Background:

Kildalton College is one of four Teagasc colleges and is among Ireland’s leading providers of education and training in Agriculture, Horticulture, and Equine Studies, welcoming more than 1,200 students annually. The college delivers QQI-accredited courses at Levels 5 and 6, while also offering Level 7 and 8 courses in partnership with South East Technological University (formerly WIT), reinforcing its reputation as a progressive centre of learning in the South-East.

The college’s equine facilities include an indoor arena, two outdoor arenas, an all-weather cross-country track, stable blocks, tack rooms, a horse walker, and a breeding enterprise. With approximately 50 horses available for practical training, students gain extensive hands-on experience in horse care and management, the handling of young horses, and riding instruction.

Kildalton College will also coordinate the Stud Farm Manager Apprenticeship which is due to be launched shortly. 

Basic Function: 

The successful candidate will join a dedicated team of equine professionals responsible for the development and delivery of the college’s equine training programmes, with a particular emphasis on the new Stud Farm Manager Apprenticeship.

• Preparation and delivery of classes and practicals along with the assessment of skills.
• Prepare lesson plans, course notes, schemes of work, assessments, presentational material and handouts as appropriate to the needs, experience and existing knowledge of apprentices and learners.
• Set tasks and assessments for apprentices to be undertaken both at Kildalton College and on the job in accordance with Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) as applicable.
• Schedule and conduct assessment of learning outcomes, as appropriate to the programme delivery and in accordance with the validated programme, Higher Education Quality Assurance requirements and appropriate levels. This includes job logbook assessments and other mandated on-the-job and off-the-job assessment requirements.
• Correct and assess course work and provide feedback and evaluation to learners on their progress and attainment of learning outcomes.
• Record, verify and inform students of their progress in the assessment system and record assessment results on the education management system.
• Schooling and training of horses including young horses.
• Participate in ‘on the job’ liaison with apprentices and employers including inspection and monitoring visits as required.
• Support the briefing and training of employers and mentors participating in the Assistant Stud Manager Apprenticeship Programme.
• Liaise with the Stud Management Apprenticeship Co-ordinator with regards to progress and attainment of learners.
• Support the management of the equine enterprise at Kildalton College.
• Assist with schools and career open days in order to market the apprenticeship and other courses delivered by Teagasc and give guidance on likely job opportunities for school leavers and mature students.
• Provide material for practicals, open days, in-service training and educational exhibits.
• Implement quality assurance including internal verification.
• 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.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current concepts and effective teaching methodologies through continuous self-development, active participation in Performance Management Development System (PMDS) role-related training, and the implementation of a personal development plan to support high-quality learner outcomes.
• Participate in the Teagasc Whole College Evaluation process as required.
• 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
• Participate in the annual business planning and risk management process for the College.
• Work ‘out of hours’ when needed.
• 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.  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.