The Department of Agriculture has started the recruitment process for assistant agricultural inspectors. The Department is filling these positions across six different areas: general agriculture, dairy/food science, chemistry (both desk-based and lab-based), ecotoxicology and ecology. The roles are located across the country with the exception of both the desk-based and lab-based chemistry roles, and the ecotoxicologist roles, which are all based in Backweston Laboratory Complex in Celbridge, Co Kildare.

All of the roles may require candidates to travel to different parts of Ireland as part of their work, and foreign travel may be required. A drivers licence and access to transport is required for all positions, except the chemistry and ecotoxicologist roles. For all of the roles, candidates must hold a Level 8 National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) qualification in a discipline relevant to the position (details in link at the bottom of this page) with either a minimum 2.2 Honours result or a Level 9 or 10 qualification on the NFQ in the same discipline. For some of the positions, candidates must have taken particular modules within their degree.

Post-grad/post-doc experience

For the ecotoxicologist roles (if you’re wondering what ecotoxicology is, as we were, it’s the study of the effects of toxic chemicals on biological organisms), candidates must also have at least 18 months post-graduate research and/or regulatory experience in assessing ecotoxicological profiles of chemicals. For the ecologist roles, candidates should have at least 18 months’ work experience after college as a professional ecologist. In both instances, experience gained while working for a post-graduate qualification, or while undertaking post-doctoral research, may be sufficient.

The personal attributes sought across all the areas being recruited for are balanced judgement combined with the ability to communicate easily and relate to people. The Department is also looking for people who can work under pressure, have effective teamworking skills and can meet rigid deadlines while maintaining standards of scientific excellence.

There are over 200 agricultural inspectorate personnel working in approximately 20 different work areas in the Department of Agriculture and there is a very clear hierarchy within this sphere. Chief inspector, deputy chief inspector, senior inspectors, agricultural inspectors and assistant agricultural inspectors are the ranks, so opportunities for career development are available. The closing date for applications is 3pm on 18 August.

Applications should be made online through www.publicjobs.ie. Before applying, candidates must register as a “new user” in order to create their profile. Once a profile is created, candidates can then access the application form, and complete and submit it.

Precautions

Once you have submitted your application form it is suggested you return to your publicjobs account and ensure it has been successfully submitted via “my applications”. Be warned that email notifications of updates/tests/interviews may be filtered into your junk/spam email folders, so you’re advised to check these folders regularly, although the Department also suggests adding publicjobs.ie to your safe senders or contacts list within your email account to avoid not receiving email because a public jobs email has been blocked. If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application within 24 hours of applying, please email Siobhan Manning on siobhan.manning@publicjobs.ie.

Only applications submitted online will be accepted. Check out this link for more details on all of the roles: www.publicjobs.ie/publicjobs/campaignAdvert/34674/booklet.htm