Location: Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Position: Technologist
Salary: Technologist Grade 1 with a Salary Scale of €40,080 to €76,519
Closing Date: 01/10/2024 12:00 PM
Type: Temporary Full Time
Job Description
Duration: Temporary contract post, the indicative duration of which is 6-9 months, subject to contract. A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.
Basic Function: The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and managing a central grassland database incorporating electronically transferred Irish grassland farm data using appropriate software (Pasturebase Ireland), and on-going development of the associated decision support function of PastureBase Ireland. This database will be used both for on-farm grass variety evaluation and to provide the industry with seasonal monitoring of grass production on Irish grassland farms. The decision support function assists farmers in the management of their grassland resource, and should allow them to easily incorporate new research findings into their grassland management. The appointee will liaise daily with commercial grassland farmers to ensure the capture of high-quality data electronically through the application of the best grassland management technologies.
Job Objectives
* Develop and manage the PastureBase Ireland grassland database and the associated decision support function.
* Liaise with grassland farmers with on-farm grass clover and grass cultivar evaluation, ensuring measurements are completed in a timely manner.
* Ensure the smooth and timely transfer of on-farm research results to relevant stakeholders including DAFM.
* Liaise with researchers, farmers, the Teagasc ICT Department, IFC Helpdesk, and software developers to identify, scope out, test, and implement improvements to PastureBase Ireland.
* Assist in training key stakeholders in the use of appropriate grassland ICT application.
* Participate in undergraduate teaching roles with UCC and UCD, MTU students.
* Contribute to writing of scientific papers and research grant proposals in the area of grassland management software and database development.
* Assist in the training of Walsh Scholars, post-doctoral and contract researchers and others as required in grassland management software and database development.
* 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 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.
Skills Requirement
Essential
* A Level 8 qualification (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), agricultural science or a related discipline.
* Grassland Management.
* Computer skills.
* Data handling skills.
* Communication and Dissemination skills.
Desirable
* A postgraduate degree and/or research experience in grassland science would be a distinct advantage.
* Data-base management and Analysis.
* Grass-based production systems.
* Grassland decision support tools.
* Farm and Agri IT software.
* Systems modeling.
* Website design and management.
Behavioural Competencies
* Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders.
* Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.
* Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.
* Ability to work independently and meet self-imposed milestones and deliverables.
Other
* Candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.
Eligibility: This is an open public competition. Should a current serving Teagasc staff member be successful in their application through open public competition for this post, their current contract of employment with Teagasc will come to an end on taking up this post.
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.
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