Closing Date
3pm, Thursday, 28th May 2026
About the Employer
County Kildare is located in the mid-east region of Ireland in the province of Leinster and is one of twelve Local Authorities comprising the Eastern and Midlands Region. It has a population of 247,774 (2022 Census) which is one of the fastest growing counties in Ireland over the past 20 years at a rate of 11% in comparison to the national growth rate of 8%. The principal towns are Naas, Newbridge, Celbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth, Athy, Kildare, Clane, Kilcock, Sallins and Monasterevin.
Strategically, the future planning and economic development of the county is guided and informed by the Eastern Midlands Regional Assembly’s Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES). The towns of Maynooth, Leixlip, Celbridge and Kilcock are located within the Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) area.
Census figures show that Kildare is one of the fastest growing and youngest population centers in the country; with the highest proportion of people aged 0-24 in the state Population growth combined with proximity to Dublin, accessibility via the M4, M7 & M9 Motorways, in addition three national rail lines, is driving demand for housing, commercial, industrial developments in addition to the necessary social and community infrastructure required to support the existing and growing communities. The north and western part of the county is comprised of significant peatland areas associated with the Bog of Allen, and as Bord Na Mona prepares to cease peat extraction, there are new opportunities and challenges for diversification. The County canal and river systems provide unique opportunities for the development of both greenways and blueways, and the Council is engaged in the development of long-distance routes along the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and the development of the Barrow Blueway.
About the Role
The Chief Fire Officer’s primary function is to manage the County Council’s Fire Service. They will manage and administer an efficient and effective Fire Service in accordance with the Fire Service Acts and associated legislation applicable to the Fire Service. They will hold responsibility for the management and administration of Kildare County Council’s Fire and Emergency Service, including the Major Emergency Plan. The CFO’s duties will also include responsibility for strategic planning and the implementation of any associated change requirements throughout the Fire and Emergency Services. They may also be assigned responsibility for the management of any other relevant function(s) at the discretion of the Chief Executive.
About You
The ideal candidate shall have the following skills and experience:
Possess a current unendorsed full driving licence (Category B) and/or have access to a vehicle as they may be required to travel in the course of their duties.
The management and supervision of staff and to ensure the training and development of such staff.
Building effective teams, developing motivation and commitment and maintaining sound employee relations and morale as relevant, in accordance with good employment practice and relevant legislation.
Deputising for Director of Service as required.
Implementing the systems necessary and co-ordinating the resources to support the service. This includes systems to manage finance, budgets and ensure value for money as well as to provide information on the pattern of demand and activity and to schedule work programmes.
The preparation of reports for submission to statutory agencies and other bodies where required.
Deputising new work programmes, strategic planning and successfully implementing change in the workplace.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.
#J-18808-Ljbffr