Location: Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co Galway
Technician
Salary: Technician Grade 1 with a Salary Scale of €37,315 to €48,465
Closing Date: 17/02/2026 12:00 PM
Funded Full Time
Job Description
Duration:
Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 22 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:
We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated Data Collection Technician who possesses a deep understanding of sustainability. In this critical role within our Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Department, the successful candidate will be responsible for collecting essential farm financial, technical and environmental data enabling researchers and advisors to assess the sustainability performance and progress made by farms participating in the NFS including organic farms GroFarms project. Participating farms provide data on a voluntary basis to the Data Collector who visits 2 to 3 times during the year to manage this process. The role will also involve recruiting farmers on an annual basis to participate in the survey.
The successful candidate will join a team of data collection specialists based at other Teagasc Research Centres and Advisory offices across the country and will engage with farm advisors and other farm stakeholders in the compilation of the data. The role will primarily involve the collection of farm data from a sample of organic farms participating in the NFS but will also involve data collection of other farms also.
The position also involves fulfilling our statutory responsibility to provide vital data to the European Commission in relation to the uptake and implementation of sustainable farming practices. This role includes annual canvassing of farms to encourage their participation in our survey, further advancing sustainability in Irish agriculture, and providing valuable feedback to farmers on their progress. Due to the varied work patterns of farmers, the successful candidate will be someone who thrives on using their own initiative and values flexibility in organising their work.
Background:
The Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Department is based at the Mellows Centre, Athenry. The Department is responsible for conducting the National Farm Survey (NFS) and for delivering Ireland's statutory data on farm output, costs and incomes on an annual basis to the EU-Farm Sustainability Data Network (FSDN) in Brussels. Previously, the main aim of the NFS is to determine the financial situation across the broad spectrum of Irish farms by system and size. The NFS database contains an archive of financial and technical data on Irish farming from 1984 to 2024. However, the remit of the NFS is evolving and now there is greater emphasis on the collection of a wider range of sustainability data including data that helps to assess the social and environmental contribution of Irish agriculture. The successful candidate will support the DAFM-funded GroFarms project, a national organic farming research initiative focused on improving the collection, integration and analysis of high-quality farm-level financial, technical and sustainability data from organic farming systems. GroFarms aims to strengthen the evidence base for the development of the organic sector in Ireland by enhancing data quality within the National Farm Survey, expanding the range of economic, environmental and social indicators captured, and supporting policy evaluation, advisory services and research related to organic production systems. The high-quality data generated through GroFarms will inform national policy development, including initiatives led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), and will contribute to EU-level reporting and research on organic farming performance and sustainability.
A panel may be formed from this competition, which may be used to fill other expected upcoming contract posts related to the National Farm Survey.
Job Objectives
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
* Accurate recording, validation and delivery of Farm Accounts Data in assigned areas.
* Annual canvas and recruitment of new organic farm households to NFS sample.
* Provide explanation to farmers of results in farm reports.
* Work with farm accounts and related datasets, including the collection, validation, entry and updating of farm-level financial and technical data as part of the National Farm Survey
* Data analysis and validation, based on a thorough knowledge of the agriculture sector.
* Production of measures of farm sustainability.
* Assist data collectors and other staff in accurate recording of on farm activity pertaining to sustainability and liaise with data collection team in relation to these events.
* Carrying out additional farm surveys as required.
* 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.
* 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 6 qualification, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in agriculture, financial management or a related discipline.
* A level 7 qualification in Financial Accounts, qualifications /Agricultural business Field would be a distinct advantage
Skills
* People and resource management skills
* Good accounting, numeracy skills.
* Good communications and interpersonal skills.
* Good IT and data entry skills.
* Data handing and computer skills.
* Experience in preparing farm accounts.
* Experience in canvassing and undertaking surveys.
* A track record in use of excel
Knowledge
* Candidates should have aptitude for research and knowledge of data analysis.
* Computer Literate with proficiency in the use of Microsoft Excel, MS Word etc.
* Knowledge and/or experience in financial management/accounts.
* Knowledge of Farming Sector, EU Financial supports, farm enterprises performance,
* Health and Safety.
* Practical knowledge of farming.
* Experience in preparing and interpreting financial accounts.
* Understanding of farming systems, EU support mechanisms and collection of farm data.
Behavioural Competencies
* Ability to work on own initiative and 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.
* Has the ability to problem solve and demonstrates a high level of attention to detail.
* Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer within the team.
* Demonstrates a positive approach to new challenges and dissemination of new tasks.
* Self-disciplined, organized and methodical.
* Flexible with an ability to adapt to changing requirements/ priorities.
* Have a logical and data driven disposition.
* Strong customer-service focus.
* Interested in self-development and acquiring new skills and knowledge.
* Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our
* Teagasc Together ethos.
Other
As this role will involve travel to farms and between Teagasc centres around the country, the candidates must have their own car and must also satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive 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.
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 commited to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.
We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.