Working Life

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

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

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: National government administrative occupations, Local government administrative occupations, Officers of non-governmental organisations.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

The strong employment growth rate for this occupation relates mainly to growth between 2020 and 2021, with employment levels falling by 7,000 since 2022. Despite this there was a relatively high level of recent job hires for this occupation in 2023, and it also featured strongly in online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) data. At 59%, this occupation had the highest share with third level qualifications across the group potentially leading to a level of skills mismatches.

Job openings are likely to continue, particularly given the size of the occupation and the slightly higher than average share of older workers. 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.

• 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

• Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority

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