Job Description
Permanent . A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.
Basic Function:
We are presently seeking to recruit a general farm operative with responsibility for general farm operations which include feeding, herds, animal husbandry, fencing, calf rearing and operating machinery, as assigned by the farm manager.
Background:
Teagasc Grange is Ireland’s leading beef research institute and a world leading institute on grass-based beef production. It has national responsibility for all aspects of beef production research which include: grassland, grazing and indoor feeding management; beef breeding and reproduction; cattle health and welfare; animal nutrition; environmental performance; and beef systems analysis. The research programme is conducted by over 20 scientific and technical professionals, supported by an administrative and operative staff. Grange research farm comprises over 250 hectares and is typically stocked with over 1,000 beef cattle, of both suckler and dairy-beef origin, on experimental studies. Grange is also the location of a pilot-scale anaerobic digestion plant. Research resources include modern cattle accommodation and metabolism units, laboratories, greenhouse gas measurement facilities and education facilities comprising classrooms and cattle demonstration pens.
Job Objectives
- Support for delivery of livestock research projects on the research farms at Grange.
- Calving suckler cows – supervision, penning, handling and intervention as required.
- Calf rearing - all aspects of calf rearing e.g. health, nutrition.
- Machinery operation and maintenance - e.g. tractors, implements, ATV’s.
- Breeding management – heat detection and AI.
- Grassland management - grass allocation and management.
- Indoor feeding – group and individual feeding of beef cattle with concentrate and forage feeds.
- Animal health management – identifying and treating basic animal health problems e.g. respiratory illness, gastroenteritis, metabolic diseases, lameness.
- Maintaining a clean and safe working environment.
- Operation, management and care of any equipment used in the undertaking of research farm tasks.
- Assist with research measurements as part of on-farm research projects
- To fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations, including full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
- To assist management and administrative staff in achieving good governance and risk management through co-operation and adherence to administrative procedures and practices.
- To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service charter and action plan.
- To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes
- To carry out other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
Skills Requirement
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
- A Level 5 qualification, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in Agriculture, Farm Administration or a related discipline
- Driver's licence - categories 'B' and 'W'.
- Level 6 qualification or higher would be a distinct advantage.
- Some experience in beef herd management and relevant computer applications would be a distinct advantage.
- Driver's licence - category 'BE.
Skills/Knowledge
- Stockmanship skills.
- Machinery operation.
- Time management.
- Animal health and welfare.
- Ability to learn and adapt to change.
- Excellent communicator, facilitates a two way flow of information.
- Ability to receive and comprehend direction clearly and seek clarification as required.
- Have strong self-motivation and an ability to work unsupervised.
- Strong planning and organising skills and an ability to schedule and prioritise workloads.
- Experience and familiarity with the use of IT and data management tools.
- Computerised feed systems and associated technology.
Behavioural Competencies
- Ability to work as part of a team and to engage with all personnel in the workplace.
- Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Possess a strong acumen for attention to detail and takes personal pride in their work.
- Demonstrates a positive approach to new challenges.
- Demonstrates a high level of ownership and commitment to the job.
- Flexible with an ability to adapt to changing requirements/priorities.
Other
Note: The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.
Note: Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management