Apiculture Officer (SOG/ST 6) - Bodles

JOB PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Chief Plant Protection Officer (SOG/ST 7), the Apiculture Officer (SOG/ST 6), is responsible for providing beekeeping extension services to beekeepers, ensures that all beekeepers adhere to laws and standards in keeping with the Beekeeper Act and undertakes research activities to alleviate pests, diseases and develop resistant strains of bees. 

KEY OUTPUTS

• Apiaries inspected and monitored 
• Apiaries Register updated 
• Beekeepers registered and trained 
• Activity projects and community groups monitored 
• Honey analyzed 
• Bee products developed 
• Bees and pest specimens collected, analyzed and identified 
• Port of entry monitored for imported bees 
• Pesticide use monitored 
• Extension aids prepared 
• Unit’s database update with flora data 
• Project proposals prepared 
• Reports prepared 

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Management/Administrative Responsibilities 

• Supervises and monitors activities on group projects 
• Inspects all apiaries and beehives of selected individuals 
• Prepares project proposals for group submission to enable grants to beekeeping industry 
• Monitors ports of entry for imported bee swarms 
• Mounts beekeeping exhibits at agricultural show and other venues

Technical/Professional Responsibilities 

• Inspects quarantined apiaries 
• Registers all apiaries within the island 
• Registers all Beekeepers 
• Conducts individual and group training and subsequent follow up training
• Identifies areas of research and liaises between researchers and beekeepers
• Liaises with beekeepers and institutions of learning and provide technical support on beekeeping related matters 
• Monitors the use of pesticides approved for use within the industry
• Prepares beekeeping extension aids 
• Collects specimens of suspected pests, bees and bee products for laboratory analyses and scientific identification 
• Identifies and selects special traits/characteristics of bee stock for breeding programme 
• Collects monthly floral data on bee nectar sources for the unit’s database 

Other responsibilities 

• Performs any other related functions assigned from time to time 

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Apiaries are inspected in accordance with guidelines stipulated within the agreed time frame 
• Training conducted consistently in accordance with established standard to increase honey production 
• Monthly reports prepared to meet requested time line 
• Honey samples collected and analyzed and information sent to beekeepers within given time period 
• Pesticides are monitored to ensure that there is no residue level in the honey
• Beekeeper and apiaries registers and Unit’s flora data updated within the agreed timeframe 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core 

• Good oral and written communication skills 
• Good interpersonal skills 
• Managing the client interface 
• Team work and cooperation skills 
• Strong customer and quality focus skills 
• Good problem solving and decision making skills 
• Good conflict management skills 

Technical 

• Sound knowledge in apiculture 
• Excellent knowledge of extension methodologies 
• Good knowledge of research methodology 
• Good knowledge of the Beekeeper Act
• Knowledge of the operations of Government / Knowledge of the Ministry’s policies and procedures 
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications 

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Diploma in agriculture in which apiculture is an area of study 
• Five (5) years experience in a related area 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

• Work environment includes hot and humid conditions 
• Exposure to harmful chemicals 
• Exposure to regular bee stings 
• Extended working hours 
• Daily travelling between apiaries 
• Smokey environment 
• Often off-track in unfamiliar and high risk areas 

AUTHORITY

• Nil

Please note that we thank all for responding, but only short-listed applicants will be contacted