Are you a University of Applied Sciences graduate with leadership ambitions, who is able to cope with stress and would like a career in the fire service? If so, this full-time training programme with the Caribbean Netherlands Fire Department (Brandweerkorps Caribisch Nederland, BKCN) would be the perfect next step.

Training programme

The 55th full-time fire officer training programme is going to start at the Netherlands Institute for Public Safety (Nederlands Instituut Publieke Veiligheid, NIPV) in September 2026 and will last for approximately 18 months.

You will join the BKCN 3 months before the programme starts to enable you to prepare properly for the process. The training programme will be run by the NIPV in Arnhem (European Netherlands).

During your training you will complete internships at various fire departments to familiarise yourself with the practical aspects. This means you will stay in the European Netherlands for the entire duration of the programme.

The job of fire officer

As a fire officer you will work for a fire brigade organisation. Your career will revolve around leadership and networking, allowing you to advance quickly to a tactical/strategic level within the BKCN. You may work in a supervisory, a project management and/or a more specialistic role. You may also be deployed as a duty officer at various incidents, ranging from accidents involving hazardous substances to plane crashes.

As a fire officer you will be expected to be ambitious, persistent, analytical and confident. You are a leader and are not afraid to work in a stress-filled environment. Key qualities in this respect are a focus on people (the capacity to empathise), collaboration and a feel for various interests.

The organisation

Working for the BKCN means working to improve safety and emergency assistance in a unique Caribbean environment. The organisation is part of the Ministry of Justice and Security, with the minister having ultimate responsibility.

Basic and airport firefighting services and emergency assistance in the event of incidents and disasters are provided each and every day from locations on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.

The force is led by a general commander and managed by local commanders on each island.

Competencies

  • Leadership skills.
  • Political-executive sensitivity.
  • Social awareness.
  • Intercultural sensitivity.
  • A flexible attitude.

Job requirements

  • A degree from a University of Applied Sciences (240 ECTS) or a University (at least a Bachelor's degree). Alternatively you will be set to graduate well before the start of the fire officer training programme.
  • You are able to work under pressure and stress, are physically fit, and have no fear of heights or confined spaces.
  • You have swimming certificate A.
  • You have a category B driving licence.
  • You are resident in the Caribbean Netherlands/Bonaire, or are prepared to relocate.
  • You have knowledge and an active command of Dutch, Papiamentu and English.
  • You are prepared to travel, given that travel is an integral part of the job.

What are we offering?

We are offering a thorough and challenging fire officer training programme, which is to be provided in the Netherlands and will lead to a wide-ranging role in a dynamic working environment on Bonaire. You will actually be on the BKCN payroll while you participate in the training programme and completing it is a prerequisite for the ultimate appointment.

After successfully completing the training programme and demonstrating good performance, our intention will be to offer you a permanent contract. We expect you to commit to the BKCN for at least three years after completing the training programme.

We offer a scheme for accommodation, travel and other living expenses to facilitate your stay in the Netherlands during the training programme.

Once you start working on Bonaire, you will be required to pass the Airport Emergency Response (Incidentbestrijding Luchthaven, IBL) training course, at a minimum of IBL crew level.

Terms and conditions of employment

  • A job in accordance with the BES Legal Position of Civil Servants Decree (Rechtspositiebesluit ambtenaren BES).
  • A salary in line with the market, in preliminary salary scale 9 and job scale 10, of a minimum of $3,293.00 and a maximum of $4,899.00 per month, based on a working week of 36 hours. Job scale allocation will take place on the basis of training and experience.
  • Holiday pay (8.33% of your annual income).
  • An end-of-year bonus (8.33% of your annual income).
  • A vitality allowance.
  • A pension scheme with the Caribbean Netherlands Pension Fund (Pensioenfonds Caribisch Nederland, PCN).
  • 182 holiday hours based on a working week of 36 hours.
  • A temporary appointment for the time you participate in the training programme. After successfully completing the training programme, you will be offered a temporary one-year contract. A favourable assessment will result in a permanent appointment.
  • A relocation scheme for candidates who are not resident on the island.

Procedure

The BKCN is particularly keen to invite candidates who live, or were born, in the Caribbean area and now live in the Netherlands.

The selection procedure consists of the following phases:

  • An initial interview with the BKCN selection committee.
  • An assessment and sports test.
  • A second interview with the selection committee and a references check.
  • If you are selected, an employment conditions interview will be arranged.

This vacancy is being simultaneously published internally and externally and selection will take place on the basis of the following order of priority:

  • Official staff of the National Office for the Caribbean Netherlands (Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland, RCN) on Bonaire, St. Eustatius or Saba (internal).
  • Residents of the Caribbean part of the Netherlands (external).
  • Other candidates (external).

Appointment requirements

You must also meet the following requirements and be able to provide the necessary evidence:

  • You have Dutch nationality.
  • You can provide a valid Certificate of Conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, VOG).
  • A declaration of no objection (Verklaring van Geen Bezwaar, VGB) is mandatory and support with the application will be provided.
  • A positive outcome following the fire brigade medical assessment.
  • If you successfully complete all the phases, the appointment will be arranged and the BKCN will register you for the training programme, which will take place in the Netherlands.

Important information for interested parties outside the Caribbean Netherlands

  • The salary is in American dollars, which is the official currency in the Caribbean Netherlands.
  • The Caribbean Netherlands has its own tax regulations. Income over and above the tax-free amount of $21,956.00 in 2026 and up to an income of $53,198.00 is taxed in the first bracket, at 29.4%. A tax rate of 38.4% applies to the second bracket.
  • You are, or will become, a resident of the Caribbean Netherlands.

The intention is that you will join the organisation in June 2026 and start an extensive preparation programme by no later than September 2026, with the aim being not only to allow you to familiarise yourself with the organisation and get to know your colleagues, but also to prepare you for the training programme in the Netherlands. During this period you will also be actively involved and challenged to share ideas on fundamental issues.

Information for interested candidates

All interested candidates will have the opportunity to participate in an information day at the NIPV, prior to the application process. We can send you the details on request.

For information regarding the vacancy, please contact the local commanders on Bonaire:

Digital applications

You can send your Curriculum Vitae and letter of application to vacature@rijksdienstcn.com.