Project Officer West Connacht (Agri-environmental)
ACRES - West Connacht Co-operation Projects
Description
ACRES is the new national agri-environment climate measure (AECM) with over 45,000 participating farmers throughout Ireland. Using a habitats-based approach, delivered through a mix of results-based and prescriptive actions, ACRES aims to achieve improved biodiversity, climate, air and water quality outcomes.
Through a hybrid payment model farmers will be rewarded and incentivised to maintain and enhance the environmental condition of their farms.
There are two approaches under the scheme:
an ACRES General approach offering a range of measures for individual farmers (both targeted and general); and
an ACRES Co-operation approach, available to farmers in eight high-priority geographical areas, who opt to undertake measures, as well as bespoke farm, and landscape actions.
Main Responsibilities
* Main point of contact between farmers and the project team.
* Continual liaison with the farming community in respective local area.
* Provide agri-environmental advice and support to participant farmers.
* Liaise with and provide support to farm advisors.
* Coordinate and deliver training events to farmers and farm advisors.
* Organise and partake in community outreach events (e.g. school visits community groups etc).
* Undertake habitat scoring of farmland habitats (including private lands and commonages).
* Undertake farm visits to monitor farm implementation and success of actions.
* Preparation of reports, training materials, and presentations as required.
* Screening farm actions proposed by farm advisors (includes non-productive investments and landscape actions).
* Liaise with local and regional stakeholders and interested parties on the project.
* Work closely with the wider project team.
* Any other duties as assigned by the Project Manager.
Requirements
This role would be ideally suited to someone who wishes to develop a career in the growing agri-environmental sector.
The ideal candidate should enjoy working outdoors, have excellent communication and organisational skills, and a keen interest in the environment.
* A degree in agriculture, ecology, environmental or related discipline.
* A full clean driver's licence.
* Applicants should have a minimum of two years relevant work experience in the agriculture / ecology / agri-environmental sectors
Salary and Employment Details
Project Officers will be employed on a full-time fixed term contract basis.
The contract period is expected to run to the end of 2028, and may be extended annually there-after, subject to continuing funding and needs of the project.
We foresee that there will be opportunities for career progression and promotion during the project.
Starting Salary: €38,000 per annum (+ 4% employer pension contribution).
Expenses: Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid monthly.
Other details: A budget will be available to cover personal equipment required to fulfil the role.
The project officer will have the opportunity to contribute to a pension, the employer will make an annual contribution of 4% of salary per annum.
Annual leave: 20 days per annum, increasing to 22 days after one year of service, further increasing to 24 days after three years of service.