Seasonal Fishery Officers Recruitment
Day in the Life Feature- Steven McKenna Assistant Inspector in New Ross South Eastern River Basin District
What does a typical day in the life of a fishery officer look like?
A typical day involves me working as part of a team so I’m constantly communicating with the team as well my line manager and inspector as well.
Did you always want to be a Fishery Officer?
Yes, for a quite a long time I wanted to be a Fishery Officer. I suppose it came about as I was into fishing so it was a process from having that hobby. I started off angling, out on my local river and from then on I decided I wanted a career outdoors and to work in fisheries. I started applying for jobs in fisheries and I was successful.
What attracted you to this profession?
I suppose the challenges of trying to protect and enhance our fisheries resource, working outdoors as part of a team and looking after the future of our fish stocks.
What is your favourite thing about the job?
My favourite aspect is that everyday changes and working as part of a small team you get to know each other very well; it’s very easy to get along with people in the job. You just don’t know what to expect every day. You get to walk along the riverbanks, you get to meet anglers every day and talk to people the whole time and it’s just really enjoyable.
What is the most challenging thing about the job?
The most challenging thing I think is dealing with people in the public as you don’t know what to expect from them on a day to day basis. Over 90% of the time it will be fine but the odd day you’ll meet a member of the public who has a problem. Its how you deal with it, how you come about it and how you bring them back on side. Ultimately we are trying to do our best for the fisheries resource.
What keeps you motivated in your day to day work?
I actually enjoy going in to work every day, it’s a pleasure to get up and go in to work. I know the lads I’m going to be working with all the time. We could be doing anything from a boat patrol to a kayak patrol, it’s just a fun job to be in.
What do you think are the most important skills needed for this position?
Communication skills and people skills, you are dealing with a lot of people in the public and even working in the team. It’s how you’re able to talk to people on a daily basis.
What in your opinion is the biggest challenge facing the fisheries resource?
The biggest challenge I think at the moment is the major decline in fish stocks and how we communicate. How we can protect the species and how we pin point the reason for the decline. Inland Fisheries Ireland at the moment is doing great work with the COMPASS project and the International Year of the Salmon last year. It’s important to create awareness around these challenges – these are the crunching points.
What is the most interesting thing you have discovered or seen in your job?
This time of year is actually one of the most enjoyable times of year as you get to see a lot of the fish spawning in the rivers so it kind of gives you an idea what is actually in the rivers, how our stocks look. It’s a nice time of the year to be walking around especially on a frosty and cold morning, it’s good to be outdoors.
What are you most proud of in your working life?
Being able to work as part of a team, collaborating and communicating together. It’s the fundamental aspect of the job.
What do you do in your spare time to unwind?
I enjoy fishing.
What would you say to someone thinking about a career in fisheries?
If you like being outdoors and being active, working as part of a team and enjoying any element that could be thrown at you then it’s definitely a career to look at. I would say that 90% of the time, it’s a happy’ feel good’ job, it doesn’t matter if it’s raining, shining, snow or sleet – it’s just nice to be outdoors.
Inland Fisheries Ireland are recruiting for Seasonal Fisheries Officers, to find out more about the roles and how to apply, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie/careers .