Sheep Scab Technical Officer

Salary: £30,465 - £32,538 / year

Sheep Scab Technical Officer
Application Deadline: 9 October 2024

Department: Agriculture

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Gelli Aur Campus

Reporting To: Animal Health & Welfare Wales - Programme Manager

Compensation: £30,465 - £32,538 / year

DescriptionThe post provides an exciting and challenging opportunity for a pro-active and innovative person. The college wishes to employ a Technical Officer for the Animal Health & Welfare Wales - Eradicating Sheep Scab in Wales Programme which has been funded by the Welsh Government. The overall aim of the project is to deliver a Wales sheep scab eradication programme. This will involve working with sheep farmers and liaising with their vets to diagnose the presence of active scab. Working with groups of farmers in hot spots to agree the most suitable time for treatment using mobile contract sheep dippers. Costs of dipping infected farms will be fully funded by the programme. Monitoring the levels of farmer participation with the programme and answering questions and queries from farmers regarding the programme in general or their specific results.

Travel will include visiting sheep farms registered on the programme and also to the programme hub at Gelli Aur.

Main Responsibilities

• Be the contact point for farmers in your area to discuss and report sheep scab infection to;
• Work with vets to diagnose the presence of active scab;
• Liaise with farmers and mobile contract sheep dippers and organise dipper visits to treat all sheep on the infected farms;
• Ensure that records of activity and reports are being maintained to Welsh Government audit standards;
• Be present at local sheep shows and sales.

Skills Knowledge and ExpertiseEssential Criteria:

• A wide experience of both hill and lowland sheep farming in Wales
• Experience of working with farmers and the ability to communicate and, when required, negotiate solutions
• Using spreadsheets/databases
• Good understanding and experience of Microsoft Office
• Relevant qualification, at level 3
• GCSE English and Mathematics at minimum Grade C or O Level equivalent
• Good communicator with diplomacy and tact
• Good analytical skills
• Good interpersonal and organisational skills
• Ability to work harmoniously with colleagues
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality

Welsh Language Requirements:

• Welsh Oracy (Listening/Speaking) - Level 2/3
• Welsh Literacy (Writing/Reading) - Level 1/2

See detailed language descriptions attached.

Persons are welcome to apply for posts in Welsh and applications made in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

Coleg Sir Gar | Coleg Ceredigion reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high volume of sufficient applications. As a result, we advise all applicants to apply as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment.

For a full job description, please click attached.

Benefits

• You will receive 28 days holiday, plus bank holidays and five closure days which totals at 41 days holiday per year. You also receive an additional 4 days after 5 years service.
• Extremely generous pension scheme with employer contributions of 20%.
• Award-winning professional learning and development programme.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free on-site car parking
• Online and instore retail discounts