Job Title: Engineer & Ship Surveyor
Employer: Department of Transport
County: Donegal
Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 28th August 2025
Starting Salary: €77,589
About the Employer:
The mission of the Department of Transport is to deliver an accessible, efficient, safe and sustainable Transport system that supports, communities, households and businesses. The Department has a central role to play in delivering on the Government’s ambition on Climate, Housing and Health, as well as other key Programme for Government commitments. The National Development Plan Review just announced has ensured that this work will be underpinned by €35 billion of capital funding over the coming decade. With this commitment to funding, it is essential that the policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks for the provision and operation of road transport services enable us to deliver on these ambitions and objectives while ensuring the highest standards of safety are maintained. The Department of Transport is seeking qualified Naval Architects to work in the Marine Survey Office (MSO).
The MSO, a division within the Department of Transport, serves as the regulatory authority for maritime transport safety. Its role is to ensure the implementation of national and international legislation relating to the safety of life at sea, maritime security, living and working conditions and the prevention of pollution of the marine environment from ship related sources.
About the Role:
Reporting to the Chief Surveyor, Deputy Chief Surveyors and/or Surveyors-in-Charge, Engineer & Ship Surveyors form part of a team whose main responsibilities include enhancing safety of life at sea, maritime security, living and working conditions of those at sea and preventing pollution of the marine environment.
Engineer & Ship Surveyors are engaged in the initial survey and inspection requirements of vessels and the renewal survey requirements for existing vessels such as the issue or renewal of statutory certificates and registration on the Irish Flag. They are also involved in inspections of Irish and foreign vessels of different types.
In addition, they are also involved with conducting audits in connection with the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (or International and Domestic Safety Management System), Maritime Labour Convention, International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and auditing of companies, and maritime colleges, etc.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Role
The principal duties and responsibilities of the role will include:
• Approving the plans and designs relating to all aspects of ship machinery, hull structure, and equipment and safety and security management systems and crew accommodation etc.
• Verifying the approval and the operational testing of life-saving appliances, fire extinguishing and detection equipment, electrical equipment, structural fire protection etc.
• Operational testing of various ship systems including propulsion, steering, anchoring, bilge, ballast, fire main, emergency electrical power, public address systems, etc.
• Certifying and verifying engine power;
• Involvement in surveys for the issue and renewal of statutory certificates such as Passenger, Safety Equipment, Fishing Vessel Safety, Safety Construction, Load Line, Safe Manning, Safety Management, Tonnage, Maritime Labour Convention etc.;
• Conducting inspections of:
- All vessel types including passenger boats, passenger vessels, fishing vessels, tugs, dredgers, barges and ensuring they are compliant;
- Foreign vessels in Irish ports per Port State Control;
- Ships and fuel suppliers in compliance with EU requirements for the maximum content of Sulphur in Marine Fuel;
- Ships and ports in compliance with EU port reception facilities requirements;
- Bulk terminals in compliance with EU Bulk Terminals Directive;
- Ships in relation to the requirements of the EU Ship Recycling Regulations;
- Ships in relation to the requirements in the EU for the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport and enforcement of European Union Emission Trading Scheme and emission reduction legislation applicable to shipping;
• Carrying out market surveillance and enforcing EU requirements for recreational craft and marine equipment;
• Inspecting and approving marine equipment manufacturing and servicing stations etc;
• Administering the examination system for engineer certificates of competency in the merchant marine, fishing fleets and recreational crafts and the approving ancillary courses etc;
• Conducting regulatory investigations into marine/shipping casualties and accidents, fires, explosions, etc and where necessary, initiate prosecutions;
• Enforcing maritime safety, security, living and working conditions, pollution prevention and mobility legislation;
• Attending meetings with key stakeholders in Ireland and abroad, EU, international, International Maritime Organization (IMO) and working closely with shipbuilding and repair yards and with various equipment manufacturers;
• Providing advice to the Minister of Transport and collaborating with colleagues in the Department of Transport and other Government Departments/organisations;
• Assisting with the Department’s programme for the development of new legislation etc;
• Dealing with issues arising in connection with the developing offshore renewable energy sector including provision of technical advice;
• Assisting with the development and implementation of the MSO’s Quality Management System;
• Overseeing emergency drills on Irish and foreign passenger vessels in relation to damage control, assembly of passengers and vessel evacuation, fire-fighting response, and use of life-saving appliances, etc;
• Overseeing and auditing recognised organisations and other entities carrying out delegated functions of the administration.
• Carrying out any other duties in relation to Ireland’s obligations under International, EU and national Maritime requirements.
About You:
Candidates must:
1. On or before 28th August 2025 currently hold or have previously held (in the past five years) a Certificate of Competency as Chief Engineer (Steam and/or Motor) STCW 1978, as amended, Reg III/2 for vessels of power in excess of 3,000 kW in the unlimited trading area, valid for service or eligible to be endorsed for service, on Irish flagged ships (Certificates must be issued without restrictions such as for high voltage)
2. Satisfactory Watchkeeping experience in a senior capacity, preferably on vessels of power in excess of 3,000 kW, operating in the unlimited trading area;
3. Satisfactory experience in ship operation, repair, maintenance and management;
4. Good general knowledge and understanding of the marine industry;
5. Strong knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems on board vessels;
6. Strong oral and written communication skills, including a good technical working knowledge of English;
7. The ability to write clear and concise reports and maintain accurate records;
8. Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with a proven ability to build, maintain and manage relationships with a large variety of stakeholders, at all levels, both internally and externally;
9. Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills;
10. The ability to be flexible, resilient and the capacity to adapt to a changing work environment; 11. The ability to work on own initiative and have a track record of delivery of results;
12. Strong organisational skills with the ability to deal with multiple demands and competing priorities to tight deadlines;
13. Good Information Technology (IT) skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications;
14. Commitment to Continuous Professional Development;
15. A current full driving licence (Category B), valid in Ireland and have access to a car;
16. On the date of appointment hold a clean unrestricted passport.
The Closing Date for this competition is Thursday, 28th of August at 3pm.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.
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