Farm Operative

Basic Function:

We are seeking to recruit a Farm Operative assigned to Curtin’s Farm, Moorepark with responsibility for general farm operations to include milking, droving, fencing, calf rearing and operating machinery, as assigned by the Farm Manager.

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.

Job Objectives

• Milking - operating all aspects of the milking process, including plant hygiene and milk quality.
• Calf rearing - all aspects of calving and calf rearing
• Machinery operation - e.g. tractors, implements, ATV’s.
• Breeding management – heat detection and AI.
• Grassland management - grass allocation and management.
• Animal health management – identifying and treating basic animal health problems e.g. mastitis, milk fever, lameness.
• Facilitate on-going research work
• Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• 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 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 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.

Skills Requirement

Qualifications

• A Level 5 qualification, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in Agriculture, Farm Administration or a related discipline
• Driver's licence - categories 'B' and 'W'

Skills/Knowledge

• Milking, Calf Rearing, Animal Handling, Machinery operation, Breeding Management.
•  Animal Health and Welfare
•  Health and Safety
•  Excellent communicator, facilitates a two way flow of information.
•  Ability to receive and comprehend direction clearly and seek clarification as required.
•  Have strong self-motivation and an ability to work unsupervised.
• Strong planning and organising skills and an ability to schedule and prioritise workloads.

Behavioural Competencies

• Ability to work as part of a team and to engage with all personnel in the workplace.
•  Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.
•  Ability to communicate effectively.
•  Possess a strong acumen for attention to detail and takes personal pride in their work.
•  Demonstrates a positive approach to new challenges.
• Demonstrates a high level of ownership and commitment to the job.
• Flexible with an ability to adapt to changing requirements/priorities.

Other

As this role will involve driving vehicles, candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.

Salary:  Farm Worker / General Operative / Canteen Assistant with a Salary Scale of €34,428 to €38,619 CLICK THE APPLY BUTTON TO GO TO THEIR CAREERS PAGE WHERE YOU CAN CHECK THIS JOB AND ALL OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.