Location: Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Ballyhaise, Co Cavan.
Advisory/Education
Salary: Agr Development Officer Grade I with a Salary Scale of €41,996 to €79,618
Closing Date: 11/09/2025 12:00 PM
Temporary Full Time
Job Description
Duration:
Temporary contract post, the indicative duration of which is 3 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
To operate as part of a team in the development and delivery of classes in forestry and agriculture to a wide range of courses/programmes within the College.
Interviews for this position will take place on 19th September 2025
The anticipated start date for this position is early October 2025, subject to confirmation.
Background
Ballyhaise Agricultural College is based in Co. Cavan. The College offers QQI accredited Level 5 and 6 courses in Forestry and Land-Use both full time and part time. Degree courses in Sustainable Agriculture are conducted at Ballyhaise in collaboration with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT). All courses require extensive technical and practical training to be provided for students.
Job Objectives
* Preparing and delivering of classes/lectures/practical's on a variety of relevant programme areas in forestry and land-use.
* Preparation of assessment in accordance with QQI guidelines.
* Organisation and delivery of course content for practical skills training and assessment.
* Correcting, recording, verifying and informing students of their progress in the assessment system.
* Provision of tutorials to students on class work and practicals related to their chosen course.
* Participate in course promotion and open days and give guidance on likely career opportunities and progression for school leavers and mature students.
* Provision of material for practicals, open days, in-service training and educational exhibits.
* Contribute to enterprise management and maximise the utilisation of facilities and resources.
* Liaise with Teagasc advisory and research colleagues and external stakeholders in both Forestry and Land-Use.
* Management of a college enterprise to provide leadership and direction for the sector.
* To assist management and administrative staff in achieving good governance and risk management through co-operation and adherence to administrative procedures and practices.
* To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan
* Take responsibility for the marketing of services and contract with clients consistent with the achievement of the area income targets
* Take responsibility for the marketing of training programmes
* Liaison with relevant stakeholders in the industry and education sectors
* 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
* 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.
Skills Requirement
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
* A Level 8 Degree (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in Forestry or equivalent forestry qualification to include the following subject matter within the modules studied:
* Soils Science
* Plant Science/ecology
* Environment
* Silviculture
* Sustainable forestry
* Forest mensuration
* Farm or Forestry management (including business)
* A post graduate qualification in a relevant discipline is desirable such as agriculture, environment, business etc.
Knowledge/Skills
* Excellent communications skills
* Ability to manage student group
* Excellent organisational and administration skills
* Practical skills
* Forestry management skills
* Business management skills
* Team work and leadership skills
* Quality and customer service focus
* Practical and technical knowledge of forestry and farming
* Forestry business management
* Applicants must stay abreast of current concepts and use effective teaching methods to impart this knowledge to students
* Solid understanding and appreciation of the role of forestry and land-use in the Irish economy
* Relevant experience of teaching or course delivery is highly desirable.
* Forestry technical skills qualifications
* Proven experience in the use of industry related computer packages
* Teagasc education system
* QQI quality assurance
procedures
Behavioural Competencies
* Shows excellent communication skills and ability to teach and transfer knowledge
* Work and project organisation shows pro-activity and drive
* Quality customer service focus
* Team work, leadership and problem solving abilities.
* Adopts an open-minded and flexible approach to work
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.