Sheep Enterprise Manager

Job Description

The goal of the Sheep Enterprise Unit Manager is to manage the Gurteen College sheep flock in an efficient and profitable manor while demonstrating best practice and enabling teaching staff to use the flock as a valuable teaching tool.

The Role:

This role primarily covers the management of the sheep flock while assisting the Beef Enterprise Unit Manager in some cattle tasks. 

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with a can-do attitude who is team orientated with the ability to work on their own initiative, multi-task & prioritise work.

The role is a full time permanent position, reporting to the Farm Manager.

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Manage the sheep flock as a commercial herd while demonstrating profitability and best practise.
• Manage the health of the flock, daily checks, vaccinations, health planning, hoof treatments feeding.
• Manage grazing and grassland to the highest standards.
• Undertake and manage the breeding and lambing.
• Some basic maintenance of drinkers, sheds, fencing, etc.
• Some tractor work will be required.
• A regular weekend rota will be worked, typically 1 weekend out of 3, looking after both sheep and beef enterprises for those weekend duties.
• From time to time help with college functions such as open days, events, ect.
• Assist with holiday cover for the other members of the farm team.
• Teaching and assisting with teaching of practical sheep skills. 

Skills, Experience / Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate will have previous experience of running a sheep flock.
• A good working knowledge of sheep health, breeding, lambing, grassland management.   
• A full clean drivers licence is essential, a BE licence or the ability to get one. 
• Have an official level 6 agricultural qualification.
• The ideal candidate will be a team player and have a focus on the development of agricultural students.

The following would be advantages but not essential: ATV qualification, some tractor or machinery experience, grass measuring and budgeting experience, basic maintenance experience, fencing experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Employees must have the ability to perform the following physical demands for extended periods of time with or without assistance.
• Must be able to lift and/or move bulky or heavy objects (Manual handling training will be provided).
• Must be able to physically handle sheep and cattle.
• Work may require repetitive motion, reaching, lifting, kneeling, and walking, climbing in and out of a vehicle.

Safety Requirements:

• Must comply with current Health and Safety guidelines and best practice.
• Use of PPE (personal protection equipment) is required when needed.

Safeguarding:

All staff have a responsibility and duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of students.  Staff must be aware of the systems within the college which support safeguarding and must act in accordance with the colleges Anti-bullying, Welfare / Health & Safety and Child Protection policies.  Staff will receive appropriate child protection training which is regularly updated.

Other Requirements:

• There is a certain amount of duties related to holiday/weekend cover for the beef enterprise; experience or skills in this area would be an advantag.
• Staff will be required to undergo mandatory training when necessary.
• Farming is not a 9 to 5 role at times staff a required to work additional hours, especially at busy times such as lambing.

 General Information

Hours of Work:

9.00am – 5.30pm (Some flexibility is available).

Work 17 days out of 21 (Monday to Friday plus 1 weekend out of 3) 9am to 5:30pm.                                                    

There may be additional hours or days required from time to time, as is the nature of farming.

Salary:

€31,000 per year with increments subject satisfactory performance (Which is paid monthly directly into your bank account).

Probation:

6 months - with probation reviews after 3 &  6 mths (Probationary periods may be extended where required).

Lunch:

12.30pm – 1.30pm (Lunch is provided by the college).

(One coffee break during the day).

Annual Leave:

21 days per year (pro-rata).

Notice of Cessation:

6 weeks.

Sick Leave:

Notify College as soon as possible – Doctors certificate is required for a period exceeding two days.

In the case of extended periods of Illness - the college sick leave policy and procedure applies.

Note:

Final applicants may be required to undergo a full medical by a College appointed doctor.