, at their own expense, with such remedial requirements as the County Council consider necessary.

An Operational Firefighter shall: -

• Agree to participate in the Occupational Health Scheme for Retained Firefighters in operation by Clare County Council; and
• At any time, if requested by the County Council, undergo such medical examination(s) by medical examiner(s) as nominated by the County Council; and
• Attend medical examinations in accordance with the frequency set down in the Occupational Health Scheme for Retained Firefighters as issued by the (LGMA) to Local Authorities

Any defects discovered pertaining to a medical examination will not be remedied at the County Council's expense.

Retention as an operational Firefighter will depend upon receipt of satisfactory reports by medical examiner(s) and to the general condition above as to health.

An operational Firefighter is required to maintain an appropriate level of physical fitness.

RESIDENCE:

Persons appointed must live and work within a maximum of 5 minutes travel time (based on GPS navigation planner e.g. Google maps or similar as determined by Clare County Council) to allow them to respond for the duration of their employment as a Firefighter. The Council retains the right to request further evidence, if required on the information supplied, for the purpose of verification of place of residence and location of employment.

A Firefighter shall notify the County Council in writing of any subsequent changes of residence or place of employment. A change of residence or place of employment that would place the Firefighter outside these limits will mean automatic termination of employment. The Council will check this prior to appointment and at periodic intervals after appointment.

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.

Retained Firefighter:

A Firefighter shall be paid at the appropriate approved national rates of Fire and Drill Fees and Retainer Fees and in accordance with any national agreements for retained Firefighters.

Payment of fees will be made fortnightly.

Retained Fire Service – Fire Fighter - Rates Applicable at 1st June 2026

Retained Firefighter:

A Firefighter shall be paid at the appropriate approved national rates of Fire and Drill Fees and Retainer Fees and in accordance with any national agreements for retained Firefighters.

Retained Fire Service – Fire Fighter - Rates Applicable at 1st June 2026

RETAINER ALLOWANCE

Service

Duration

0-1 year

1 Year

2-4 Years

3 Years

5-7 Years

3 Years

8+ Years

Fire

Day*

* Day is 08:00 – 20:00 every weekday excluding Bank Holidays

Other Attendances

Training Courses

€ 26.30 per hour

Community Fire Safety Annual Payment

Fixed payment of €40.46 per fortnight

Community Fire Safety Additional Hours (discretionary)

€ 26.30 per hour

Other Attendances / Special Works – all other hours authorised by the Line Manager

€ 26.30 per hour

The above rates are subject to review on an ongoing basis.

The terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 shall apply.

A Firefighter’s annual leave entitlement will be calculated in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and S.I. 473 of 2001 Regulations. A Firefighter is entitled to a maximum of 4 working weeks i.e. 28 days. Payment for annual leave will be 8% of earnings inclusive of community fire safety, station duties, drill hours, training hours and calls in previous 52 weeks.

A Firefighter will be required to comply with the terms of the Crew Management Arrangements for Retained Firefighters as operated by Clare County Council. In cases of Annual Leave, advance notice must be given to the Station Officer or in their absence, to the Sub-Officer in advance of the first day of Annual Leave. Approval of annual leave will be subject to minimum crewing levels being maintained at station level. Each Firefighter must use their leave sheet or other means to record such annual leave absences.

Working Hours

ATTENDANCE AT DRILLS AND INCIDENTS:

There is an obligation on Firefighters to attend at alert/fire calls and at drills. This is the basis on which a retainer is paid. The onus on arranging to receive an alert/fire call shall rest with the Firefighter.

Drills

Notwithstanding any other disciplinary action that the County Council may apply, failure to attend or participate in 85% of all drills in any quarter of a year, without good reason, will be addressed through the Local Authority’s disciplinary procedure.

In the case of an alert/fire call the Firefighter shall attend all calls within their Rostered-On duty Period (24 Weeks per annum). Firefighters who attend calls will be remunerated as per the Crew Management Arrangements for Retained Firefighters as operated by Clare County Council.

Where the Chief Fire Officer considers that a Firefighter is not fulfilling the above attendance standards which they consider reasonable in all the circumstances, the Chief Fire Officer will consider the matter of attendance under the Council’s disciplinary policy. Subsequent continuing failure to meet the above attendance standards, without good reason, shall be dealt with through the disciplinary procedure, and may result in termination of service at the absolute discretion of the County Council.

Other Relevant Information

RETIREMENT

A retained firefighter shall retire upon attaining the age of 55 years (minimum retirement age).

Where they wish to serve beyond that age, and the employing fire authority is satisfied that the retained firefighter is declared medically fit to do so, having undergone the appropriate annual medical assessment, the retained firefighter may continue to serve upon attaining age 55, but not beyond attaining the age of 62 years (62nd birthday).

