Basic Function:

Teagasc is seeking to establish a recruitment panel from which future permanent and temporary Farm Operative positions may be filled. Appointees may be based at Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork or at associated farms within a 3km radius of Moorepark. Farm Operatives are responsible for farm operations which include milking, droving, fencing, calf rearing and operating machinery as assigned by the Farm Manager. Appointees will benefit from membership of a public sector pension scheme as well as a generous annual leave allowance.  There will also be opportunities to receive further training and develop skills on the job.

Background: 

Teagasc Moorepark is Ireland’s leading dairy research institute and a world leading institute on grass-based dairy production.  It has national responsibility for all aspects of dairy production research which include grassland and grazing management, dairy cow breeding and reproduction, dairy cow health and welfare, milk composition and dairy cow nutrition, milking technology and milk production systems plus economic analysis. The research programme is conducted by over 30 scientific and technical professionals, supported by an administrative and operative staff.  Moorepark operates a total of 7 individual dairy research farms totalling 500 hectares and over 1,200 dairy cows. Research resources include modern individual cow feed and metabolism units, laboratories, computer facilities and milking research laboratories. 

• Milking management – taking responsibility for the milking process, including milk/quarter sampling, interpreting SCC and TBC reports, making mastitis treatment decisions in conjunction with the farm manager
• Record keeping and data entry into farm management programmes
• Milking  plant hygiene  to ensure high quality milk
• Facilitate on-going research work involving collection and separation of milk on a regular basis
• Ensure appropriate stock inventories are in place for the milking parlour at all times
• Animal health management – identifying and treating basic animal health problems e.g. mastitis, milk fever, lameness.
• Breeding management – heat detection and AI.
• Calf rearing - all aspects of calving, calf and heifer rearing.
• Machinery operation - e.g. tractors, implements, RTV’s.
• Grassland management - grass allocation and management.
• 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.

 * 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.

Note:  Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management