Farm Worker

We're looking for a Farm Worker to assist and support the National Trust’s in-hand Livestock operations. 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. Grazing management, tractor skills and experience with trailers is essential.

**This is a full time role, working on an on-call rota.
**Interviews will be held on the 24th April.**

What it's like to work here:The South Downs West is located in the South Downs National Park and covering parts or West Sussex and Surrey. The portfolio has rare habitats from Chalk grassland to Lowland heath. We graze these sites with Sussex and Belted Galloway cattle and have a small flock of South Down and Herdwick sheep. All our stock are out grazing all year onsite and all our winter forage made on site under High Level Stewardship and Countryside Stewardship agreements. Our livestock are sold to local butchers and generates important income to help conserve the enterprise. We run the livestock on a low input system and are hoping to gain Pasture For Life accreditation soon.

You'll report to the Farm Manager and work closely with the Ranger team. The farm team are an experienced and supportive bunch of eight, working the arable and livestock farm, and open farm with horses, including Shire horses. We collaborate closely with three countryside rangers to manager the estate sustainably. The working farm has had Organic Farmers & Growers accreditation for over 15 years and is a Nation Trust flagship for conservation practices.

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What you'll be doing:The Livestock Role will be expected to 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 ensure the removal of vegetation gradually as opposed to mechanical removal.

A hands on approach is important and essential to the job 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.

Visitor engagement is important as well. Answering any questions the public may have about the use of livestock for nature conservation.

Who we're looking forWe'd love to hear from you, if you have:

- experience handling cattle and sheep
- basic animal husbandry skills
- competence with machinery/equipment such as tractors and loaders
- ability to communicate effectively at various levels skills
- knowledge of Health and Safety
- an understanding of farm habitats, water quality and soil health
- basic plant and wildlife identification skills

The packageThe 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
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most Trust places
- Independent financial advice

Requirements :Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Permanent f/t (37.5 hrs pw)