Location: Dairygold Farm, Kilworth, Co. Cork
Salary: Technician Grade 1 with a Salary Scale of €36,946 to €47,985
Closing Date: 23/04/2025 12:00 PM
Type: Permanent Full Time
Job Description
Duration: Permanent. 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.
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.
Basic Function: The Dairygold Farm Technician will support the Dairygold Research programme. Duties will include supporting/managing animal and field experiments and related facilities, supervision of staff/students, collection of measurements pertaining to various experiments that will be operational on the farm, indoor feeding, calf rearing, animal performance and welfare. The focus of the research programme over the next number of years will be around evaluating different animal genetic strategies to increase the sustainability of pasture-based systems of milk production.
Job Objectives
* Carry out duties assigned by the Farm Manager, and support them in the operation of the research farm, including on weekends within a rota system.
* Work with research scientists in developing and implementing the research programme across multiple studies on the Dairygold Farm.
* Monitor and collect data from the various parts of the study being implemented on the farm.
* Manage the animals on the farm to ensure a high standard of animal performance and welfare.
* Carry out grass measurement and implement grassland management decisions to ensure that optimum grass growth and utilisation can be achieved.
* Support the development of new research studies during their set up phase.
* Support the farm manager in the operation of the replacement heifer rearing unit.
* Support the research programme through data collation and interpretation.
* Contribute to the management of samples, equipment and consumables.
* Complete Health & Safety Co-ordinator Duties or such other Health & Safety Duties as may be assigned from time to time.
* 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.
* To 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 from time to time with the post holder.
* A Level 7 qualification would be a distinct advantage.
Skills /Knowledge
* Experience and familiarity with the use of IT and data management tools.
* People and resource management skills.
* 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.
* Has strong self-motivation and an ability to work unsupervised.
* Strong planning and organising skills and an ability to schedule and prioritise workloads.
* Basic laboratory skills.
* Computerised feed systems and associated technology.
* Grass Management Software.
* Data handling and computer skills.
* Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key partners.
* Has the ability to problem solve and demonstrates a high level of attention to detail.
* Demonstrates a positive approach to new challenges and dissemination of new tasks.
* Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos.
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.
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 committed to the principles of Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion.
We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.
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