Jobs
Old Irish Goat Society Recruitment
Due to growth within our project, and the growing demand for Conservation Grazing Projects the Old Irish Goat Society is commencing a recruitment process to expand our team at various locations around the country. We hope to create a panel of full-time and part-time Goat Herders and Apprentices to support conservation grazing projects on Howth Head and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown at present, and for prospective projects currently in development around the country.
The purpose of our project and mission is to offer a gentler holistic management of vulnerable landscapes and habitats by using our primitive breed to reduce gorse, graze fire breaks, control invasive-species, manage heritage sites and to restore and foster more structurally-diverse habitats.
For the right candidates this is an exciting opportunity to get involved with a project that has received recognition and awards for its climate resilient strategy, and its recognised benefit in land-restoration. It is a unique and rewarding opportunity to work with these fascinating and charismatic primitive animals.
Appointment to this post will be subject to satisfactory references. All applications MUST include a CV with cover letter. Closing date: Friday June 28th 2024 Please email details to [email protected]
Please Click on the roles below for role description and experience criteria
Goat Herder – Project & Herd Manager
The Goat Herder is responsible for collaborating with Local Authorities, Biodiversity Officers, and landowners to design and implement year-round grazing strategies. Core responsibilities include Animal-Care, herd health, stock transport, breeding program implementation, grazing management, public engagements and reporting oversight.
Essential Criteria:
1. Min 5 years’ experience in goatkeeping, hill-sheep farming or working with large animals, experience in goat keeping is an added advantage.
2. Good knowledge of goat husbandry and herding skills.
3. A strong ethic to uphold and develop the highest standards of animal care.
4. Excellent project-management and organisational skills,
5. An ability to coordinate and communicate effectively with a diverse range of people. The role will include public and client liaison.
6. Practical problem-solving, and resolution-based thinking.
7. Flexibility and drive to attend training courses, workshops or events and up-skill.
8. Aptitude for management of allocated budget & experience with procurement.
9. Willingness to travel, and flexibility with supporting other aspects of national herd management.
10. A full, clean driving license and access to a reliable vehicle. A trailer license will be a requirement.
11. Prepared to live in the area.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience working or volunteering in the nature conservation or farming sector.
- A passion and enthusiasm for working in a farm setting, working with animals and the natural environment to conserve wildlife.
- The skills and confidence to capture and share your experiences either in writing in a blog/ diary or by photograph and video.
- A willingness and desire to upskill and engage with ongoing training. Welcome supervision and advice.
- A farming, animal care, landscape management, or other relevant qualifications, 3rd-level qualification or otherwise would be an advantage.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office and data management software.
The role can be described as follows:
1. Herding and managing the goats and transporting them to various grazing sites
2. Grazing site selection and habitat management using grazing combined with practical activities (digging out young rhododendron plants or Bracken control).
3. Monitor the health of the herd and carry out the necessary animal welfare treatments.
4. Liaison with residents, the public, and local Authority Biodiversity Officers and stakeholder groups
5. Maintenance of the paddocks (fencing etc) and base station
6. Maintaining the national herd book database
7. The purchase of materials and consumables
8. Management of the annual breeding program
9. Operation of the NoFence virtual fencing technology
10. Writing reports and participating in public engagements and presentations
Old Irish Goat Herder Salary:
Goat Herder Salary €40,000-€45,000 depending on qualifications and experience
Closing date: Friday June 28th 2024
All applications MUST include a CV with cover letter. Please email details to [email protected]
Appointment to this post will be subject to satisfactory references
Role: Apprentice Herder
The OIG Herder Apprentices will be responsible for assisting with implementation of grazing projects, monitoring herd health and welfare and participating in public engagements and reporting oversight.
While we have a full-time role for an Apprentice Herder in North and South Dublin, there are also some prospective seasonal contract terms for shorter term grazing projects around the country. The duration of these projects is usually but not exclusively 1 to 6 month periods. We also hope to create a panel of suitable candidates who we will train and prepare for future grazing projects.
Essential Criteria:
1. Strong interest in goat management and herding. Experience an advantage.
2. The ability to work outdoors in all seasons, in a ‘hands-on’, practical manner.
3. Aptitude for problem solving
4. A willingness and desire to learn new skills. Welcome supervision and advice.
5. Good planning and organisational skills
6. The ability to work as part of a team and take initiative.
7. An ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people.
8. Flexibility and drive to attend training courses, workshops or events and up-skill.
9. A valid driving license and access to a reliable vehicle, a trailer license would be an advantage.
10. Prepared to live in the area.
Desirable Criteria:
• Experience working or volunteering in the nature conservation or farming sector.
• The skills and confidence to capture and share your experiences either in writing in a blog/ diary or by photograph and video.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and data management software.
• Prepared to upskill in goat husbandry and herding skills.
•. A passion and enthusiasm for working in a farm setting, working with animals and the natural environment to conserve wildlife.
•. A farming qualification or relevant 3rd-level qualification would be an advantage.
The role can be described as follows:
• Herding & managing the goats and assisting in transporting them to various grazing sites
• Assisting in habitat management using grazing combined with practical management activities (digging out young rhododendron plants or Bracken control)
• Monitor the health of the herd and assist with carrying out the necessary animal welfare treatments.
• Liaising with residents and visitors
• Assisting with the maintenance of the paddocks (fencing etc), and farming utilities.
• Assisting the Herder/Project manager with the annual breeding program
• Use of NoFence virtual fencing collars on stock and paddock creation
Supports:
The role includes training and hands-on work experience, which will support career development in nature conservation/farming.
Old Irish Goat Apprentice Salary:
Goat Herder Apprentice €23,200 per annum.
Closing date: Friday June 28th 2024.
All applications MUST include a CV with cover letter. Please email details to [email protected]
Appointment to this post will be subject to satisfactory references.