Archaeologist

Overview of the Department

The role of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is to provide advice to Government and to implement policy in relation to matters relating to the agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry sectors. Its functions extend from developing policy, including through engagement with EU and international institutions, to providing income and other supports and regulating the agri-food sector. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is at the forefront of these exciting developments as it implements its mission to ‘to lead, enable and regulate the sector in a way that optimises its contribution to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, ensuring food safety, public health and animal health and welfare’.

Vacancies

The Department currently has two immediate vacancies for the post of Archaeologist. These posts will be located in Dublin.

It is planned to interview potential candidates to fill these vacancies. Following an assessment process, candidates who achieve the qualifying standard will be placed on an Order of Merit and assigned to fill vacancies as they arise. While it is anticipated that only two appointments will be made as a result of this competition, the Order of Merit remains in force for a period of up to two years from the date of the first appointment or until exhausted, and will be used to fill further vacancies, if any, that may arise during that period.

Candidates who refuse an offer of appointment to a specific location will retain their placing on the panel 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

The Department seeks to employ an Archaeologist. The successful candidates will be attached to the Department’s Forest Service and will be responsible for providing advice on the protection of archaeological heritage in the context of the development of forestry in Ireland.

The Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for ensuring the development of forestry within Ireland in a manner and to a scale that maximizes its contribution to national socio-economic well-being on a sustainable basis that is compatible with the protection of the environment. Amongst other things this includes responsibility for national forestry policy, promotion of afforestation, administration of planting and other forestry grant schemes, forest protection, control of felling and promotion of research in forestry and forest produce.

Principal duties

• To assess initial afforestation or forest road development proposals or felling licence applications where they have the potential to impact on archaeological sites, monuments or features and to provide advice and recommendations in respect of the protection of such archaeological sites, monuments or features;

• To carry out site inspections in connection with imposed archaeological conditions to ensure adherence to conditions and where appropriate to ensure proper archaeological standards are being applied;

• To analyse technical information on archaeological sites, monuments or features where presented in environmental impact statements and to prepare reports concerning the development proposals and the associated archaeological issues where required in the environmental impact assessment process;

• To assist senior management in the assessment of draft forestry circulars, guidelines, scheme documents, plans etc. in respect of their archaeological content and to advise the Minister accordingly;

• To work closely with senior management and all other relevant staff and provide support for the implementation of the afforestation programme to the best environmental standards;

• To provide specialist archaeological advice on specific policy issues as required;

• To assist senior management in engaging and consultation with other Government Departments and Agencies, environmental and cultural heritage NGOs, and the general public;

• To prepare and deliver internal and external training courses or assist therein, as required; and

• Any other duties appropriate to the grade as the Minister may decide.

Working Environment:

Work will be a mix of office and outdoors depending on the duties assigned. Outdoor work may involve travel to various parts of the country on official duties. Approved travel is paid for at the appropriate standard official rates.

Person Specification:

Essential Requirements Candidates must, on or before 7th January 2026:

• Hold a minimum of a Level 8 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications (Honours Bachelor Degree level) in Archaeology

or

• A qualification that is acceptable to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as being at least equivalent;

And have:

• At least three years’ satisfactory working experience as a professional archaeologist including assessing and evaluating archaeological sites and archaeological excavation, such experience having been gained after attaining their Level 8 qualification and not including time spent in post-graduate study;

• A full driving licence and/or access to a car (at date of offer)

• Demonstrate that they possess the required standard in the competencies identified as being important for the role as set out below.

Competencies

Applicants should have all the attributes required of an Archaeologist 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 Archaeologist as identified in the following competency framework.

1. Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

2. Analysis & Decision Making

3. Interpersonal and Communication Skills

4. Drive & Commitment

5. Delivery of Results

6. Leadership Potential

Application and Selection Process

How to Apply

Only Online Applications can be made and should be submitted via the Apply Now button below.

All sections of the form must be fully completed.

Closing Date

Your application must be submitted online no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 7th January 2026.

All queries relating to this recruitment campaign should be directed to [email protected] with the subject heading - ‘Archaeologist 2026’.

Application acknowledgements:

All applications received will be acknowledged within 5 working days of the competition closing date. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within the 5 working days, please contact [email protected]

Applications will not be accepted after the closing date.