Fire Safety Officer

Trinity is Ireland’s leading university and is ranked 75th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026). Founded in 1592, the University is steeped in history with a reputation for excellence in education, research, and innovation, which has been inspiring generations of thinkers for over 400 years. Thrive: Trinity College Dublin's Strategic Plan 2025 - 2030

Post Summary:

The Fire Safety Officer (FSO) will provide vision and strategic leadership in advancing a comprehensive fire safety and compliance framework across Trinity College Dublin. As a key enabler of institutional resilience, the FSO will lead and develop strategy, and implementation plans that embed fire safety as a critical pillar of the University’s operations, capital development, and campus culture.

This is a high-profile position requiring a seasoned fire safety professional with a robust strategic and technical skill set. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring that all academic operations, maintenance activities, and capital projects across the University fully comply with statutory fire safety regulations. The role demands exceptional expertise, foresight, and influence to embed fire safety into the University’s broader strategic objectives and operational frameworks.

Reporting to the Head of Safety, the FSO will direct, manage, and oversee the design, integration, and continuous improvement of fire safety policies, systems, and practices.

Post status: Permanent Contract

Hours of Post: 35 hours per week

Salary: This appointment will be made on the Administrative 1 (Points 1-3), Salary Scale (€71,651 - €92,695 per annum) at a point in line with current Government pay policy. monthly/weekly payscales. (tcd.ie)

How to apply:

To assist the selection process, applicants should submit a Curriculum Vitae and a Cover Letter (maximum one A4 page) that specifically addresses the following points:

Clearly outline relevant experience and how this experience has contributed to their knowledge.

Demonstrate, through past examples, their ability to work on their own initiative and to resolve problems.

Applicants who do not address these requirements in their cover letter will not be considered at the shortlisting stage.

Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system.

Please see the Job Description below for this position.

Informal enquiries about this post should be made to Hiring Manager Name, Head of Safety Katharine Murray, E: [email protected]

Application queries about this post, please email the Recruitment Partner at E: [email protected] and include the Competition ID number in the subject heading.

Our Values - putting our words into action

Values matter. They are key to the success of our Strategic Plan. We centre our behavioural values around the importance of belonging. We recognise that the university will thrive by each of us respecting and caring for one another. We know we can achieve much more through working together. We know too that we must take responsibility for our actions and be accountable. We must, and will never stop, imagining. And through being nature positive we connect not just with the environment but with our ambitions for a sustainable future.

At Trinity, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all individuals, including those with disabilities, those who have followed non-traditional career paths, and those who have taken time out for reasons such as family or caring responsibilities. We also welcome international applicants, including those who have been displaced due to conflict or war.

Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s premier university. We are an EU Sustainable Gender Equality Champion and hold an Athena Swan Silver Award, recognising our ongoing work to advance gender equality both within Trinity and across the higher education sector. Trinity is committed to supporting work–life balance and creating a family-friendly working environment.

Fire Safety Officer (FSO) Estates & Facilities Department, Trinity College Dublin.

Post Specification Post Title: Fire Safe ty Officer (FSO) Salary: This appointment will be made on the Administra tive 1 (Points 1-3) Salary Scale (€71,651 - €92,695 per annum) a t a point in line with current Gov ernment pay policy. Department / Faculty: Safety Offic e, Estates and Facilities (E&F). Location: Trinity Colleg e Dublin, the University of Dublin. Reports to: Head of Safe ty. Hours of Work: 35 hours per week www .tcd.ie/hr Post Status: Permanent . Closing Date: 21-Oct'26 0302

0504 Equal Opportunities Policy Trinity is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to employment policies, procedures and practices which do not discriminate on grounds such as gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or membership of the travelling community. On that basis Trinity encourages and welcomes people from all backgrounds to join its staff community. Trinity’s Diversity Statement can be viewed in full at: www.tcd.ie/diversity-inclusion/ diversitystatement

Purpose of the Role The Fire Safety Officer (FSO) will provide vision and strategic leadership in advancing a comprehensive fire safety and compliance framework across Trinity College Dublin. As a key enabler of institutional resilience, the FSO will lead and develop strategy, and implementation plans that embed fire safety as a critical pillar of the University’s operations, capital development, and campus culture. This is a high-profile position requiring a seasoned fire safety professional with a robust strategic and technical skill set. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring that all academic operations, maintenance activities, and capital projects across the University fully comply with statutory fire safety regulations. The role demands exceptional expertise, foresight, and influence to embed fire safety into the University’s broader strategic objectives and operational frameworks. Reporting to the Head of Safety, the FSO will direct, manage, and oversee the design, integration, and continuous improvement of fire safety policies, systems, and practices. 0706 Fire Safety Officer (FSO)

