Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

The Work

Assistant Agricultural Inspectors work in a variety of positions throughout the Department, and may be assigned to positions in locations in Dublin or locations around Ireland. The work may involve:

• Inspections of farms/premises
• Administration of technical schemes and services
• Field research
• Laboratory analysis
• Examinations of developments in trade, industry, on a national and international level
• Supervision, training and control of field staff

It may also involve representation of the Department at EU and International fora. Depending on the assignment, the Assistant Agricultural Inspector may be office based, laboratory based, field based, or a combination of office and field locations. The assignment may require the person to travel to farms, meetings, seminars, conferences etc in the assigned county, nationally or internationally.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Inspect food products and processing procedures to determine whether products are safe to eat.
• Interpret and enforce government acts and regulations and explain required standards to agricultural workers.
• Set standards for the production of meat or poultry products or for food ingredients, additives, or compounds used to prepare or package products.
• Inspect agricultural commodities or related operations, as well as fish or logging operations, for compliance with laws and regulations governing health, quality, and safety.
• Label and seal graded products and issue official grading certificates.
• Monitor the operations and sanitary conditions of slaughtering or meat processing plants.
• Take emergency actions, such as closing production facilities, if product safety is compromised.
• Verify that transportation and handling procedures meet regulatory requirements.
• Inspect the cleanliness and practices of establishment employees.
• Examine, weigh, and measure commodities, such as poultry, eggs, meat, or seafood to certify qualities, grades, and weights.

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

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.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Department of Agriculture & Food and Rural Development, a full range of training is available for staff.  
 
The Public Appointments Commission, by means of open competitions conducted by the Commission itself, carries out recruitment for this grade. Competitions are advertised on the Commission website and in the national media.  

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Animal care, Project & Supervisory Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Dairy management, Agri Business Management, Agriscience, Applied science, Animal care courses at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Agricultural mechanic, Farrier, Farm Tech & Farm management Science on offer at NFQ levels 6-7 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Agri Business-Dairy Management, Agri Business, Agri Science, Animal science, Agri-Biosciences, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Mechanisation, Agricultural Systems Technology, Sustainable Agriculture Agriculture and Environmental Management, Environmental Health NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Food & Agri business, Agri-Analytics, Co-operatives Agri-Food & Sustainable Development, Agricultural Extension & Innovation, Agricultural Biotechnology NFQ level 9.

Professional Development  

Teagasc run relevant courses.

Department of Agriculture & Food and Rural Development, a full range of training is available for staff.  

Candidates must also have a good knowledge of farming as practised in Ireland. Knowledge of statistical and computing techniques is desirable but not essential.  
 
In addition, Assistant Agricultural Inspectors may be required to undergo post-graduate training in the duties to which they may be assigned.  
 
For the post of Assistant Agricultural Inspector (Dairy Trade and Production) the minimum entry qualification is a first or second-class honours degree in Dairy Science or Food and Science Technology.  
 
Some successful candidates who obtain an appointment to the post of Assistant Agricultural Inspector, in addition to the minimum qualifications set out above; possess postgraduate qualifications at Masters and Doctorate level in Agricultural Science, Dairy Science or Food Science and Technology. Such successful candidates will also have obtained extensive experience in employment in the agriculture and food industry prior to their appointment to a post in the Public Service.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €37k - €73k

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

Data Source(s):
Gov.ie/ PAS / Payscale/ AgriLand

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.

Employment in this occupation declined over the five-year period, with the lowest levels in the fiveyear period occurring in 2020. This occupation also has a high share of older workers with 40% aged 55 years and above. The administrative support services sector (e.g. landscaping services) accounted for the majority of employment in this group, with this sector particularly impacted by COVID-19. (NSB, Solas 2021) Horticultural, agricultural & fishing trades n.e.c.

• 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

• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

  • Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 607 2000 Lo Call 1890 200 510
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here