Overview of the 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 Departments 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
Backweston Farm is situated outside Leixlip in Co Kildare and consists primarily of crops on approximately 100 hectares. It is the headquarters for the Crop Policy, Evaluation and Certification Division (CPECD) within DAFM. CPECD is responsible for the official field and laboratory trials for the Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) of newly developed varieties of agricultural crop species. Each year, newly bred crop varieties for a range of crops are submitted by European and world plant breeders for evaluation in official Department trials. The best performing varieties are communicated to farmers by way of Recommended Lists.
Longtown Farm is situated outside Clane in Co Kildare and consists of primarily livestock on approximately 114 hectares. It is unique in Ireland in providing for bio-containment of animals of minimal disease status and of known infected status. The facilities provide for the veterinary research of pathogenesis of infectious disease and the host response. The farm is licensed by the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA). It hosts a suckler herd, beef cattle, and sheep, along with pigs, poultry and horses. Longtown Farms primary function is to support and assist the Departments Veterinary Laboratory Divisions and other veterinary Divisions in their work.
Vacancies
The Department currently has one vacancy for the role of Craft Worker (Agricultural Mechanic State Industrial Grade) - Kildare in the Crop Policy, Evaluation and Certification Division at Backweston Farm. The successful candidate will be headquartered at Backweston Farm, but may on occasion be required to temporarily work on Longtown Farm or travel to outside DAFM sites, as required by management.
Following an assessment process, candidates who achieve the qualifying standard will be placed on an Order of Merit from which appointments will be made. The post will be offered to the candidate ranked first and, if refused, to the remaining candidates in sequence until the post is filled. The Order of Merit will remain in place for a period of up to two years from the date of the first appointment, or until exhausted. The Order of Merit may be used to fill further vacancies, if any, that arise during that period at Backweston Farm or at Longtown Farm.
Candidates who accept an offer of appointment will receive no further offers relating to this competition. Candidates who refuse an offer of appointment to a specific location will retain their placing on the order of merit but forfeit their right to be offered any further appointment to that location.
Temporary Vacancies
In the event that temporary vacancies for this post arise during the lifetime of the Order of Merit, the Department reserves the right to offer such temporary posts on the basis of the results of this competition. Candidates who accept such a temporary post retain their placing on the Order of Merit and the acceptance of such a temporary appointment in no way interferes with the normal process of appointing candidates to permanent posts that may arise.
Job Specification
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
The role of Craft Worker (Agricultural Mechanic) primarily involves the maintenance, upkeep and repair of the Departments farm vehicles, machinery and equipment, contributing to the safe and efficient completion of the Crop Policy, Evaluation and Certification Divisions variety trialling and other crop work.
The following list, which is not exhaustive, sets out the broad range of duties that may be required to be undertaken by a Craft Worker (Agricultural Mechanic) appointed to the position:
- Carrying out maintenance, preventative maintenance, repairs and servicing to vehicles, machinery and equipment.
- Carrying out modifications, fabrication, assembly and installation on farm vehicles, machinery and equipment for specific purposes relating to work carried out by the Department.
- Conducting appropriate inspections, checks, testing and operation of vehicles, machinery and equipment and recording details of same.
- Co-ordinating and assisting outside contractors for major repairs and specialist servicing.
- Supporting management in the procurement of new vehicles, machinery and equipment.
- Maintaining a safe workshop and to keep working areas clean and tidy.
- Ensuring the maintenance, safekeeping and good working order of all plant, tools, equipment and materials on Backweston Farm and to carry out the appropriate inspections, checks and recording of same.
- Continuous upskilling and maintenance of qualifications as required e.g., Specialist machinery maintenance, driving licences, and Health & Safety, etc..
- Supporting the maintenance and general upkeep of farm property and structures, including helping to carry out modifications, fabrication, assembly and installation works.
- Compliance with all relevant Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations and attendance and participation in toolbox talks, Health and Safety meetings, and other events organised by DAFM.
- Assisting with Farm Health and Safety Risk Assessments and implementation of recommendations.
- Operating tractors, combine harvesters, road vehicles and associated farm equipment and machinery when required, particularly during busy periods.
- Attaining appropriate training such as the use of GPS technology, Plant Protection Product (PPP) User training, relevant driving licences etc., and continuance of accreditation, as required.
- Any other duties which may be required from time to time, as directed.
Reporting Relationship
The Craft Worker (Agricultural Mechanic) reports to the Farm Manager and to any other person to whom authority has been delegated and/or assigned
Person Specification
Essential Requirements
Candidates must, on or before the closing date of 2nd September 2026 have:
- A recognised qualification in Agricultural Mechanics or Agricultural Mechanisation at a minimum of NFQ Level 6, or equivalent. Note: If an apprenticeship was served in achieving this qualification, evidence of exams completed successfully is necessary and should be submitted with the application.
- Relevant experience with commercial and/or agricultural vehicles, machinery and equipment, and experience in workshop welding and fabrication.
- A full driving licence for cars and tractors (licence categories B and W). (At date of offer)
- While an articulated lorry licence (Category CE) is not an essential requirement, the successful applicant must be willing to undergo the relevant training for such a license for the transport of machinery to outside sites.
SOLAS Construction Skills Certification Schemes (CSCS) cards or equivalent or training certificates as described in a minimum of three of the following:
- First Aid
- Manual Handling
- Abrasive Wheels Training
- Chainsaw Safe Handling and Maintenance
- Confined Space
- Welding (ARC/TIG/MIG)
- Managing Safety in Construction
- Slinger/Signaller
- Teleporter
- Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP)
- Other relevant training
Desirable Requirements
- Experience operating agricultural tractors and equipment
- Experience with the operations of a tillage farm
- A formal qualification in welding
- Driving licence in categories BE / C / CE
- Good IT skills
Documentary evidence of the qualification which verifies how you meet the essential requirements must be attached with your application.
Competencies
Applicants should have all the attributes required of a Craft Worker (Agricultural Mechanic) 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 Craft Worker (Agricultural Mechanic) as identified in the following competency framework:
- Skills and experience working with Agricultural equipment
- Experience and Knowledge of an Agricultural Environment
- Team working, Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Delivery of Results
- Health and Safety
Note: All qualifications deemed essential for this role must be verified through the submission of relevant awards. In the case of non-essential qualifications, a number of candidates who are called forward to the final stage of the assessment process will be selected randomly and required to submit evidence of one or more such qualifications.
Candidates should note that admission to the competition does not imply that they meet the eligibility criteria. Therefore, candidates should satisfy themselves that they meet the eligibility criteria for this competition.
Application Process
How to Apply
Only Online Applications can be made and should be submitted via the Apply Now button.
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 noon on Wednesday 2nd September 2026
All queries relating to this recruitment campaign should be directed to [email protected] with the subject heading Craft Worker (Agricultural Mechanic) - Kildare