The role ensures Trinity College Dublin achieves maximum impact across key areas, including statutory compliance, emergency preparedness, infrastructure safety, institutional reputation, and spatial planning, in alignment with the Fire Services Act, Building Regulations, and national standards. In addition, the FSO will facilitate, nurture, and strengthen institutional capacity by building internal competencies, leading enabling initiatives, and establishing a proactive fire safety ethos that empowers staff, students, and stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to a culture of safety, compliance, and operational excellence. Context Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, is Ireland’s leading university and a globally recognised institution. Its extensive and diverse estate includes over 167 owned or rented buildings, spanning more than circa 325,000m² across historic landmarks of national importance and state-of the art academic facilities. With 108 acres of land in freehold ownership approximately 50 acres of which are in the heart of Dublin City Centre the University’s estate carries an Insurance Replacement Value of approximately €2.3 billion. The Estates & Facilities Department is responsible for the strategic management, operation, and maintenance of this high- value, multi-site estate. Supporting a vibrant community of approximately c. 22,000 students, 4,000 staff, and over 2 million annual visitors. The department directly employs over 370 professional, technical, administrative, and operational staff who deliver essential services which enable the University to function safely and effectively and to ensure that it satisfies its duty of care to the University community. Within this complex and high-profile environment, the FSO plays a critical leadership role in protecting life, property, and institutional reputation and continuity. Operating across a broad mix of heritage and modern infrastructure, the role demands a high level of technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and strategic oversight to manage fire risk, ensure compliance, and support the delivery of safe, sustainable campus operations. The scale and diversity of Trinity’s estate makes fire safety not only a statutory requirement, but a core component of the University’s operational resilience and reputation. 08 Main Responsibilities This is a list of the tasks, duties and responsibilities for the role: Strategic Compliance and Leadership • Develops, leads, and communicates institution-wide strategic compliance frameworks to ensure Trinity College Dublin’s full and demonstrable alignment with the Fire Services Act 1981 & 2003 and Building Regulation S.I. No. 108/2024 (Part B Fire). Embeds a proactive compliance culture by setting performance benchmarks, anticipating legislative developments, and translating complex regulatory requirements into operational practice. Positions the University as a sector leader in fire safety governance, driving continuous improvement, institutional resilience, and reputational excellence through expert interpretation, strategic foresight, and cross-functional engagement. • Leads the development and implementation of a cohesive, risk- aware fire safety culture aligned with the University’s strategic plan. Embeds best practice standards, innovation, and benchmarking across all schools, units, and departments, fostering shared responsibility, continuous improvement, 09

10 11 Operations and Risk Management • Leads the planning, execution, and multi-annual monitoring of all fir e safety systems, inspections, certifications, and statutory documentation across Trinity College Dublin’s extensive estate of 167 buildings, including satellite locations such as Trinity East, St James’s Hospital, Tallaght Hospital, Birr Observatory, Santry and Iveagh Sports Grounds, and the Islandbridge Boat Club. • The FSO ensures r obust compliance, operational integrity, and alignment with national regulatory frameworks, delivering comprehensive statutory readiness and risk assurance across all University facilities. This responsibility demands advanced technical expertise, strategic planning capability, and institution-wide accountability for life safety systems and regulatory performance. • Forg e and sustain high-impact strategic partnerships with internal stakeholders and external regulatory bodies to drive continuous improvement in fire safety standards, ensuring a coordinated, institution-wide approach to compliance, risk governance, and organisational resilience. • The FSO holds deleg ated authority to take immediate and independent action in response to any major breach of fire safety compliance or significant risk to life, property, or institutional continuity. This includes the power to escalate, intervene, or halt operations where necessary to protect the University’s legal obligations and safety standards. Operating with a high degree of professional autonomy, the role demands sound judgement, rapid decision-making, and strategic foresight to ensure that urgent risks are mitigated effectively and in full alignment with statutory requirements and institutional governance. Training and Capacity Building • Organise, lead and ensure delivery of the Univer sity’s fire safety training program, including the implementation of the College Fire Safety Policy and the Evacuation Marshal Policy, to ensure that all College staff and students are equipped with the awareness, skills, and confidence to respond effectively in emergencies, supporting a culture of safety excellence, statutory compliance, and operational readiness across the campus. • Direct the deliv ery of structured fire safety training programmes including fire warden and fire demonstrator training. Lead and oversee the college Heartsaver AED training programme, to ensure college staff and students ar e fully prepared to respond effectively in emergency situations. and operational excellence in compliance performance. • Establishes institution-wide fire safety performance and reporting frameworks that deliver transparent, data-driven insights to inform strategic decision- making. Provides expert guidance to Senior College Management and the College Project Coordination Group on regulatory compliance, capital project development, spatial planning, and infrastructure investment, ensuring alignment with legislative obligations and budgetary priorities. • Coordinates and delivers bi-annual statutory fire evacuation drills across all 167 University buildings, validating emergency response procedures and reinforcing a culture of preparedness. Ensures consistent operational readiness and compliance across the entire estate, including satellite locations. • Acts as Secretary to the University’s Chemical Safety Committee, providing expert oversight to ensure compliance with chemical safety legislation. Supports strategic integration of chemical risk management into the broader health and safety framework, promoting effective governance and cross-departmental collaboration. • Fulfilling other duties as may be, from time to time, assigned by the Head of Safety

