Basic Function:

Teagasc is seeking to recruit a motivated and skilled contract technician to work on an externally funded project, which aims to develop and enhance the national sheep breeding programs for low environmental footprint. The successful candidate will work in a multidisciplinary team and will be responsible for the collection of field experimental data from sheep flocks. The successful candidate will be responsible for collection of measurements including sheep live weight, feed intake and gaseous emissions.

Candidates will have at least a level 6 qualification in Agriculture, Biology, Science or a related discipline and will ideally have experience of general animal husbandry and field experiment techniques, with an ability to take responsibility, have excellent record keeping abilities and good ICT skills. Training will be provided in the collection of all field data; however successful development of these skills will require enthusiasm and commitment from the candidate.

Background:

The Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre Athenry is Ireland’s leading sheep research institute on grass-based production systems. It has national responsibility for all aspects of sheep production research including grassland and grazing management, breeding, health, nutrition and economic modelling. We are seeking to recruit a contract technician to work as part of the dynamic sheep research team with responsibility for the collation of environmental data on a range of both commercial and research flocks. The candidate will form part of an internationally funded Research project on the development of tools to measure environmental and economic efficiency in sheep. The sheep breeding team has strong collaborative links to Sheep Ireland and international collaborators and the successful candidate will work with such collaborative organizations.

• Responsible for the environmental data collection in Teagasc Athenry and other commercial flocks.
• Perform measurements of sheep live weight, feed intake and gaseous emissions individual animals. 
• Liaise with other members of the team and organize farm visits for data collection.
• Collect all measurements into electronic files.
• 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.
• 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.

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

Gender, Diversity and Inclusion

At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives, for the benefit of all in the organisation.

We are commited to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.

We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.