Fishery Officer

Staffline Derry are hiring on behalf of The Loughs Agency ...

Job Title: Fishery Officer

Contract Type: Full-time / Temporary

Duration: Up to end of December 2026 - subject to funding and with a possible extension

Organisation: Loughs Agency of Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission

Directorate: Conservation and Protection

Location: Foyle Area

Grade/Scale: FOI / £33,542 to £34,231 per annum

Responsible to: Area Fishery Inspector

Hours: The normal conditioned hours of work are full-time: 37 hours (excluding meal breaks). The duties and responsibilities of this post require flexible working hours of up to 24 hours each day and 7 days each week.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Fishery Officers are responsible for carrying out a range of fishery protection and other duties, not only in their assigned area of responsibility, but also in other areas within the Foyle Area or adjoining areas as directed by their Inspector.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDE:

• Adequate and effective fishery protection, conservation and monitoring measures at all times, having regard to the appropriate legislation, including legislation protecting waters from pollution.
• Adequate and effective checks on all rod licence holders, their rods and other equipment to ensure compliance with the terms of their licence.
• Prompt and effective response to all emergency call outs.
• Regular inspections on all weirs, sluices, mills, dams, fish passes, millraces and watercourses to ensure compliance with the law.
• Examination of watercourses in relation to fishery conservation measures associated with drainage works or engineering works adjacent to watercourses.
• All duties in connection with the prevention and control of water pollution including monitoring and sampling of discharges.
• Assisting with surveys, fishery investigations etc.
• Investigation of complaints relating to the conservation and protection role of the Agency.
• Apprehending offenders and seizing equipment under the terms of the legislation.
• Taking and preparing statements of evidence and presenting evidence in court.
• Duties may include seagoing protection as a crew member and small boats / RIB handling.

Fishery Officers:

• Ensure that all Agency property placed in their care is properly maintained, and if appropriate serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
• Keep and maintain proper records and notebooks, compile all necessary reports and statements, and submit them promptly to the Area Inspector.
• Keep and submit diaries of duties performed in accordance with instructions.
• Keep up to date on fisheries and associated legislation.
• Ensure appropriate legislation and instructions are complied with.
• Bring to the attention of the Area Inspector any matters coming to their attention, which may adversely affect the fisheries of the Foyle Area or the operation of the Agency.
• Carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required from time to time within the general level of responsibility for the post.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Fishery Officer

Essential Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate that they possess the following criteria by the closing date for applications. Each essential criterion will be applied.

1. 5 GCSEs (Grade A-C) or equivalent to include Mathematics and English Language; or
2. 1 year's previous experience in two of the areas below:
   • Environmental field.
   • Law enforcement.
   • Fish counters.
   • Legal background.
   • Seagoing duties; and

3. Candidates must hold a full current driving licence (with not more than 6 penalty points) held for a minimum of two years.

Desirable Criteria

Some or all of the following criteria MAY be used in the event of a large number of suitably qualified applications.

1. In the first instance, training or qualifications in fisheries management, environmental field, law enforcement, fish counters or legal background.
2. In the second instance, 2 years' previous experience in two of the areas below:
   • Environmental field.
   • Law enforcement.
   • Fish counters.
   • Legal background.
   • Seagoing duties.

For further information, contact [email protected] or call 02871 26 77 99 ext - 514