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Temporary Agricultural Development Officers (Grade I)

Location: Various Locations - Nationwide
Advisory/Education
Salary: Agr Development Officer Grade I with a Salary Scale of €42,921 to €81,218
Closing Date: 09/11/2026 12:00 PM
Temporary Panel

Job Summary

Post Type:	Temporary Positions
Location:	Various – Nationwide in Teagasc Advisory Offices
Reporting To:	Regional Manager
Grade/Salary:	Agricultural Development Officer Grade I with a starting salary of €42,921 per annum. Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.
Basic Function:	Agricultural Development Officers play a central role in the delivery of advisory, education and training services within Teagasc. Advisors are involved in the development of agriculture in a particular geographic region. They work closely with assigned clients to ensure the sustainable development of their farm business through improved technical and financial efficiency and sustainable resource management. They deliver the advisory service to clients through one-to-one consultations, farm visits, technical workshops, farm walks, open days and discussion groups. Advisors may be assigned to roles across a number of enterprise areas (e.g. dairy, drystock, tillage) focused on delivering a specialised schemes support service as well as the delivery of a technical advisory service to clients. Education Officers are involved in the development, implementation and delivery of adult farmer education and training courses across a range of programmes delivered within the Advisory Region. This competition seeks to establish recruitment panels from which temporary Advisor and Education vacancies in Advisory Regions will be filled. Candidates may apply for one Advisory Region only. Once established the panel will remain in place for 12 months unless exhausted earlier.

Job Objectives

The duties outlined below represent a broad range of duties and responsibilities that may be assigned across a range of Agricultural Development Officer roles. Specific duties and responsibilities will be determined based on requirements at the time of appointment.

Provide a scheme and/or technical advisory service to assigned clients through one-to-one consultations, farm visits, technical workshops, farm walks, seminars, open days and discussion groups.
Play an active part in the development of sustainable agricultural production systems across a particular geographic area as part of a locally based advisory team.
Contribute to and support the overall Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) that provides support to farm families engaged in agriculture and rural enterprise.
Actively promote the uptake of research and advisory tool such as Profit Monitor, PastureBase, Nutrient Management Planning and AgNav among clients.
Provide physical and financial analysis & business planning for development of farm business.
Facilitate clients in the analysis and planning of succession and inheritance.
Provide a specialised scheme support service to clients including BISS, TAMS, Derogations, NMPs, Cross-compliance, ACRES and other ad-hoc schemes.
Contribute to the provision of Level 5 and Level 6 education courses at local level.
Participate, as appropriate, in the delivery of education and training programmes in the assigned Advisory Region.
Develop, as part of a team, the annual adult farmer education and training programme consultation with the manager.
Use a range of effective teaching methodologies including discussion group facilitation.
Prepare and deliver classes/lectures for a variety of relevant programme areas.
Prepare and deliver assessments in accordance with Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI) guidelines.
Use digital communication tools and social media in a targeted way.
Support the overall profile of Teagasc in the delivery of local, regional and national events, publications and public relations.
Represent Teagasc at various events, meetings and on committees.
Provide input and deliver on assigned objectives of the agreed business plan as part of an Advisory Region.
Liaise with relevant internal and external stakeholders.

Other Responsibilities:

Engage positively in the Performance Management Development System (PMDS) system and undertake self-development, up-skilling and updating through active participation in staff development and training opportunities. Take responsibility for personal continuous professional development.
Contribute to the annual business planning and risk management process for the relevant business unit.
Continually up-skill and meet regulatory requirements to run programmes and activities under DAFM schemes.
Demonstrate and promote Teagasc’s values through your work, conduct and engagement with colleagues, stakeholders and the wider community.
Fully co-operate with the provisions for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff, students 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.
Assist management and administrative staff in achieving good governance and risk management through co-operation and adherence to administrative procedures and practices.
Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service charter and action plan through adherence to best practice protocols.
Carry out any 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. Job descriptions will be issued with offers of appointment.

Skills Requirement

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Candidates must have a Level 8 degree (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications) in Agricultural Science or equivalent which includes soil science or be in the final year of your qualification as specified above.
Candidates must be accredited as a Farm Advisory System (FAS) Advisor. Candidates who are not currently on the list of approved FAS Advisors may be eligible where they have completed DAFM FAS training or where their degree is eligible for FAS accreditation.
As this role will involve travel between Teagasc locations and/or around the country, candidates must hold a valid full clean driving licence and have access to their own vehicle. They must comply with, and continue to do so during employment with Teagasc, the driving licensing requirements of the Irish State.

Knowledge Skills and Competencies
	Essential	Desirable
Knowledge/ Skills	Candidates must show expert agriculture and environmental knowledge and demonstrate how they stay abreast of current best practices and research. Candidates must be able to identify and shape the best practical applications of this knowledge in order to enhance the capabilities of farms and other enterprises. Candidates must stay abreast of current concepts and use effective teaching and advisory methods to impart this knowledge to clients and students. Candidates must act as an effective conduit to the latest thinking and methods that may give farmers a competitive edge or sustain their viability.	Financial analysis and farm business planning. Familiarity with Teagasc financial management packages. Knowledge of QQI quality assurance procedures. Underway to obtaining a Certificate for European Consultants in Rural Areas (CECRA).
Behavioural Competencies	Excellent analysis, numeracy, problem solving skills and decision support abilities. Work and project organisational skills which show pro-activity and drive. Focus on quality customer service and standards. Collaboration, teamwork (working with both technical and administration staff) and leadership qualities/abilities. Adopts an open-minded and flexible approach to work. Ability to prioritise multiple responsibilities, work under pressure and deliver results in a timely manner. Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with an ability to teach and transfer knowledge to varying audiences. Understands and appreciates the importance of continuous professional development. Commitment to team working and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos.

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

Attachment(s) :

ADO_Grade1_InformationBooklet.pdf

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