Collaboration and Partnership Development • Build and sus tain strategic, collaborative relationships with all college stakeholders including schools, internal departments, Dublin Fire Brigade, and other key statutory and emergency service agencies to ensure seamless regulatory engagement, coordinated emergency response, and the effective exchange of operational intelligence. These partnerships are critical to advancing the University’s fire safety strategy, maintaining statutory compliance, and enhancing institutional resilience and emergency preparedness. • Collabor ate with Dublin Fire Brigade’s Operational Intelligence Unit to develop and oversee the pre-incident plans for 167 designated locations across the University estate, supporting emergency preparedness, rapid tactical response planning, salvage priorities and risk reduction. • L eads proactive and sustained collaboration with project design teams and academic departments, integrating expert fire safety knowledge from the earliest stages of planning and development. This strategic engagement ensures full statutory compliance, enhances design quality, and delivers resilient long-term risk management across the University’s built environment. Event Safety and Licensing • Ensur e seamless event-related compliance and develop partnerships with An Garda Síochána, the HSE, and Dublin Fire Brigade, to foster collaborative risk mitigation, and position the University as a leader in safe, well-governed public event delivery. • Plays a piv otal leadership role in safeguarding the University’s reputation and operational integrity by overseeing fire safety for all major College events, including the annual Trinity Ball, Trinity Summer Series, and all filming activities. Works in close partnership with the College Commercial Revenue Unit and senior event management team to provide high- level fire safety expertise, ensuring that all event safety management plans meet rigorous statutory requirements and reflect best practice standards. Through strategic pre-planning and risk prevention, this role is instrumental in protecting people, property, and the University’s institutional standing from potentially irreversible reputational damage. Project and Infrastructure Oversight • Consult with and pr ovide expert knowledge to the College Capital Projects for the preparation and submission of Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) and Disability Access Certificate (DAC) applications, ensuring regulatory compliance, design integrity inspections and certification, and alignment with the University’s capital development goals and statutory obligations. • When r equired by the Director of Campus Infrastructure, act as the University’s designated Fire Safety Engineer, Design Certifier, and BCAR Coordinator, applying advanced professional expertise to ensure that all design and construction activities meet or exceed national fire safety regulations and building control legislation. • Pr ovides authoritative fire safety guidance for capital development and space planning initiatives, ensuring full alignment with the University’s strategic plan, institutional policies, and regulatory frameworks. Embeds fire safety as a foundational element of project governance, contributing to resilient design, long-term risk mitigation, and the sustainable evolution of the campus estate. 1312