Where a retained firefighter is declared not to be medically fit to continue to serve as a firefighter, they shall retire. Retained firefighters are therefore required to make an application for an extension to be made to their existing contract of employment, three months in advance of their next birthday, in each year an extension sought

OTHER EMPLOYMENT

Written evidence must be provided from the employer as to availability prior to appointment, and the County Council in its sole discretion, shall decide as to whether the availability as so provided is acceptable. If the Firefighter's primary employer subsequently changes their conditions of employment and does not allow the Firefighter to attend fire calls / drills during working hours, employment will be terminated. Self-employed must also provide written evidence as to availability prior to appointment. Such written evidence must cover a candidate's availability for initial training and for fire and other calls, drills, training and such other duties which the Firefighter may be required by the County Council to perform

GARDA VETTING

The successful candidate will be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures in line with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 as appropriate (or any subsequent amendments to the legislation mentioned) in advance of appointment and on a periodic basis thereafter for the duration of their employment

PROBATION

Before appointment as a Firefighter, a recruit shall attend and successfully complete the three-week Firefighter Skills Training Course.

Recruit Firefighters will be required to undergo and successfully complete the following recruit training programmes during their probationary period:

• (a) A three-week Recruit Firefighting Skills Course (including manual handling);
• (b) A two-week Breathing Apparatus Initial Wearers' Course;
• (c) A one-week Breathing Apparatus Compartment Fire Behaviour Course; and
• (d) Any other course that the County Council may consider necessary.

Training Fees will be paid at the current hourly rate for Firefighters during training. This hourly rate is currently €25.52.

Failure to successfully complete all of the above courses will result in the termination of the Firefighter’s employment. Some or all of the above courses will be held at a training facility, which may or may not be situated locally.

From the date of commencement as a recruit Firefighter, there shall be a period of 12 months during which the recruit Firefighter shall be on probation. During this time the recruit Firefighter shall be continually assessed to determine his/her suitability for continued employment. Such period of 12 months may be extended at the absolute discretion of the County Council. The recruit shall not become a permanent Firefighter at the end of the period of probation unless the County Council is satisfied that the Firefighter has been satisfactory in all respects.

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post. In addition, there are many opportunities for further professional and personal development.

A Firefighter will be required to comply with the requirements of the Clare County Council’s Fire Service Training Policy, Annual Training Programme and Drill Night Programme.

A Firefighter shall attend and participate in drills and shall undergo from time to time, courses and further training as required or deemed appropriate by the County Council. The County Council shall decide the location(s) of the training. Adequate advance notice shall be given to Firefighters. This training may include on-going assessments as deemed appropriate. Attendance at drills and training will be required whether the firefighter is rostered on or off, unless on approved leave.

A Firefighter shall be expected to acquire a level of training and knowledge as to enable them to interchange with and act as substitute for all personnel at operational level in the fire service of the County Council.

Training Fees will be paid at the current hourly rate for Firefighters during training. This hourly rate is currently €25.52.

Safety Health & Welfare:

Clare County Council acknowledges its role in protecting the safety, health and welfare of its Firefighters. The County Council is committed to implementing and maintaining a programme that ensures, where possible, that all risks and hazards are eliminated or controlled to an acceptable level. The County Council will implement safe systems of work and methods to protect the safety, health and welfare of its Firefighters.

A firefighter shall comply with Section 13 of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and shall familiarise themselves and cooperate with the terms of Clare County Council’s safety management system

ABSENCES:

A Firefighter will be required to comply with the terms of the Crew Management Arrangements for Retained Firefighters as operated by Clare County Council.

SICK LEAVE

If absent on sick leave, the Firefighter must immediately inform their Station Officer or Sub Officer. Where a Firefighter is absent due to sickness, they shall submit a sick leave certificate to the Council from a medical doctor. The medical certificate must be signed and state the medical practitioner’s Medical Council registration number, and fitness for work as a Firefighter or otherwise. In general, medical certificates are required to be submitted on a weekly basis in cases of absences extending beyond one week. Depending on the nature of the absence, a medical certificate of fitness and/or independent medical review may be required prior to a Firefighter resuming operational duties following a period of sick leave absence, having regard to the nature of the illness/injury and/or length of absence at the absolute discretion of the County Council.

A Return to Work Form must be completed with the Line Manager when a Firefighter returns to work after any period of sick leave.

Arrangements for payment during sick leave will be made in accordance with the relevant Public Service Sick Leave Scheme in place, which may be reviewed from time to time.

CLOTHING / EQUIPMENT:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) relevant to the role of the Firefighter shall be issued and replaced in accordance with the Clare County Council’s Fire Service PPE Policy. Each Firefighter on appointment shall be issued with appropriate clothing and equipment. While on duty a Firefighter shall use the clothing and personal equipment provided by the Council and same should be left in the fire station immediately after cessation of duty.

