Seasonal Guide Information Officer
- Location
- Sceilg Mhichíl UNESCO World Heritage Property
- Closing Date
- 10/12/2025
- Rate of pay
- €15.28 (Entry Level) – Please refer to booklet for pay scale
- Job Type
- Fixed Term Contracts
What we do
The Office of Public Works (OPW) manages, maintains, and presents over 780 national monuments and 32 historic properties across Ireland. Each year, our dedicated Guide Teams welcome visitors from around the world to more than 70 heritage sites, sharing Ireland’s rich history through engaging interpretation. We are now seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our team at the UNESCO World Heritage Property of Sceilg Mhichíl, one of the most extraordinary heritage sites in Ireland.
About the location
Sceilg Mhichíl National Monument, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a Special Protection Area (SPA) is a beautiful and unique location 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.
General Information and Work Location
The OPW provides a Guide Service on the island of Sceilg Mhichíl during an approximate 4.5 month season, generally stretching from mid-May to end September. During these months, a team of 3 OPW Guides are present on the island continuously, residing fulltime in OPW accommodation (currently prefabricated huts) during the period of their roster in order to perform certain functions related to the protection of the site and interpretation for visitors.
Work on Sceilg Mhichíl involves spending extended periods outdoors in changing weather, living cooperatively with colleagues on site, and engaging warmly with visitors from many countries. Successful candidates will be expected to join this roster and work as part of a very close-knit team.
Work cycle
The residential roster operates on a 15-day continuous work cycle, followed by 6 days off (14 nights on site, 7 nights off site) as standard. Guides are scheduled to work on both their arrival and departure days. The standard working day is 9.6 hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and public or bank holidays, in line with operational needs. Arrival and departure days are scheduled on Fridays, weather permitting.
To ensure fairness across teams, alternative scheduling patterns such as week-on/week-off rotations may occasionally be incorporated into rosters as required. Days off and rest periods are scheduled in advance of the season beginning.
As travel to and from the island is weather-dependent, occasional overstays may occur when conditions do not permit safe transfer. Flexibility and cooperation are essential to maintaining fairness and team continuity. Applicants are encouraged to consider whether this working arrangement suits their personal circumstances.
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.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking individuals who are:
• Team-focused – work calmly, fairly, and respectfully with others in a small group setting.
• Adaptable and steady – can respond to changing weather or operational needs with patience and professionalism.
• Good communicators – able to share clear, engaging information and listen to colleagues and visitors alike. This is a collaborative, safety-critical environment where communication and consistency matter.
• Safety conscious – aware that good judgement, calm decision making and cooperation are essential on a remote site.
• Respectful of direction and established procedures.
• Interested in the outdoors and heritage – whether your background is in guiding, customer service, education, or hospitality, you value nature, teamwork, and stewardship.
• Resilient and self-aware – comfortable living and working in close basic quarters, able to maintain positivity, fairness, and respect over extended stays.
• 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.
Essential Requirements
Essential Qualities
• Fluency in English.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and follow direction.
• Good general fitness and comfortable working outdoors.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Reliability, fairness, and respect for colleagues and visitors.
• Openness to feedback, reflective practice, and learning.
• Candidates must be at least 18 years of age on 1st January 2026. 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.
Desirable Qualities
• A formal background in history, archaeology or ecology.
• Previous experience in tourism, heritage, education or customer service.
• A general curiosity about Ireland’s natural and cultural heritage and a willingness to learn.
• Ability to communicate in Irish.
Interviews will most likely take place in person during the month of January.
Why work with us
Working on Sceilg Mhichíl offers a rare opportunity to contribute to the protection and presentation of one of Ireland’s most remarkable UNESCO heritage sites, while gaining unique experience in teamwork, communication, and heritage presentation.
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.
