Work with us
- Search and Rescue
- Maritime Casualty Response
- Pollution response
- Ensuring an efficient and effective search-and-rescue coordination and response service for all incidents occurring in the maritime domain, or as otherwise requested by authorities in other domains (aviation or inland).
- Proactively participating in the development of a roadmap to meet international obligations.
- Developing and maintaining 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 promoting safety standards.
I enjoy the fast-paced environment and the variety of the workload – no two incidents are the same. I love the feeling of knowing you have made a difference when helping others.
Careers with the Irish Coast Guard
These are the typical jobs that are available:
Watch Officer in the Marine Rescue Coordination Centres
The Watch Officer answers emergency calls and manages rescue operations. Their role is to plan and coordinate the response to emergencies at sea, on the coast, on cliffs, and on Ireland’s rivers, lakes and land areas. They also handle marine radio and communication traffic.
Health and Safety Officer
The Health and Safety Officers’ role is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses. They create and implement health and safety policies – for staff and volunteers – in line with the latest laws and international safety standards. The role also includes ensuring that all safety procedures are followed by management, staff and Coast Guard volunteers.
Operation and Training Officer
The role of Operations and Training Officer is a management post within the Irish Coast Guard. Responsibilities include on scene marine incident management, business planning and helping to set safety standards, training and supporting staff and volunteers.
Sector Officer
The Sector Officer role works closely with the volunteer Coast Guard Units, Coast Guard staff and other internal and external stakeholders. Sector Officers are assigned to specific Coast Guard Units and report to the Coastal Unit Sector Manager for their area. Their responsibilities include supporting the Coast Guard Units through managing equipment, inventory and logistical requirements and supporting the planned maintenance system.
Quality and Risk Management Officer
The Quality and Risk Management Officer works in the Safety and Compliance team. The role includes engaging with people across the organisation to ensure that the quality systems, procedures and safety standards are followed.
Engineering Section
The Engineering Section is responsible for managing, maintaining and improving the Coast Guard’s national telecommunications and technical infrastructure. This ensures that the Irish Coast Guard can respond quickly and effectively to emergencies at sea, along the coast and on inland waterways.
Functions Support Officer
The Function Support Officer involves supporting colleagues in delivering and developing key Coast Guard functions by helping with projects, contract management and visits to Coast Guard Units. It includes working with other Coast Guard sections while helping to develop search, cliff, boat and drone capabilities. The role supports managers and volunteers, helps coordinate training and administrative work.
Coastal Unit Sector Manager
The Coastal Unit Sector Managers have responsibility for regional volunteer Coast Guard Units. The role includes the management of HR, supervision, training, exercises, stores and equipment maintenance and control and health and safety inspection for specific Units. The work will involve contact with Marine Rescue Centres, Search and Rescue agencies and attendance at meetings at home and abroad. It will also entail a significant amount of out-of-office hour’s availability and attendance at evenings and weekends.
Careers at Department of Transport
For more information regarding careers in the Department of Transport, please see Careers at Department of Transport:
From Volunteer to Full-Time Coast Guard Officer!
Benefits of working with the Coast Guard
The Irish Coast Guard is a division of the Department of Transport. Working with the Department of Transport can provide you with a rewarding, fulfilling and varied career in a supportive, inclusive and positive working environment.
Inclusive Culture
We embrace a diverse workforce and value the unique skills that staff from all backgrounds bring to our team. Our work is guided by a strong public service ethos and core values of ambition, quality, collaboration and excellence.
Flexible Working Arrangements
We support a healthy work-life balance through blended working options and flexible hours. Staff can also avail of various leave schemes, including maternity, paternity, parental leave and the shorter working year scheme.
Pension Entitlements
New staff members are offered superannuation terms in line with current Civil Service standards. Most new entrants will join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.
Learning and Development
We are committed to your professional growth through yearly development plans and access to a wide range of training courses. The Department also supports relevant third-level education through fee advancement and paid study leave.
Variety of Roles
Our staff work in a wide range of areas, from essential administrative and service officer roles to specialist professional positions. This diversity offers a dynamic environment for those looking to make a positive difference in society.
Salary Increments
Employees are entitled to a tiered pay scale with annual increments based on satisfactory performance. Your specific pay scale will be determined by your grade and level of responsibility.
Paid Sick Leave Scheme
We provide a comprehensive paid sick leave scheme to support staff during periods of illness or injury. In exceptional cases of serious physical injury or critical illness, additional provisions may apply to ensure continued support.
Current Vacancies
The Irish Coast Guard offers a variety of rewarding career opportunities for those dedicated to maritime safety and public service.
We encourage you to visit this website to view current vacancies, review job descriptions and submit your application.
Please note that all our permanent roles are recruited exclusively through PublicJobs.ie, the centralised recruitment service for the Irish civil and public service.