Background:
Kildalton College offers QQI accredited horticulture courses at Level 5 and Level 6. Higher level courses are offered to degree level in partnership with Waterford Institute of Technology. Kildalton College has a wide range of horticultural facilities including a sizeable nursery producing 25,000 plants per year. Kildalton works closely with the Horticulture Development Department (HDD) in research activity at the College.
Job Basic Function:
To provide technical support for the running of all educational programmes operated by Kildalton College. Work closely with the Horticulture Development Department (HDD) in research activity at the College.
Reporting To: College Principal and/or other nominated managers.
Competition Type: 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.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manage the health and safety of students and support the implementation of health and safety policy in the horticultural unit
- Prepare and conduct skills training in line with the approved curriculum
- Undertake practical skills assessment and results and feedback to students
- Assist in the supervision of students on work experience
- Coordinate the management, operation & running of the college horticultural nursery enterprise
- Record the physical records pertaining to students, enterprise and research data
- Assist in the organisation and running of advisory and promotion events and activities
- Assist and participate in observational and research trials in collaboration with the Horticultural Development Department at Kildalton College
- Participate in the review of Teagasc educational programmes
- Oversee the purchase and use of sundry horticultural inputs
- Support the management and maintenance of horticultural machinery and equipment
- Play a key role in the Teagasc nursery stock team to facilitate innovation and development opportunities for the nursery stock/ornamentals sector
- Assist with and participate in the marketing and promotion of courses at Kildalton College
- Participate in the development of the college business plan
- 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
- Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Customer Service Charter and Action Plan
- Actively participate in the annual business planning, risk management and Performance Management Development Systems (PMDS) processes
- Take responsibility for his/her own on-going personal and professional development
- 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. Duties and responsibilities will be reviewed with the post-holder from time to time.
Person Specification:
Qualifications/ Experience:
Essential:
QQI Level 6 or equivalent qualification in horticulture with merit or distinction.
Desirable:
- A Level 7 qualification in horticulture
- 3 years’ work experience in the nursery stock sector
Knowledge/Skills:
Essential:
- Plant propagation skills
- Horticultural machinery operation & skills
- Hard landscape construction skills
- Record keeping ability
- Motivational & mentoring skills
- IT and computer skills
- Good communication skills
- Good organisational skills
- Horticultural operations
- Plant identification
- Practical knowledge of horticulture
- Health & safety requirements
Desirable:
- Previous experience in skills training in horticulture
- Previous experience in managing a nursery
- Ability to set up research and observational trials and record results
- Knowledge of Teagasc courses
- Understanding of the Irish nursery stock industry
Behavioural Competencies:
Essential:
- Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders
- Displays initiative and is self-motivated
- Flexible
- Interested in self-development and acquiring new skills and knowledge
- Strives for a high quality of work and demonstrates a commitment to the programme
- Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer
- 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
- Self-motivated with communication, organizational and interpersonal skills
- Capacity to build relationships and network with staff, clients and stakeholders
Other:
Candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive 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.
How to Apply:
An application form for this position can be accessed on the Teagasc Website at www.teagasc.ie/careers
Completed application forms should be TYPED, saved in PDF format and submitted by email to teagascjobs@clark.ie no later than 12 noon on Monday 17th December 2018.Applications received after this time will not be considered.
Please state relevant reference code in all correspondence.
Teagasc is an equal opportunities employer. As part of Teagasc Gender and Diversity strategies, Teagasc welcomes a balanced pool of applicants. Canvassing will disqualify.
Grade/Salary:
Technician Grade 1 with a starting salary of €28,787 per annum. The current salary scale is €28,787 to €39,145.
Starting pay will be at the minimum of the scale per Government Circular E100/8/82. Exceptional circumstances may apply for candidates with current or previous service in the public sector (including Teagasc).
Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.
