General Operative

Overview of Department

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) plays the lead role in promoting competitive and sustainable economic development in the agriculture, food, forestry and fisheries sectors. Its mission is to lead, enable and regulate the sector in a way that optimises its contribution to social, economic and environmental sustainability.

The Department’s strategic goals include:

• to promote and safeguard public, animal and plant health and animal welfare for the benefit of consumers producers and wider society
• provide income and market supports to underpin the rural economy and the environment
• provide the optimum policy framework for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector
• deliver a sustainable, growth driven sector focused on competitiveness and innovation driven by a skilled workforce delivering value added products in line with market demands
• maintain and develop strategic, operational, regulatory and technical capacity to achieve operational excellence Further information on the Department can be viewed here

Job specification

The following list, which is not exhaustive, sets out the broad range of duties required to be undertaken by a

General Operative Grade 1 (Rural) appointed to the position.

• Management and supervision in the general running of Tops Farm.
• Management and supervision of farm operatives.
• Prioritising and assigning daily tasks to each operative in conjunction with line management.
• Liaising with and following instruction from senior management.
• Liaising with other staff members, contractors and other relevant organisations (e.g. OPW) as appropriate.
• Operating tractors, farm machinery and certain hand-held and motorised equipment as required.
• Implementation of daily checks and maintenance plans on vehicles/machinery/equipment to include oil levels, coolant, tyre pressure, greasing and visual inspection.
• Assisting in conducting crop variety trials, the production of minitubers and maintenance of the potato genebank collection
• Completion of tasks associated with the care and welfare of animals on the farm and ensuring duties are conducted in line with Animal Welfare legislation.
• Ensuring and participating in good crop husbandry practices and application of good farm animal husbandry and grassland management practices.
• Managing the delivery and disposal of grain and straw for commercial crops.
• Carrying out minor maintenance and repairs of machinery and equipment, reporting of any irregularities/defects for repair and ensuring vehicles/trailers are roadworthy.
• Ensuring compliance with National Vehicle Testing service requirements.
• Reporting of major maintenance issues to senior management and co-ordinate and assist maintenance contractors on site.
• Ensuring the safe transport of farm machinery and equipment.
• Play an active role in the planning and purchase of machinery and equipment.
• Ensuring maintenance of records including compiling daily and monthly stock sheets, fertiliser, fuel and plant protection products (PPPs) applications.
• General maintenance of the grounds around the buildings, farm and laboratory including fencing, painting, cleaning, power washing yards, sheds and machines etc.
• Ensuring the general security of farm and buildings.
• Implementing the highest standards of Health & Safety on the farm regarding machinery, staff, buildings and adherence to internal procedures to ensure compliance with all Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations for staff and visitors.
• Continuous upskilling and maintenance of qualifications as required e.g. health and safety, use of technology/machinery and continuance of accreditation such as Professional User (PU) of PPP’s and chainsaw training.
• Ensuring adherence to hygiene standards to prevent spread of pests to include weeds, seeds, disease and insects etc.
• Ensuring all documentation is kept up to date in line with management requirements, legislation and for the purpose of audits from DAFM, Bord Bia or the Health and Safety Authority.
• Ensure strict adherence to biosecurity controls on the farm.
• Travelling to outside sites as required.
• Any other general duties as directed by line management as required.
• Out of hours and on-call duties are part of the role.

Vacancies

The Department invites applications for the appointment to the position of General Operative Grade 1 (Rural) at Tops Farm Raphoe, Co Donegal.

Essential Requirements

• A thorough knowledge of modern farming practices in Ireland.
• Experience of working on a farm.
• Ability to drive tractors and operate farm machinery.
• Ability to effectively manage staff and work constructively within the management structure.
• Strong knowledge of Health and Safety principles and practice in the farm environment.
• Good organisational skills.
• Basic IT skills including MS Excel and Word.
• Ability to work as part of a team and work on own initiative.
• Willing to take instruction and provide feedback through effective communication.
• Must be flexible regarding seasonal demands in the work area.
• A full driving licence for tractors and cars (categories B and W). (At time of offer)
• While an articulated lorry licence is not an essential requirement, the successful applicant must be willing to undergo the relevant training for such a licence.
• A willingness to continuously upskill and undertake training as required.

Desirable Requirements

• Driving licence in category BE and CE (car trailer and articulated lorry).
• Have a formal qualification in agriculture.
• Understanding of experimental trial work on crops.
• Experience of managing farm/staff.
• Health and Safety qualification.

Competencies

Applicants should have all the attributes required of a General Operative Grade 1 (Rural) and in particular they must demonstrate, by reference to specific examples from their career to-date, that they possess or have the capacity to acquire the qualities, skills and knowledge required for the role of a General Operative Grade 1 (Rural) as identified in the following competency framework.

How to Apply

Only Online Applications can be made and should be submitted via the Apply Now button below.

Note: As outlined above, if you do not meet the Essential Requirements listed under Section 3, your application will receive no further consideration.

Closing Date Your application must be submitted no later than 12.00 noon on 3rd of September 2025.

All queries relating to this recruitment campaign should be directed to dafm@cpl.ie with the subject heading “General Operative – Tops Farm, Raphoe”

Application acknowledgements:

All applications received will be acknowledged within 5 working days of the competition closing date. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within the 5 working days or for any queries relating to this competition, please contact by email: dafm@cpl.ie

Applications will not be accepted after the closing date.