Farm Operative – Livestock Systems

Basic Function:

To carry out a full range of general farm operations.

Background:

Teagasc – Johnstown Castle is Ireland’s leading research institute on the rural environment, and conducts both fundamental and applied research on a wide range of subjects, including nutrient efficiency, water quality, gaseous emissions, soil quality and agro-ecology. The research farms at Johnstown Castle support multiple projects to optimise livestock production and farm efficiency from grassland based systems while enhancing the environmental effects of these systems.

We are seeking to recruit a general farm operative with responsibility to carry out general farm operations that include milking, droving, calf rearing, fencing and operating farm machinery as assigned by the Farm Manager.

• Support for delivery of livestock research projects on the research farms at Johnstown Castle.
• Milking – operating of all aspects of milking process, including plant hygiene and milk quality.
• Calf rearing- all aspects of calving and calf rearing.
• Beef production – all aspects of beef production including, herding, dosing, feeding etc.
• Breeding management – heat detection and AI.
• Grassland management- grass allocation and management.
• Animal health management – identifying and treating basic animal health problems in adult and young animals e.g. mastitis, milk fever, lameness.
• Experience in machinery operation e.g. tractors, implements, ATV’s.
• Skills in machinery maintenance and minor servicing
• 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.
• Such 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.

Hiring Manager should review the table below for accuracy and amend as appropriate – reference: Teagasc Competency Profiles for the grade – available on the tnet

Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.