Competition for appointment to the position of Catchment Agricultural Scientist - Waters of Life Integrated Project

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is inviting applications for the above position on the EU Waters of LIFE Integrated Project.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is the Government Department responsible for housing and water, physical and spatial planning, local government, weather forecasting and for conserving and managing Ireland’s unique heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.

The European Union’s EU LIFE programme is part of the EU’s funding for environment and climate action.

The Waters of LIFE Integrated Project aims to help reverse the loss of Ireland’s most pristine rivers. The ongoing loss of high status rivers is among the most concerning, protracted and persistent water quality trend in Ireland. The project will establish a demonstration project to develop, test and validate effective measures to reverse this declining trend.

A total of six project catchments have been selected: five test catchments and one control catchment. Part of selecting suitable catchments and measures will be encouraging multiple benefits for climate action and biodiversity. The project will include a ‘Results Based Agri-environmental Payment Scheme’ (RBAPS) for participating landowners. Engaging and communicating with stakeholders and the public will be an important element of the project.

The project team will operate as a separate intact team for the duration of the project. The Team will work in close cooperation with other River Basin Management Plan projects and implementation bodies such as the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and the Local Authorities’ Blue Dot Catchment Programme. The project is expected to run until March 2028.

Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage

The Catchment Agricultural Scientist will will be based in the Shournagh catchment or The Awbeg (Kilbrin) in Co. Cork, at locations to be agreed with the project manager. Candidates will be asked to identify their preferred catchment(s) in the application form. The main project office is located in Tipperary Town, County Tipperary and the successful candidates will be required to attend meetings at this location from time to time.

The co-ordinating section of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Water Division is located in the Custom House, Dublin and the successful candidate may also be required to attend meetings there occasionally.

The catchment agricultural scientists will be required to travel to other demonstration catchments from time to time to assist in catchment assessments and developing mitigation plans.

The closing date for applications is 5 PM on Friday 02nd May 2025

Applicants should submit completed application forms to recruitment@housing.gov.ie

Please note: Only applications submitted on the official application form will be considered.