EcoCareers.ie

Employer: FarmPEAT Project
Location: Moate, Co. Westmeath (hybrid working considered)
Job Type: 1 Year fixed term contract, full time
Salary: €40,000-44,000 p.a. (excl. expenses) commensurate with experience
Closing date: Friday 24th November 2023 

Background: The FarmPEAT Project is a locally-led European Innovation Partnership (EIP) funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.  The FarmPEAT Project began in 2021 and will run until December 2024. The project is working with participant farmers to trial a results-based agri-environmental programme adapted to the Irish midland raised bog landscape. The Irish midlands are characterised by extensive raised bog systems. The margins of all midland bogs have been subject to drainage and much of this land has been converted to grassland used for agriculture. The aim of the FarmPEAT Project is to develop an agri-environmental model that will enhance the environmental functioning of these former peatland areas through an incentivised farm Programme whereby farmers are financially rewarded for maintaining and improving the quality of their farmland habitats. Through training days, community events, and the Love Your Wellies Competition, the Project also aims to increase awareness of the importance of agricultural peat soils in light of climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Programme is being implemented on 48 Participant Farms across 8 Project Sites centered on raised bogs or former raised bog areas. These sites are located in the Irish midland counties of Roscommon, Offaly, Kildare and Westmeath. Coupled with the development of the results-based agri-environmental model, this EIP will assist farmers and the broader community to transition towards a more sustainable use of the peatland resource in the area through a range of educational tools and peer mentoring.

Role/Position: We are currently recruiting a Project Officer with an agri-environmental background for this project. The successful applicant will work as a key member of the project team and will report to the Project Manager.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Main point of contact between farmers and the project team;
• Assist the project manager and other team members in trialling a results-based programme;
• Liaise with technical experts and steering group;
• Provide agri-environmental advice and support to participant farmers during scheme;
• Contribute to the development of guidance documents and training material;
• Lead the delivery of training to farmers and farm advisors;
• Plan and conduct monitoring surveys and fieldwork;
• Organise and partake in outreach events such as school visits;
• Continue to develop and test scorecards;
• Ensure terms and conditions are up to date;
• Liaise and work closely with the wider project team;
• Prepare and contribute to reports when required and
• Undertake other project-related tasks as required by the Project Manager.

The ideal candidate would have the following knowledge, experience, and attributes:

• A degree in agriculture, ecology or related discipline;
• Minimum two years relevant work experience in the ecological / agri-environmental sectors;
• Knowledge and awareness of agri-environmental schemes such as ACRES, REPS, GLAS, Pearl Mussel Project, Hen Harrier Programme, Burren Programme, BRIDE etc;
• Strong knowledge of farmland habitats (peatland & grassland) and their indicator species;
• Experience in the preparation and monitoring of farm plans;
• An ability to identify issues at a farm level that pose a threat to adjacent and/or downstream aquatic habitats and species, and identify solutions which give due consideration to the environment and farm operations;
• Experience of providing agri-environmental advice and support to farmers;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Self-motivated and have a proven ability to work under their own initiative;
• Have a positive, enthusiastic, pragmatic, solution driven, and flexible approach to work;
• A willingness to actively participate as part of a wider multidisciplinary team;
• An ability to manage their own workload, ensuring that work is carried out on schedule;
• A full clean driver’s licence and the use of a vehicle for farm visits and surveys etc.;
• Good computer skills particularly in the use of Microsoft Office software;
• Knowledge and experience of results-based schemes would be an advantage; and
• Experience of using ESRI ArcGIS or other data management software would be an advantage.

How to Apply

Please email cover letter, CV, and contact details of two referees by Friday 24^th November 2023 to:

Katie Smirnova

Public Liaison Officer, The FarmPEAT Project, c/o Irish Rural Link, Moate Business Park, Clara Rd., Moate, Co. Westmeath

Email: katie@farmpeat.ie

Website: http://www.farmpeat.ie/

Tel: 089-4147367

Suitable applicants will be short listed for interview during week of 11^th December with a view to the successful applicant commencing work during January 2024.

*Please mention EcoCareers.ie when applying for this position.*