Basic Function:

To operate as part of a team in the development & delivery of theory & practicals, specifically in the area of agricultural mechanisation for a range of full-time and part-time agricultural courses. The Access Officer acts as a point of contact for people with disabilities who wish to access services provided by Teagasc, arranging and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to eligible students.

Background:

Clonakilty Agricultural College, located 3 miles from the picturesque town of Clonakilty in West Cork was established in 1905 and has become renowned as a center of excellence, over the past 100 years, for the provision of agricultural training. Our location which is set amongst some of the most intensively farmed areas of southern Ireland, makes it a perfect backdrop for agricultural education. Clonakilty Agricultural College is one of three Teagasc colleges providing agricultural education in Ireland. It is responsible for the provision of full time and part time agricultural education in the Southern region. It provides QQI courses in agriculture from level 5 up to level 8. The college carries out its function in collaboration with the Munster Technological University, the Cork East and Cork West Area Management Units in Teagasc and the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences in University College Cork. It has 23 staff working across its education and research functions and educates in the region of 450 students each year.

Machinery Teacher

• Preparation & delivery of classroom lectures in the areas of machinery, mechanisation & other agricultural related modules.

• Delivery of practical skills instruction & the assessment of these skills in all areas of agriculture with a specialisation in machinery.

• Provision of tutorials to students on class work & practicals related to their chosen course

• Preparation of assessment papers in accordance with Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI) guidelines

• Correcting, recording, verifying & informing students of their progress in the assessment system

• Provision of material for practicals, open days, in-service training & educational exhibits

• Implementing quality assurance including internal verification

• Assist in the management of the machinery enterprise & leading the adoption of up to date technology & precision farming in the college

• Keeping abreast of current concepts & using effective teaching methods to impart this knowledge to the students

Access Officer

• Implement Teagasc learner support policy & practices in line with legislation, educational best practice & QQI programme approval agreement requirements.

• Meet with learners requiring learner support (including parents/guardians with under 18 year olds) before the commencement of programmes, ensure learner agreements are in place & that teachers & technicians are familiar with agreements.

• Coordinate the Teagasc Applied Programme (TAP) for Clonakilty Agricultural College.

• Provide advice & support to college staff on how best to cater for the diverse learning needs of learner & facilitating learning, supportive & inclusive teaching methods

• Recommend resources & strategies for college staff who work with students with physical & specific learning difficulties.

• Review feedback, undertake evaluations & report on the effectiveness of college learner support strategies

• Develop & maintain knowledge of current learner support technologies, practices & policies

General

• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety & welfare of themselves, fellow staff & non-Teagasc staff & co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.

• Assisting with schools & career open days in order to market the courses & give guidance on likely job opportunities for school leavers & mature students

• Support Teagasc Education Resource Leadership Teams & support the development & updating of curriculum & teaching support materials.

• Liaising with relevant internal & external stakeholders

• Assist in the implementation of new & revised education programmes including apprenticeship training.

• Contribute to the evaluation of Teagasc education programmes, including education productivity analysis, stakeholder satisfaction & Whole College Evaluation.

• To undertake self-development & updating through active participation in Performance Management Development System (PMDS) based role-related training & the development of a personal development planner

• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Teagasc Customer Charter.

• To participate in the annual business planning & risk management process for the College

• To assist management & administrative staff in achieving good governance & risk management through co-operation & adherence to administrative procedures & practices

• To work ‘out of hours’ when needed

• To carry out other duties as may be assigned from time to time

   

 * This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

 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.