Job Opportunities

Job title: Seasonal Field Surveyors

Background

ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme) is the national Agri-environment climate measure (AECM) that is available to over 50,000 farmers throughout Ireland currently. Using a habitats-based approach, delivered through a mix of results-based and prescriptive actions, ACRES aims to achieve improved biodiversity, climate, air and water quality outcomes. Through a hybrid payment model farmers are rewarded and incentivised to maintain and enhance the environmental condition of their farms. There are two approaches under the scheme:

• an ACRES General approach offering a range of measures for individual farmers (both targeted and general); and

• an ACRES Co-operation approach, available to farmers in eight high-priority geographical areas, who opt to undertake measures, as well as bespoke farm, and landscape actions.

Farmers participating in the Co-operation approach have the assistance of a Local Co-operation Project (CP) Team, who assist with the implementation of the scheme at the local level. Inishowen Farm Innovations in partnership with the Inishowen Development Partnership have been appointed to fulfil the roll of the local CP team for Donegal, referred to as the Donegal Co-operation Project.

Job Description

The primary role of the Field Surveyors is to support the CP Team to assess the habitat condition of commonage lands across Donegal. This will involve a rapid assessment using one of several habitat scorecards as previously used by other results-based agri-environmental programmes. The aim of the assessment is to determine the habitat score of each commonage parcel which will in turn determine the payment level to farmers. Field Surveyors will assist with the assessment of commonage farmland on a seasonal contract running to at least September 2024.

The role will also involve actively engaging with farmers to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the opportunities available to them through the scheme and to encourage their active participation with a view to achieving better environmental outcomes that are most relevant and beneficial to the environmental targets of the local area. The job is an opportunity for somebody motivated to promote farming practices that maintain and enhance the environmental quality of Donegal’s farming landscape. 

The surveyors will be fully trained in habitat survey techniques and the use of GPS enabled devices in the capture of field data. The work will be mostly outdoors with some time also given to data review and desktop survey planning.

Location

Field Surveyors will be assigned to different local areas within the Donegal CP area which entails an area stretching from southwest Donegal to Inishowen. The role will be largely field based working in remote locations of the county. Some occasional office work will be required with a hybrid working arrangement between home and the local project office depending on project needs.

Responsibilities and Duties

The main duty in the post will be to assist the CP team in the field and support results-based score card assessment on Commonage farmland. Walkover surveys of coastal, peatland and upland habitats will be undertaken and survey data recorded using digital devices operating GIS software in the field with follow up data entry in the office. Liaison with landowners will be required. A full list of duties is available to download on the Job Description.

Requirements

•       Working towards a degree in agriculture, ecology or related discipline is desirable however other non-degree qualifications may be considered for experienced candidates.

•       A full clean driver’s licence.

•       Applicants should have understanding and interest in agriculture / ecology / agri-environmental sectors.

•       Knowledge of farmland and upland habitats (peatland & grassland) and their indicator species.

A full list of qualifications, experience and skills is available to download on the Job Description.