General Operative Nursery Maintenance

Job title:

General Operative Nursery Maintenance

Company

Teagasc

Job description

Job DescriptionDuration:Permanent . A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.Basic FunctionTo operate as part of a team in carrying out general maintenance operations in the horticulture unit and commercial plant nursery within Kildalton College, including particular responsibilities for the maintenance of ornamental plants in the glasshouse and set out beds.BackgroundKildalton College offers QQI accredited Level 5 and 6 courses in Agriculture, Horticulture and Equine Studies in full time, part time and through distance education. Kildalton College has close links with South East Technological University (SETU) and University College Dublin (UCD). All courses require extensive technical and practical training to be provided for students. The College Horticultural Unit comprises of a commercial nursery, a sportsturf area, 16 hectares of established gardens, amenity grounds and woodlands for amenity horticulture and 4 hectares of fruit and vegetables. The farm enterprise consists of a dairy unit, suckler cow unit with all progeny finished, a calf to beef unit, tillage unit and sheep unit. The equine unit has over 50 horses on site during term time for student learning on the equitation and stud management courses.Job Objectives

• To undertake duties as directed relating to general maintenance within the ornamental plant nursery and in line with enterprise unit plans:
• Potting up and setting down of plants
• Weeding
• Irrigation of plant stock
• Plant propagation
• Preparation of orders for delivery
• Delivery of plant orders to customers
• Application of plant protection products and biological control
• Maintenance of a tidy nursery
• Customer service or dealing with customers

• To maintain the nursery in a tidy and safe manner.
• To carry out general day to day operations in the college nursery.
• Assisting with college events and open days.
• Supervise placement students and external contract/agency farm staff as required.
• To fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations, including full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• To assist management and administrative staff in achieving good governance and risk management through co-operation and adherence to administrative procedures and practices.
• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service charter and action plan.
• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• Such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

• This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive. It will be reviewed with the post-holder from time to time.

Skills RequirementEssentialDesirableQualifications

• A Level 5 qualification, (as recognised on the

or ), in horticulture or a related discipline * Driver’s licence -• Candidates must hold a car and tractor licence categories B and W. Trailer licence category BE would be desirable.

• Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture or higher would be a distinct advantage.
• Pesticide User Sprayer Course.
• Manual Handling qualification.
• First Aid Course.

Skills

• Knowledge of ornamental plants and their care
• Knapsack spraying operation.
• Time management.
• Ability to receive and comprehend direction clearly and seek clarification as required.
• Strong planning and organising skills and an ability to schedule and prioritise workloads.
• Tractor and machinery operations

• Experience and familiarity with the use of IT and data management tools.
• Accurate record keeping
• Ability to use a range of horticultural equipment
• Previous experience working in a commercial nursery

Knowledge

• Knowledge of ornamental plants and their care
• Identification of plant pests and diseases
• Knowledge of irrigation systems
• Identification of common nursery weeds
• Knowledge of the propagation of plants

• The use of biological control methods on plants

Behavioural Competencies

• Ability to work positively as part of a team and to engage with all personnel in the workplace.
• Excellent communicator facilitating a two-way flow of information.
• Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.
• Demonstrates initiative and is self-motivated.
• Demonstrates a strong attention to detail and takes personal pride in their work.
• Demonstrates a positive approach to new challenges.
• Demonstrates a high level of ownership and commitment to the job.
• Flexible with an ability to adapt to changing requirements/priorities.
• Have strong self-motivation and an ability to work unsupervised.

OtherAs this role will involve driving vehicles, candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.Note: The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.

Expected salary

€35428 – 39619 per year

Location

Piltown, Co Kilkenny

Job date

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 07:25:37 GMT

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