GIS Project Officer

Job Opportunities

ACRES – Donegal Co-operation Project

Recruitment of GIS Project Officer.

Introduction

Inishowen Farm Innovations in partnership with Inishowen Development Partnership have been contracted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to operate one of the eight Co-operation Projects that are established as part of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. Due to the unprecedented interest and large volume of farmers accepted into the ACRES scheme we are now expanding our team and are currently recruiting a number of project officers to work as part of the project team across all areas of Donegal. GIS Project officers will play a key role in delivering this results-based agri-environmental scheme where farmers are rewarded and incentivised to provide positive environmental outcomes throughout the high nature value landscapes of Donegal.

Background

ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme) is the new national agri-environment climate measure (AECM) that will be available to over 46,000 farmers throughout Ireland from 2023. 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 will be 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 will have the assistance of a Local Co-operation Project (CP) Team, who will 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 GIS Project Officer is to support CP team farmers and farm advisors in Donegal throughout the delivery of the ACRES scheme with all tasks related to GIS and data management.

The role will involve management of the project database, managing all data relating to the Donegal CP zone, supporting the CP team in data collection, management and analysis activities; data design and management for ecological GIS mapping, monitoring, reporting, and tracking of required and implemented conservation actions.

Location

The GIS Project officer will be assigned to an office location based in Donegal however a hybrid working arrangement between home and the local project office will be available depending on project needs.

Duties and responsibilities

• Providing GIS support for the CP team throughout the project
• Providing high-quality mapping outputs based on survey data.
• Acting as a key point of contact and team lead for GIS.
• You will be a central point of contact in the team for queries relating to GIS, mapping templates, formatting, tools etc.
• Main point of contact between farmers and the project team.
• Screening farm actions proposed by farm advisors (includes non-productive investments and landscape actions).
• Assisting in providing agri-environmental advice and support to participant farmers.
• Liaise with and provide support to farm advisors.
• Coordinate and deliver training events to farmers and farm advisors.
• Carrying out mapping of habitats for baseline data if required.
• Liaise with local and regional stakeholders and interested parties on the project.
• Work closely with the wider project team.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Project Manager.

The ideal candidate

This role would be ideally suited to someone who wishes to develop a career in the growing agri-environmental/ GIS sector. The ideal candidate should have excellent communication and organisational skills, and a keen interest in GIS, the environment and agriculture.

Qualifications and Experience - Minimum Requirements

• A minimum of 1 – 3 years of experience using GIS.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Knowledge and experience of database products and their application to GIS solutions including the implementation of spatial databases using GeoDatabase schema methods.
• Experience in manipulating digital mapping data and a sound knowledge of mapping concepts, e.g. grids, projections, transformations, generalisation, accuracy, precision, etc.
• Good knowledge of a variety of GIS software and applications (ArcPro, QGIS, Survey123, Q-Field etc.) and how best to apply them.
• A full clean driver’s licence.

Qualifications and experience - Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification.
• Knowledge of farmland and upland habitats (peatland & grassland) and their indicator species.
• Knowledge and experience relevant to agriculture policy in Ireland.
• Knowledge and awareness of agri-environmental schemes such as REPS, GLAS, REAP, Inishowen Uplands EIP, Curlew EIP etc.

Skills and Characteristics

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills and characteristics

• Excellent communication skills.
• Self-motivated and have a proven ability to work under their own initiative.
• Have a positive, enthusiastic, pragmatic, solution driven, and flexible approach to work.
• A willingness to actively participate as part of a wider multidisciplinary team.
• An ability to manage their own workload, ensuring that work is carried out safely, on schedule, and to a high standard.
• Ability to consider health and safety issues when working in the field and take appropriate action as necessary.

Salary and Employment Details

GIS Project Officers will be employed on a full-time fixed term contract basis. The contract period is expected to run until 2027, and may be extended annually there-after, subject to continuing funding and needs of the project. Opportunities for continued professional development and training are envisaged. Start date will be dependent on qualifications and experience.

Starting salary: Dependent upon experience

Expenses: Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid on a monthly basis. Project Officers will be required to have their own transport.

Other details: I.T/field equipment will be provided. Employer pension contribution.

Annual leave: 20 days per annum.

How to Apply

Please find an application pack at www.acresdonegal.ie/careers

Email CV and application form and contact details of two referees by 4th April 2025 to:

Personnel Manager

ACRES – Donegal Co-operation Project

E-mail: info@acresdonegal.ie

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: €35,000.00-€45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (preferred)

Experience:

• GIS: 2 years (preferred)

Work Location: On the road

Application deadline: 04/04/2025
Reference ID: GIS-2025