The Work

Technical Agricultural Officers are employed by the Department to carry out various functions related to services and schemes operated by the Department in addition to operating controls relating to animal welfare, public health, animal health and EU payment schemes.

Technical Agricultural Officers must have a good knowledge and understanding of these services, schemes, programmes and controls and are required to ensure that these are conducted correctly.

The following are some duties associated with the role of a Technical Agricultural Officer:

• Interacting with the public/customers on schemes and services;
• Supervision and/or monitoring of activities of food business operators and a range of meat plants and ensuring compliance with all regulations;
• Various on farm controls and business premises checks required under national and EU legislation;
• Dealing with animal welfare, public health and animal health (including disease control) in line with legislative requirements; and
• A range of other duties e.g. crop evaluation and certification, poultry & eggs and pesticide control.

Working Environment

Technical Agricultural Officers may be required to work in industrial conditions such as meat plants. Technical Agricultural Officers in other work areas may carry out both office and outdoor duties. Outdoor duties may include farm inspections under the various EU Schemes.

Technical Agricultural Officers may be assigned work in more than one work area of the Department, depending on seasonal and geographical demands. Officers may also be required to transfer to other locations and work areas on a temporary basis. In-service training will be provided in the various work areas.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Posts in the grade of Agricultural Officer are filled by means of an open competition organised by the Public Appointment Service. These are advertised every two-an-half years to three years and a two year panel is normally formed. These competitions are announced in the daily Media when recruitment is necessary. This is not an annual competition. The competition consists of a written examination and an interview.   
  
Agricultural Officers, on taking up duty, which can be in any location in the country, are given induction training and an overall picture of the work of the Department. They are then assigned to work duties with an experienced officer until they become proficient in their duties. They are kept updated of new developments during their career by in-service training courses, and other general courses are provided as required.

Essential Requirements:

• Have obtained in the Leaving Certificate Examination a minimum of grade O6 (Pass level) in 5 subjects to include Mathematics and English and

• FET PLC Courses Hold an advanced certificate in Agriculture or Horticulture at level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications Search FET PLC Courses
  

• Apprenticeships Agriculture or Horticulture NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeship
• Higher Education CAO Entry Hold a qualification in Agriculture or Horticulture at level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications Search CAO Courses 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €52k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Public Appointments Service/ Forsa

Last Updated: June, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The changes in classification as a result of the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017 are partly responsible for the strong employment growth rate for this occupation, although employment also grew strongly between 2019 and 2020, and continued to grow in 2022. Those employed are primarily female (69%), working full-time (90%), and over half (55%) held third-level qualifications. With a higher than average share of persons employed aged 55 years and older (31% compared to 19% for all occupations), replacement demand is likely to result in opportunities opening up for these roles even if employment growth slows.

There was a significant number of vacancies advertised online for clerical officer roles across the civil service and Government administration roles. However, recent job hires for 2022 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. While job openings are set to continue, upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

• Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority

  • Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow
  • (059) 917 0200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Gurteen Agricultural and Equine College

  • Ballingarry, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
  • 067 21282
  • Click Here