County Kerry was awarded 14 Blue Flags for the 2024 bathing season for beaches at Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs), Ballybunion North Beach, Ballybunion South Beach, Ballyheigue, Banna Strand, Doire Fhíonáin (Derrynane), Fenit, Fionntrá (Ventry), Inch, Kells, Maharabeg, Rossbeigh, and White Strand, Caherciveen. All Blue Flag beaches are fully lifeguarded at weekends from the first weekend in June and building to full cover throughout the official bathing season with over 40 lifeguards on duty.
Citizenship:
Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:
- a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA), or
The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
- a citizen of the United Kingdom (UK), or
- a citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons, or
- a non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa, or
- a person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa, or
- a non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa
- Candidates shall not be less than 17 years of age on the 1st June 2025.
- Candidates must on the latest date for receipt of applications, hold the National Beach Lifeguard Award from Water Safety Ireland, or equivalent as recognised by the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS)
- Candidates will be required to display a proficiency in resuscitation, swimming ability and rescue technique in oral and practical tests. All candidates will be required to undergo a practical test in Basic Life Support (BLS), swimming ability, lifesaving techniques and a theory test conducted by examiner(s) nominated by Water Safety Ireland.
Please note that details in relation to testing/examinations will be notified to all eligible candidates once finalised.
Appointments will be made in order of merit from the results of the tests and interview and successful candidates holding up-to-date certification related to the role of Beach Lifeguard as approved by Water Safety Ireland may be awarded additional marks.
- The official bathing season is from 01 June until 15 September each year and successful candidates will generally be required to be available for work for the entire season. Offers of employment and actual beach assignments may be subject to same.
- Remuneration is €692.08 per 41 hour week
- Working hours are 6 days per week (including Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays) from 11am to 7pm Monday – Friday, and 10am to 7pm on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.
- The employment is wholetime, temporary and pensionable and will continue for the 2025 Summer Season only.
- Successful candidates may be required to submit completed Garda Vetting Application Forms for submission to the Central Garda Vetting Unit. Candidates who will be under the age of 18 years on 1st June 2025 will also be required to furnish Kerry County Council with a completed Garda Vetting Parent/Guardian Consent Form.
- Successful candidates will be required to work at one of the following beaches:-
Ballinskelligs, Ballybunion, Ballyheigue, Banna, Maharees, Derrynane, Fenit, Inch, Kells, Rossbeigh, Ventry and White Strand, Caherciveen.
The assignment of candidates to the respective beaches and the transfer from one beach to another is a matter solely at the discretion of the Council.
- The successful candidates will be required to undertake duties as assigned to them by Kerry County Council’s nominated Water Safety Development Officer, such duties being consistent with the position of Beach Lifeguard.
Further information is available in the Candidate Information Booklet available on our website.