Summary We're looking for a Farm Worker to join our team at South Downs West.
You'll be supporting with livestock operations, which are managed by in hand by the National Trust. Working as part of the Farm & Countryside Team, we want you to provide the practical and technical skills to support with the daily care of our beef cattle and flock of sheep.
This is a full-time role, working on an on-call rota.
Interviews will be held on the 4th of July.
What it's like to work here
You'll report to the Farm Manager and work closely with the Ranger team. We collaborate closely with three countryside rangers to manage the estate sustainably. You'll work with the Ranger team, achieving nature conservation targets and run the livestock along side some exciting species reintroductions
We're also joining the Pasture for Life accreditation, giving us opportunities to attend some of the events that they organise. They also offer mentorship, which we can support if there was interest from you. We're flexible with how we work, so if you had a passion for showing livestock, you could also have an opportunity to do so.
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What you'll be doing
You'll carry out daily checks of our livestock across many sites in the South Downs West. We care for the livestock that sculpt the natural landscape and ensure high welfare standards are adhered to. Conservation grazing is important to maintain natural habitats and increase biodiversity. The use of our livestock ensures the removal of vegetation gradually as opposed to mechanical removal.
A hands on approach is important and essential to the role, and experience moving and handling livestock is a must. The nature of our system relies on temporary fencing and regularly moving the stock to new grazing parcels.
Your role will include a lot of driving, as we have sites dotted around Surrey and Sussex. Our cattle and sheep are checked once a day everyday so a fair amount of your role can involve driving around checking livestock.
Visitor engagement is also important, answering any questions the public may have about the use of livestock for nature conservation.
Who we're looking for
We'd love to hear from you if you have:
- experience handling both cattle and sheep
- an understanding of farm habitats, water quality and soil health
- basic plant and wildlife identification skills
- basic animal husbandry skills
- ability to communicate effectively at various levels skills
- knowledge of Health and Safety
- competence with machinery/equipment such as tractors and loaders
- a full UK driving licence
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Tax-free childcare scheme
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Season ticket loan
- EV car lease scheme
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most Trust places
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.