About the Role
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is seeking Sea-Fishery Protection Officers for front-line roles dedicated to sea-fisheries conservation and seafood safety. Roles are available in three locations: Howth, Dunmore East, and Castletownbere. This position involves direct inspections, data verification, and enforcement at sea, in ports, and at land-based establishments.
Applications must be made by attaching a completed application form via the Conscia website. Application forms can be downloaded below.
Download Candidate Handbook SFPO here pdf.pdf
Download Application Form - SFPO.docx
Key Responsibilities
- Conducting direct inspections of fishing vessels, processing establishments, seafood business premises and other places of fisheries and marine activity to verify compliance and to detect non-compliance with Sea-Fisheries and Seafood safetylegislation.
- Taking appropriate follow-up action following these inspection activities such as writing reports, preparation of case files, inputting data into databases of inspection activity, compilation of written statements or attending court to act as a witness for the prosecution.
- Collecting, verifying, and inputting fisheries statistics in a timely and accurate manner.
- Collecting samples of shellfish, fishery products and fish to sampling specification at shellfish production sites, fish processing establishments, auction halls and fishing vessels and ensuring the delivery of these samples in a suitable condition to conduct the analysis intended.
- Attending meetings or meeting with individuals to provide technical input on matters related to fisheries conservation, food safety and fisheries statistics or to advise groups or individuals on these matters or matters related to the policy of the Authority.
Requirements
Essential:
- Qualification: Level 7 National Diploma in a relevant discipline (e.g., Marine, Fisheries, Food/Environmental Science, Data Analytics, IT, Statistics, or Law Enforcement).
- Skills: Excellent communication, planning, and IT capability.
- Language: Fluent spoken and written English.
- Licence: Full driving licence.
- Integrity: Must declare any potential conflicts of interest at the application stage.

Desirable:
- Experience in a regulatory environment.
- Knowledge of the sea-fisheries industry or food safety regulations.
- Familiarity with health and customs certification.\
Locations: Howth, Dunmore East, and Castletownbere.
Environment: A mix of indoor and outdoor work, both on land and at sea.
Hours: Regular evening, weekend, and shift work (including nights in some ports) is required.
Remuneration: Standard Scale (SFPO), plus an allowance for atypical roster attendance.
How to Apply:
Conscia will be managing all aspects of the recruitment process on behalf of the SFPA.
Applications must be made by attaching a completed application form via the Conscia website.
Only applications fully submitted online will be accepted into the campaign.
Applications will not be accepted after the closing date of 5pm on Friday 19th June 2026.
