Basic function

To operate as part of a team in carrying out general equine operations within Kildalton College including educational activities with particular responsibilities for care of loan and enterprise horses, and the day-to-day tasks on the equine yard.

Background

Kildalton College offers QQI accredited Level 5 and 6 courses in Agriculture, Horticulture and Equine Studies which are full time, part time and through distance education. Kildalton College has close links with South East Technological University (SETU) and University College Dublin (UCD) with students attending the college to study production modules. All courses require extensive technical and practical training to be provided for students. The college farm consists of 159 hectares and plays a key part in student training and skills development. The farm enterprises consist of a dairy unit, suckler cow unit with all progeny finished, a calf to beef unit, tillage unit and sheep unit. The College Horticultural unit comprises of a commercial nursery, a sports turf area, 16 hectares of established gardens and woodlands for amenity horticulture and 4 hectares of fruit and vegetables. The Equine unit has over 50 horses on site during term time for student learning on the equitation and stud management courses.

• Carry out day to day operations on the college Equine unit such as;

1. General equine husbandry including grooming, feeding, clipping and associated routine tasks.
2. Monitoring of equine health and welfare including treatment of minor ailments.
3. Assisting vet, farrier and other staff on the yard.
4. Monitoring suitability and condition of tack and equipment.
5. Preparation of stable areas for practicals.
6. Handling brood mares, young stock and enterprise horses

• Tractor driving and machinery operations.
• General yard maintenance including fencing, spraying, and general upkeep.
• Supervising equine students and external contract/agency staff as required.
• To undertake farm livestock and machinery duties when required.
• Maintaining Biosecurity and Biodiversity around the college farm.
• Assisting with college events and open days.
• 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
• 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.