Areas of employment
Teagasc employs 1,100 staff at 50 locations throughout Ireland.
- In the context of a Department of Finance moratorium on recruitment activity in the Public Service (http://www.finance.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=5723) Teagasc ceased all external recruitment activity with effect from Monday 30 March 2009, other than on an exceptional basis where, with the approval of the Department of Finance, such posts will be advertised on this website as the need arises.
In our training and advisory services we recruit permanent and contract staff. We also recruit to our specialist advisory service in disciplines such as IT, nutrition, etc.
In our research services, we recruit permanent research staff and a significant number of contract research scientists each year. The types of degrees many of our research recruits would have include science, economics, agriculture and food science.
- College lecturers
- College technicians
- Education officers
- Agricultural advisers
- Research scientists
- Research technicians
- Clerical officers
College Lecturers
Typically the staff in each college consists of a college principal and up to twelve college lecturers, who are assisted by technicians in setting up and delivering practical training for students.
New lecturers tend to be recent graduates and they will normally spend five to eight years in a college before moving to a different type of work in Teagasc, mainly the advisory services. On recruitment, lecturers are given in-service training and they are also encouraged to do postgraduate courses in teaching methods or in relevant areas.
College Technicians
They support the lecturers and are mainly involved with the day to day management and running of the college enterprises. They attend updating courses, open days at research centres and are also encouraged to undertake post-graduate courses in teaching methods. The minimum qualification necessary for these positions is a relevent HETAC Certificate.
Education Officers
These work at local Teagasc training centres. They deliver courses on a part-time basis at Teagasc offices, including the HETEC Certificate in Farming and use local farms for teaching practical skills as well as the home farms of students. They work closely with the agriculture advisers.
Agricultural advisers
Advisers are graduates in agriculture, horticulture or forestry who work as part of a local team to develop agricultural resources in the area. Contact is made with farmers through farm visits, discussion groups, office and phone consultations and training courses. They play a vital role in ensuring that farmers can participate in development schemes and assist with applications for EU and national programmes to support farm incomes. Employees in this area must provide their own transport.
Advisers are also employed in joint advisory and development projects with some of the major agri-business companies in Ireland.
Research Scientists
The work of agricultural and food scientists in Teagasc plays an important part in maintaining the nation's food supply through agricultural productivity, new product development and food safety.
Scientists work to a funded programme (EU, NDP etc.), interpret and adapt external research findings and act as a technical resourse for our advisory services and other interested parties.
Research staff must be of the highest calibre and the minimum qualification necessary for a research post is a relevent honours university degree.
Research Technicians
The majority of technicians are employed as laboratory or field technicians. However, Teagasc also employs technicians as farm data recorders and data analysts, IT specialists, supplies officers and in the provision of statistical support services.
The role of technicians has expanded in recent years as laboratory instrumentation and procedures have become more complex.
Technicians set up, operate and maintain laboratory instruments, monitor experiments, calculate and record results. Many technicians also develop and adapt lab procedures, interpret data and devise solutions to problems, under direction of scientists. The minimum qualification necessary for these positions is a relevent HETAC Certificate.
Clerical Officers
Clerical staff typically have a Leaving Certificate and recognised computer skills. They are employed as administration support to the research, advice and training programs. The duties vary depending on the work area. Roles include general and finanical administration, personal assistant and reception/switchboard duties. Teagasc promotes a work environment for administration staff that encourages team work and use of initiative. Good organisational and interpersonal skills along with an aptitude for oral and written communication are necessary. There are opportunities to attend updating courses and to undertake courses for further education.
