Job Title:
Watch Officer in the Irish Coast Guard
Employer:
Department of Transport
County:
Kerry
Closing Date:
3pm, Thursday, 25th September 2025
Starting Salary:
€38,250
About the Employer:
The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is a Division within the Department of Transport and a principal emergency service. It's mission is to deliver a world class Search and Rescue (SAR), maritime casualty, and pollution response service with the following organisational goals:
• Ensure an efficient and effective Search and Rescue, maritime casualty, and pollution response coordination and response service for all incidents occurring in the maritime domain, or as otherwise requested by SAR authorities in other domains (national and international).
• Develop and maintain enhanced relationships across government (national, regional, local), with the wider community and with industry, to ensure efficient coordination in major incident readiness and response, and promotion of safety standards.
The IRCG now requires suitably qualified, committed individuals to join the organisation as Watch Officers at its Marine Rescue Coordination Centres in Dublin, Kerry and Donegal.
About the Role:
The Watch Officer (WO) on shift duty at Marine Rescue Coordination Centres (RCCs) in the Irish Coast Guard, is responsible for watch-keeping on the emergency frequencies and is required to act as Marine Alert, Notification and / or SAR Mission Coordination (SMC) Officer. SMC duties include planning and coordination of response to emergencies at sea, on the coast, cliffs, inland waters and terrain of Ireland. The WO is required to process marine communication traffic.
Duties include, responding to ship casualty and pollution incidents, vessel traffic monitoring, monitoring of Volunteer Coast Guard Unit activities, coordinating Coast Guard aviation operations (Helicopter and Fixed Wing), tasking and coordination of SAR Units, coordination of service delivery to other State organisations including Principal Response Agencies, and stakeholder liaison.
Main Duties and Responsibilities of the Role
The main duties and responsibilities include:
• Marine Emergency Service Coordinator;
• The provision of communications services necessary in marine emergency operations in the areas around Ireland;
• The provision of safety and other maritime communications services for vessels at sea and on inland waterways, rivers and lakes;
• The provision of communication services for international shipping;
• The broadcasting, at specified times, of information concerning navigation hazards, weather alerts and general weather information;
• Operation of a marine communications services system and general Coast Radio Station procedures;
• Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information Services.
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.
Please be advised:
This is a uniformed position, and Watch Officers are required to wear their uniform in a presentable manner and maintain a smart and neat appearance, as determined by Coast Guard Management.
About You:
Candidates must have on or before 25th September 2025:
1. (a) A current Deck Officer / Watch keeping Certificate as per the categories outlined in Table 1 Appendix 1-page 8.
or 1. (b) A current Watch-Keeping Certificate outlined in Table 2 Appendix 1-page 8.
or 1. (c) A minimum of five years relevant professional experience in maritime communications and operations, onboard ship, SAR Aircraft (pilot or aircrew) or ashore (including MRCC SAR Coordination or Coast Radio Station experience).
In addition, all candidates must have the following:
1. (a) A minimum of two years' experience in a practical seagoing capacity while holding a recognised maritime or other relevant professional qualification.
or (b) A minimum of two years SAR experience as Boat Coxswain or Aircraft crew as part of a declared SAR resource while holding a recognised maritime or other relevant professional qualification.
1. A current GMDSS Certificate.
2. Knowledge of the Coast Guard, maritime Search and Rescue organisations in Ireland, the framework of maritime legislation, the Irish National SAR Plan and the National Oil Spill & Hazardous Noxious Substance (HNS) Contingency plan.
3. Knowledge of International Aeronautical & Maritime Search & Rescue Manuals (IAMSAR) and maritime communications publications.
4. Good Information Technology (IT) skills including a proficiency in MS Office applications.
5. Knowledge of dangerous or pollutant cargoes.
6. A good knowledge and appreciation of the maritime industry.
7. Good interpersonal skills and strong focus on meeting customer and service needs.
8. Sound judgement, personal discipline, initiative, drive and energy, and decision making skills. 11. The ability to work under pressure including the ability to be resilient and to cope with the sometimes distressing or difficult environments of marine or inland emergency incidents.
9. Ability to achieve results as part of a team and work effectively with others.
10. Good oral and written communication skills including the ability to speak English clearly without impediment.
11. Experience in leading and managing teams in an operational environment.
12. Adaptability, ability to collaborate with other maritime agencies, ability to motivate and support others in the team.
13. The ability to interact confidently in a multinational, multicultural environment.
The Closing Date for this competition is Thursday, 25th of September at 3pm.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.