Matthew gives us insight into his career as a Watch Officer in the Irish Coast Guard.
Please tell us a little bit about your role.
The role of the Coastguard is to provide a maritime search and rescue, marine casualty and pollution prevention service. As a Watch Officer in one of the three RCC’s nationwide, I am involved in performing the afore mentioned duties, as well as maintaining a listening watch of distress frequencies, broadcasting routine weather forecasts, and working closely with other Primary Response Agencies such as AGS & HSE.
What were your reasons for applying for your role?
Having previously worked in the merchant navy, I saw joining the Irish Coast Guard as an excellent opportunity to come ashore and have a better work / life balance whilst still being involved in an industry I have great interest in.
What do you value most about your job?
I really enjoy the sense of camaraderie you experience within the Ops Room when working as part of a team. There is also an immense sense of accomplishment and pride when an incident has a successful outcome.Again, the time I get to spend with loved ones having been away for years is a huge aspect for me in this job.
What are some of the benefits and supports available to you?
As part of the Dept. of Transport, there are several benefits available to employees including, incremental salary progression, paid sick leave scheme and a cycle to work scheme.There are also several health benefits, education opportunities and generous leave arrangements available to employees.
What opportunities has this role provided for you?
This role has provided me with an excellent opportunity to pursue a new career in an organisation that has a lot of opportunities for career progression, while also being able to have a very healthy home and family life.
What has surprised you since starting this role?
The biggest surprise for me was the complexity of the role, no two days are the same and some of the days can be quite challenging. This is also what makes the role very rewarding. Even after being more than two years now in the role, I am still learning all the time and growing my skill set.
What aspect of the role do you particularly enjoy?
I really enjoy working in a team environment to achieve a common goal. You are continuously learning in this job through drawing on the experience of more senior members and through your own experience. It’s the challenging days that make you a better operator and ultimately, they are the most enjoyable.
Would you recommend a career in the public sector and why?
I would definitely recommend a job in the public sector, the life / work ratio is exceptional, really competitive incremental salary and excellent annual leave are a few of the reasons.
Anything else you would like to share?
From my own experience as someone who spent a lot of time at Sea, joining the Irish Coast Guard has been an excellent opportunity for myself to come ashore while still being involved in the maritime industry. I personally am very happy in my role and would recommend it to anyone looking to bring their maritime skills ashore and benefit others while coordinating the response to Search & Rescue incidents.