Basic Function

We are seeking to recruit General Farm Operative to support the research programme by carrying out general farm operations that include; milking, droving, calf rearing, fencing and operating farm machinery as assigned by the Farm Manager. The farms at Johnstown Castle are operated at a high technical level and supported with good calf rearing, milking, feeding and animal handling facilities. This farm operative position will work within a dynamic team of people, including Farm manager, technicians, Farm Operatives and Researchers, across the different farms and facilities. Appointment will made on a permanent basis and will include membership of a public sector pension scheme as well as a generous annual leave allowance of 25 days plus 10 public holidays. There are also opportunities to receive further training and develop skills on the job. The appointees will be expected to work overtime on a rostered basis to cover weekend work etc. when required.

Background

Teagasc - Johnstown Castle is Ireland’s leading research institute on the rural environment, and conducts both fundamental and applied research on a wide range of subjects, including nutrient efficiency, water quality, gaseous emissions, soil quality and agro-ecology to support sustainable and profitable farming systems. There is a large team of over 140 staff and students on-site including; Researchers, Technical, Administrative, Farm staff and undergraduate and post graduate students. Teagasc is conducting cutting edge farm systems research on its three research farms at Johnstown Castle with an aim to develop knowledge to support the productivity and sustainability of dairy, beef and organic farms. These three farms support multiple projects to optimise livestock production and farm efficiency from grassland based systems while enhancing the environmental effects of these systems.

• Support for delivery of livestock research projects on the research farms at Johnstown Castle.
• Milking - operating of all aspects of milking process, including plant hygiene and milk quality.
• Calf rearing- all aspects of calving and calf rearing.
• Beef production - all aspects of beef production including, herding, dosing, feeding etc.
• Breeding management – heat detection and AI.
• Grassland management – grass allocation and management.
• Animal health management – identifying and treating basic animal health problems in adult and young animals e.g. mastitis, milk fever, lameness.
• Experience in machinery operation e.g. tractors, implements, ATV’s.
• Skills in machinery maintenance and minor servicing.
• 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.
• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Such 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 with the post-holder from time to time.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.