Employer: Office of Public Works
Location: Dublin, Meath, Sligo
Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 26 March 2026
Salary: Starting at €39,974
About the Employer
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is a key service provider to the Government managing the Government’s estate portfolio, maintaining and presenting Ireland’s built heritage and managing Ireland’s flood risk.
Some of the most recognisable properties in the country are held by the OPW, having one of the largest and most diverse property portfolios, ranging from important buildings such as Dublin Castle to Garda stations and Government offices.
A focus of the OPW is to get value for money while providing accommodation that meets the operational needs of Government managing over 2,000 buildings spread over 1,700 properties throughout the country. Estate Management is the division within the OPW with this responsibility.
Property Maintenance Services
Property Maintenance Services, a business unit within the Estate Management Division is responsible for the maintenance and restoration of the OPW property portfolio. The business unit comprises of the following areas: Building Maintenance Unit (BMU), Property Maintenance Administration, Furniture Division, Fire & Security Section, Health & Safety Services, eight Regional and ten District offices which are located nationwide.
Property Maintenance Services respond to maintenance requests for State owned and leased property from all Government Departments and State Agencies. Their work also includes undertaking capital works for the Gardaí and other Government Departments, office fit-outs, upgrades and refurbishments. These maintenance works and capital works are funded through OPW Vote or by the relevant Government Department or State agency on a pre‑funding basis.
Fire & Security Section
The Fire & Security Section operates as “In‑House” consultancy for both Fire Safety and Security aspects of OPW Estate Management. The Section provides the following services:
Specialist advice for the preparation of Fire Safety Certificates and Fire Safety Strategies for buildings housing Government bodies including Premises exempted under Section 9 of the Planning Regulations (e.g. Premises occupied by An Garda Síochána, Department of Justice Home Affairs and Migration, Department of the Taoiseach, Aras an Uachtaráin, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade etc.);
Specialist advice for ongoing fire safety reviews of existing state property;
Technical assistance to OPW Property Maintenance, OPW Property Management, OPW Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Services, Intermediate Projects, Major Projects and Heritage Services, National Historic Properties and National Monuments;
Specialist Security Design, tender and supervision of systems installation and physical security for particular residences;
Evaluation of buildings where new leases are to be taken or in existing stock where leases are being renewed or released.
The Fire & Security Section also review technical and legal developments in the field of Fire and Security to inform OPW specifications.
About the Role
The role of the Fire Safety Engineer has become more prominent in recent years due to high profile fire incidents that have occurred both nationally and internationally (e.g. Clarion Quay, Grenfell Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Charles Rennie Mackintosh Building, Glasgow School of Art). The OPW has a need to supplement the expertise in this area due to the significant portfolio of owned and leased buildings.
There is an expanding requirement for comprehensive services in the areas of:
Property Protection - National Cultural Institutions & Heritage Buildings
Fire safety and protection of historic fabric of National Historic Properties
Fire Safety Assessments in existing properties
Support of Estate Management
Archival Storage
Engineers Grade III (Fire & Security) typically report to an Engineer Grade II. They work with supporting staff such as Architects, Architectural Assistants, Engineering Technicians and Draughtspersons. They also liaise with and advise operational staff including contractors.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The key duties and responsibilities of the role may include the following:
Preparing Fire Safety reports and/or designs as required;
Providing a Fire safety design and supervision service in conjunction with multidisciplinary design teams;
Providing technical support during contracts to both OPW professionals and external consultants;
Carrying out Fire Safety Assessments of existing building within the OPW Property Portfolio;
Examining and evaluating Fire Safety compliance documentation submitted by Consultants and/or In‑House professionals pertaining to Buildings which are exempted from the requirement to apply for a Fire Safety Certificate under Part 9 Planning;
Carrying out site inspections during construction period; ensuring compliance with the requirements of Part B of the Building Regulations and the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations;
Liaising with design teams about Fire Safety Management Documentation such as Fire Register and Fire Safety Manual.
Please note: The above is a general guide to the key duties and responsibilities of the role and is not an exhaustive description. Other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the role may be assigned from time to time.
A full list of essential requirements is available in the Information Booklet.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday, 26 March 2026.
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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