The duties shall be such as may be assigned to the officer by the Local Authority and shall undertake the duty of deputising for other employees of a higher grade as required.  An Assistant Chief Officer must undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required, or assigned, from time to time.
A non-exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities are set out below:
       Remediation of Defects in Apartments and Duplexes may include:

• Form part of a newly established team to assess applications under the Remediation of Defects in Apartments and Duplexes Scheme.
• Carry out Fire Authority functions associated with the Remediation of Defects and support the Council’s effective implementation of the Interim Remediation Scheme for Fire Safety Defects in Eligible Apartments and Duplexes.
• Create and develop operating procedures that ensure that acceptable levels of fire safety in buildings are provided, pending completion of the full remedial works on developments within the scheme.
• Assess all applications included in the scheme which are in County Westmeath in line with the Code of Practice for Remediation of Fire Safety Defects.
• Liaise with the Housing Agency, property owners and management companies, competent professionals and other teams in the Council, as appropriate, in the implementation of the scheme.
• Responsibility for Pre-fire Planning in relation to licenses, planning permissions, building enforcement, fire cert etc.
• Assisting in fire service response and participation in legal or other processes established to deal with building defects pertaining to fire safety.

• Processing of fire safety certificate applications and use of Building Control Management System/BCMS to assist this process as directed by the Chief Fire Officer
• Carrying out of inspections under the Fire Services Acts, Building Control Act, and other relevant legislation (this may include the carrying out of during performance inspections as required), and using professional judgement to assist in resolving fire safety deficiencies for the safety of patrons within buildings.
• Carrying out inspections, risk assessments & Issuing Licences under the Dangerous Substances Act, 1972 & Subsequent Regulations.
• Delivering enforcement functions as an authorised officer under relevant legislation and representing the Local Authority appropriately in such activities, including within the Courts Service (and giving evidence in court, where required).
• Represent the Fire Authority in dealing with licence applications and before the Courts and providing professional expert opinion to the Courts if required.
• Special projects and work required to deliver on locally delivered objectives of national schemes and policies in the area of Operations, Building Control, Fire Prevention/ Community Fire Safety development/remediation & MEM.
• Educating the community on fire safety through Community Fire Safety campaigns.
• Development and promotion of Community Fire Safety initiatives
• Delivery of effective fire safety prevention functions to include Licensing under Fire Services and Dangerous Substances Acts, attendance at courts, Inspections and Enforcement as required.

• Building effective teams, developing motivation and commitment.
• Management of such staff as may be assigned by the Chief Fire Officer and attending relevant training courses as required.
• Training of staff, the public and others in relation to fire prevention, management, and any other fire related training.
• Management and development of Fire Stations as an asset including buildings and fire service equipment.
• Support the SACFO Operations on Training, Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance.
• Organising and attending training including on-station/drill training, local and national Fire Service Training Courses.
• Participation, if required, in the Senior Fire Officers roster in accordance with the 1996 Rostering Agreement (or as amended).  This includes attending incidents as a rostered senior fire officer, on station training and exercises out of normal working hours.
• Support the Payment of Firefighter wages and administration of the Fire services Gartan Payroll System (FSi)

• Developing and updating pre-incident plans
• Assisting in emergency preparedness learning and development for staff and stakeholders both inside and outside of the Councils’ Fire and Rescue Services.
• Developing effective communications for preparing and responding to major emergencies/serious or protracted interagency incidents.
• Communications with internal and external stakeholders, property owners, the public and the media, senior management, and staff.
• Perform duties in relation to operational firefighting and emergency management as may be assigned.
• Climate change adaptation activities.

• Responsibility for management of Health & Safety in Westmeath Fire & Rescue Service in relation to staff welfare, training, risk management, fleet and equipment maintenance, policy development and implementation & the continuous improvement of Westmeath County Councils Safety Management system
• Participation on committees or groups working to develop standards or promote safe principles and practices in fire safety, both inside and outside of the County Council.
• Procurement of materials, equipment, and services in accordance with national guidelines
• Carry out such other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

• Understanding of the role of Assistant Chief Fire Officer.
• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Effective budgetary and resource management skills.
• Negotiation and leadership skills.
• Understanding of Health and Safety legislation and regulations and their application in the workplace.
• Proven ability to prepare and present technical reports.
• An ability to interpret and undertake critical analysis of scientific data.
• Problem solving skills.
• Knowledge and experience operating ICT Systems.

Character
Each candidate must be of good character.

Health
Each candidate shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Experience etc
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications for the office:

(a)     Hold, in the National Framework of Qualifications:

1. A degree at Level 8 in engineering, architecture, or other building construction related discipline, or
2. A professional qualification equivalent to one of the foregoing awarded by the relevant professional body, or
3. A degree at Level 8 in a science or technology related discipline including, physics, chemistry, environmental or computer science, information communications technology; or a fire related discipline including fire safety, emergency management or emergency services, or
4. A degree at Level 8 together with a Level 9 qualification in a fire related discipline

• Principles and practices of fire safety,
• Fire service operations,
• Major emergency management,
• Technological and industrial processes,
• Telecommunications and information technology.