Recruitment of Two Project Officers (agri-environmental)

at  ACRES West Connacht

Region:
Ireland
Vicinity:
Galway
Industry Sector:
Conservation Jobs, Ecology Jobs, Water Jobs, Hydrology Jobs, Environmental Jobs, Nature Jobs, Agriculture Jobs, Nature Conservation Jobs, Stakeholder Engagement Jobs, Farming Jobs, Habitat Management Jobs
Job Category:
Management, Project Management, Policy, Training/Instruction, Development, Design, Monitoring, Planning
Job Type:
Contract
Education Level:
Please see job description
Salary Description:
€38,000 per annum (+ 4% employer pension contribution)
Posted:
14/08/2024
Start Date:

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Project Officer’s primary role is to support farmers and farm advisors throughout the delivery of the scheme. They will actively engage with farmers to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the opportunities available to them through the scheme and to encourage their active participation with a view to achieving better environmental outcomes that are most relevant and beneficial to the local area. The job is an opportunity for somebody motivated to promote farming practices that maintain and enhance the environmental quality of the West Connacht farming landscape.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• 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 (those with <2 yrs experience may apply but will only be considered for more junior roles on the project which will be filled over the coming year).

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE - DESIRABLE

• Post-graduate qualification
• DAFM FAS Approved
• Knowledge and experience relevant to biodiversity and wildlife legislation in Ireland.
• Knowledge and experience relevant to agriculture policy in Ireland including results-based schemes such Burren Programme, Pearl Mussel Project, and other EIPs.
• Strong knowledge of farmland habitats (peatland & grassland) and their indicator species.
• Experience in the preparation and monitoring of farm plans.
• Experience of providing agri-environmental advice and support to farmers.
• Experience of using digital mapping and database systems.
• An ability to communicate in spoken Irish.
• Archaeological or Hydrological experience.

SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills and characteristics

• Excellent communication skills.
• Self-motivated and have a proven ability to work under their own initiative.
• Have a positive, enthusiastic, pragmatic, solution driven, and flexible approach to work.
• A willingness to actively participate as part of a wider multidisciplinary team.
• An ability to manage their own workload, ensuring that work is carried out on schedule, and a high attention to detail.
• Good computer skills, particularly in the use of Microsoft Office software.

• 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.