The above PPE and equipment shall be stored in the Fire Station and the Firefighter shall respond to the Fire Station to change into their fire kit. Each Firefighter shall be responsible for their issue of clothing etc., and items lost or damaged due to the Firefighter's fault, shall be replaced at the Firefighter's expense, by deduction of the cost from fees etc. due to them.

Each Firefighter on appointment shall also be issued with an alerter by the Council. The Firefighter shall carry the alerter at all times when on duty and shall not give it to any other person. They must maintain the alerter in good working condition and shall report any defects to the Station Officer / Sub Officer.

The alerter is the responsibility of each Firefighter. The cost of repair of any damage to or replacement cost in the event of the loss of the alerter will be borne by the Firefighter.

A Firefighter shall return to the Council on request, and in any event upon the termination of employment, all property and equipment belonging to the Council which are in their possession or under their control.

PUBLIC SERVICE PENSION SCHEME

Membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all new entrant Retained Firefighters who commence employment on or after 1 January 2013. The provisions of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will apply in the case of Retained Firefighters, with the exception of minimum pension age, as an earlier pension age is applicable to those employed in the retained fire service. Circular letters S. 6/2013 and S. 6/2013 (amended) apply

CONFIDENTIALITY:

A Firefighter shall not discuss or disclose any information of a confidential or sensitive nature relating to Clare County Council or its business or in respect of which the Council owes an obligation of confidence, to any person during or after employment, except in the proper course of your employment or as required by law.

Firefighters should comply with the Clare County Council’s Media and Social Media Policies.

DATA PROTECTION

A Firefighter will be required to abide by the provisions of the Data Protection Acts 1988, 2003 & 2018 and EU Regulation 2016/679 and any regulations made thereunder or amending or superseding legislation in respect of computerised or manual records. A Firefighter must obtain the consent of the Data Controller before processing any such records

COUNCIL RECORDS

A Firefighter shall not remove any records belonging to the Council from the Council’s premises or equipment at any time without proper advance authorisation.

A Firefighter shall return to the Council upon request and in any event, upon termination of employment, all records belonging to the Council in their possession or under their control.

USE OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

A Firefighter is obliged to fully comply with the Clare County Council’s policy governing the use of all telecommunications and electronic equipment. A Firefighter must cooperate with the introduction and use of electronic and communications equipment where provided by the County Council.

EQUALITY:

Clare County Council is committed to a policy of equality of opportunity in its employment practices and has a positive action programme in place to realise this policy. Clare County Council is also committed, through its ‘Dignity at Work’ policy to the maintenance of a working environment free from all forms of harassment including sexual harassment and harassment on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the traveller community.

CODE OF CONDUCT / ETHICS:

A Firefighter is expected to abide by staff rules and code of conduct / ethics for employees as laid down by Clare County Council and as amended from time to time. A copy of the Code of Conduct / Ethics will be provided to personnel and they will be required to submit an acknowledgment confirming receipt of same and complete and return as appropriate.

POLICES AND PROCEDURES

Firefighters will be required to subscribe to and cooperate with all policies and procedures in place in the Clare County Council. These include but are not limited to:

• Code of Conduct for Employees
• Attendance Management Policy & Sick Leave scheme
• Crew Management Arrangements for Retained Firefighters
• Grievance
• Confidentiality
• Information Communications & Acceptable Usage Policy and Social Media Policy
• Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy
• Dignity at work

ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Clare County Council is committed to providing an efficient public service. The Councils’ commitment to providing an efficient public service also extends to caring for the global environment. As part of our environmental strategy, this organisation is committed to efficient energy management and will practice energy efficiencies throughout our premises, plant and equipment, wherever it is cost effective to do so. All employees of Clare County Council are required to note this commitment to energy management and to support this commitment through their normalday-to-day duties.

GRIEVANCE AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

A Firefighter will be required to subscribe to the Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure in operation in Clare County Council’s Fire Service.

TERMINATION:

Clare County Council reserves the right to terminate your employment if you are unable to perform the work for which you are employed, as a result of incapacity, incompetence or misconduct. In the event of such a termination, the Council undertakes to give you one months’ notice, or at the discretion of the Chief Executive pay in lieu of notice. No notice will be given in circumstances justifying immediate termination of your employment.

The appropriate period of notice set down in the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973 – 1991 will apply.

If for whatever reason, a Firefighter wishes to terminate their employment with the Fire Service, they are required to give one months’ notice in writing.

Nothing in this agreement will prevent the giving of a lesser period of notice by either party where it is mutually agreed.

STAFF REPRESENTATION

Clare County Council recognises the trade union SIPTU as having negotiating rights for Firefighters. Firefighters are bound by agreements made on their behalf through the industrial relations process

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

• A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway; or
• A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
• A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
• 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
• 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
• 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.
• Water or waste water emergencies:
  Contact Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278
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