The role-holder will require the following knowledge, skills, and attributes for the successful performance of the role.. Qualifications • Degree or equivalent Level 8* (minimum) academic qualification in Fire Engineering, Fire Safety Engineering, Engineering, or Science. (Essential). • Postgraduate qualification (Level 9 or higher) in Fire Safety Engineering, Risk Management, Emergency Management or Occupational Health & Safety. (Desirable). • Qualified/accredited to at least chartered, membership or equivalent level in a suitable professional body such as the Institution of Fire Engineers or the Fire and Safety Division of Engineers Ireland. ( Desirable). • A qualification in Occupational Health and Safety. (Desirable). Experience • Minimum of 10 year s’ operational experience within a fire service or similar enforcing authority, with demonstrable expertise in fire risk assessment, emergenc y response coordination, and statutory compliance. (Essential). • Experience in le ading fire safety strategy within a higher education or similarly complex institutional environment, demonstrating the ability to align fire safety with academic, operational, and capital development priorities. (Desirable). • Experience in managing fir e safety across heritage buildings and modern infrastructure, with a proven ability to navigate the unique challenges of mixed- use estates. (Desirable). • Experience in pr eparing and submitting Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) and Disability Access Certificate (DAC) applications, including collaboration with design teams and statutory bodies. (Essential). • Experience in e vent safety planning and licensing, particularly for large-scale public events, with a strong understanding of risk mitigation and reputational protection. (Essential). 14 15 Knowledge • Extensive and applied knowledge of fire safe ty legislation and national building regulations, with the capability to interpret and implement complex statutory requirements across diverse operational, heritage, and construction environments. (Essential). • Knowledge of the Sec ond Schedule of the Building Regulation’s S.I. No. 497/1997 Part B Fire. (Essential). • A prov en track record of initiating, leading, and delivering high-impact strategic projects in fire safety and compliance, driving innovation, enhancing regulatory alignment, and contributing to long- term institutional resilience and safety excellence. (Desirable). • Demonstra ted experience within a fire service or similar enforcing authority, enabling strategic insight and operational depth, is essential to effectively advise at senior levels, build collaborative relationships with statutory agencies, and ensure the greatest impact across compliance, emergency planning, and risk mitigation. (Essential). Skills & Attributes • Demonstrates agile and forward-thinking leader ship, with the ability to maintain a strategic, big-picture perspective while effectively driving the delivery of complex goals and institutional priorities. • Prov en ability to unlock potential in others by delivering impactful training, mentorship, and capacity-building initiatives that empower individuals and strengthen organisational performance. • Prov en ability to build and manage effective stakeholder relationships through clear, influential communication and collaborative engagement, fostering trust, alignment, and shared ownership of strategic objectives. • Advanced IT pr oficiency and strong data analytics capabilities, enabling the effective interpretation of safety performance metrics, informed decision-making, and the optimisation of compliance and reporting processes. • Demonstra tes excellent problem-solving, critical decision-making, and project management capabilities, with a proven ability to navigate complex challenges, drive outcomes, and deliver high-impact solutions within dynamic and regulated environment. Person Requirements

1716 Trinity Competencies In Trinity there are 6 Core Competencies that are applicable to all roles across a range of professional, administrative and support jobs, unlike specialist or technical skills which may be job specific. They provide a common language for describing performance and the abilities/attributes displayed by individuals. They focus on ‘how’ tasks are achieved, not ‘what’ is achieved. Below is a summary definition of the 6 Core Competencies. 1 Agile L eader Sees the big pic ture and harnesses opportunities to achieve the University’s goals. Creates clear direction for the future and how to get there. 2 Unlocks P otential

Ener gised, capable and confident to take ownership and responsi-bility for their development and goals. Motivates, supports, and develops people to perform to the best of their ability. 3 Ser vice Ethos Finds w ays to increase stakeholder and customer satisfaction. Builds relationships, is proactive and delivery focused in order to anticipate, meet & exceed expectations. 4 Builds T rusted Relationships Communic ates in a clear and respectful manner building trust and commitment for mutually beneficial outcomes. 5

Decision-making Confidently mak es timely decisions based on knowledge, evidence, and sound judgement. 6 Achie ves Results Deliv ers results by setting direction, planning, executing, and evaluating impact.

1 Applicants should provide the following information when applying for the position of Fire Safety Officer (FSO): FURTHER INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS ht tps://www.tcd.ie/estatesandfacilities/ https://www.tcd.ie/hr Curriculum Vitae and a Cover Letter (1x A4 page) that specifically address the following points in their application. • Applic ants should clearly address their experience and how they obtained their knowledge in their application. • Illus trate, through past example, their ability to work on their own initiative and resolve problems. 2 Applicants who do not address the application requirements above in their cover letter will not be considered at the short list stage 3 Applications must be submitted by the closing date specified through eRecruitment. 4 Any Applications which are still in progress at the closing time on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. 18 19 Application Procedure Applications will only be accepted by E-Recruitment http://jobs.tcd.ie Informal enquiries about this post should be made by email to: Katharine Murray, Head of Safety, Email: [email protected] Application enquiries about this post should be made by email to: Helena Morris, Recruitment Partner, Email: [email protected] Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin is an equal opportunities employer.

20 The Selection Committee (Interview Panel) may include members of the Administrative community together with External Assessor(s) who are expert in the area. Applications will be acknowledged by email. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt within 1 day of submitting your application online, please contact the named Recruitment Partner on the job specification immediately and prior to the closing date/time. Given the degree of co-ordination and planning to have a Selection Committee available on the specified date, the University regrets that it may not be in a position to offer alternate selection dates. Where applicants are unavailable, reserves may be drawn from a shortlist. Outcomes of interviews are notified in writing to applicants and are issued no later than 5 working days following the selection day. In some instances the Selection Committee may avail of telephone or video conferencing. The University’s selection methods may consist of any or all of the following: Interviews, Presentations, Psychometric Testing, References and Situational Exercises. It is the policy of the University to conduct pre-employment medical screening/full pre-employment medicals. Information supplied by applicants in their application (Cover Letter and CV) will be used to shortlist for interview. The Selection Process in Trinity 21

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