Seasonal Guide Information Officer
- Location
- Sceilg Mhichíl UNESCO World Heritage Property
- Rate of pay
- €14.64 (Entry Level) – Please refer to booklet for pay scale
- Job Type
- Fixed Term Contracts
Submissions: Closed
What we do
Our key job is to manage and maintain the most important of Ireland’s historic buildings and heritage. We take meticulous care of the 780 heritage sites in our charge and at the 70 sites with visitor services, we work hard to present them to their best potential, making sure that we give visitors from Ireland and abroad the best experience we possibly can.
Would you like to work to promote and present our heritage sites to the public? Visitor Services of the Office of Public Works currently seek enthusiastic people to join their dedicated Guide Team.
About the location
The magnificent Skellig Michael is one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Republic of Ireland.
On the summit of this awe-inspiring rock off the Kerry coast is St Fionan’s monastery, one of the earliest foundations in the country. The monks who lived there prayed and slept in beehive-shaped huts made of stone, many of which remain to this day.
The monks left the island in the thirteenth century. It became a place of pilgrimage and, during the time of the Penal Laws, a haven for Catholics.
Following in the monks’ footsteps involves climbing 618 steep, uneven steps. Getting to the top is quite a challenge, but well worth the effort.
As well as the wealth of history, there is a fantastic profusion of bird life on and around the island. Little Skellig is the second-largest gannet colony in the world.
General Information and Work Location
The Office of Public Works is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Sceilg Mhichíl National Monument, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Property and a Special Protection Area (SPA). This beautiful and unique site is a place where ancient monastic history meets breath taking views. Located off the Kerry coast, the site is a well preserved early medieval island monastic site of international significance, which attracts approximately 15,000 visitors annually. In addition, the island is also home to 2 lighthouses as well as numerous colonies of protected sea birds.
The OPW provides a Guide Service on the island of Sceilg Mhichíl during an approximate 4.5 month season, generally stretching from mid-April to end September / start October. During these months, a small team of OPW Guides reside on the island fulltime, during the period of their roster, in order to perform certain functions related to the protection of the site and interpretation for visitors. The island is approximately 1 hour off shore from Portmagee, County Kerry, and the current roster period is 2 weeks on the island, 1 week off rest period. Successful candidates will be expected to join this roster and work full time as part of a very close-knit team.
About the position
The role of the Seasonal Guide on Sceilg Mhichíl will include, but is not limited to:
• Protection of the site.
• Welcoming and introducing visitors to the site and its facilities
• Supervise visitors in order to maintain and prevent interference with the site.
• Ensure that all rules and specific health and safety instructions for visitors are observed.
• Be present at specific locations on site throughout the day to inform, assist and advise visitors.
• Monitor and regulate visitor numbers as appropriate to specific areas on site.
• Ensure insofar as reasonably practicable that no damage is caused to the site.
• Familiarise yourself with all aspects of the importance and story of the site.
• Developing your own tour commentary in conjunction with the Supervisor Guide and other guides.
• Giving guided tours.
• Where applicable, conducting guided tours through Irish or other languages.
• Dealing with enquiries in relation to particular and unique features of the site.
• Assist with the running of events on site.
• Assist in facilitating on occasion, approved activities such as filming or photography on site.
• Work as part of a team and interact effectively with colleagues, management and members of the public in a respectful and professional manner. The successful candidate should be cognisant of the fact that they will be living with their colleagues in close proximity during the rostered 2 week on period.
• Successfully undertake all Health and Safety Training prior to commencement of season, and all training as required throughout the season.
• Demonstrate flexibility and carry out other duties as deemed appropriate by supervisor.
In addition, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.
Essential Requirements
Candidates must have:
- Fluency in English is essential
• Heritage awareness and an appreciation and interest in history
• An understanding of historical reasoning and research methodology
• Ability to engage with a programme for diverse audiences, individuals and communities, on-site and on-line.
• Candidates must be at least 18 years of age on 1st January 2024. Retirement is compulsory on reaching 70 years of age. Candidates will be required to provide an original birth certificate or Passport for age verification purposes as part of the pre-employment process. No appointment to the position will be made to those candidates who do not meet the age criteria
Relevant work experience
• Due to the remote nature of the site, as well as the physically demanding terrain, you would need to be confident that you have the necessary health/fitness levels required to effectively perform your duties on the site.
• A Mountaineering qualification and/or experience in being a Mountain Leader is desirable but not essential.
• During the season, Guides will reside on the island in the OPW accommodation (currently prefabricated huts), therefore, the ability to work as part of a team and interact with colleagues, managers and the public in a tactful, courteous and professional manner is essential. The ability to contribute to and maintain a good team spirit
• The willingness to take direction
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including confidence and an ability to address groups
• Sound judgement and decision making ability, especially in emergency situations
• Concern for clarity and work quality
• Thorough awareness of health and safety procedures. Work must be performed in an efficient and safe manner, in accordance with the directions of the supervisor / manager, with regard to self, colleagues and the public through understanding, observance and application of Health and Safety requirements
• Awareness of the need to protect the site
• Commitment to Quality Customer Service
Interviews will most likely take place in person during the month of January.
Contracts will vary in length from 3 to 9 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can apply. Should you be out of the country at the time of interview, we can facilitate an online interview for you if your application is successful.
All candidates will be contacted by email within 1 month of the closing date, you will either be invited for interview or receive a letter to state that your application was not shortlisted for interview on this occasion.
Yes, each competition is treated separately, however, if successful in one competition and offered a position, no further offers can be made.
