Dairy Herdsperson

Salary

£31,304 - £34,231 (A33 - A36). Per Annum.

Contractual hours

48

Basis

Full time

Package

35 days annual leave, bank holidays, two-week festive closure, free parking, generous pension scheme with 20.8% employer contribution, on site gym membership available, Pluxee reward scheme plus other benefits

Job category/type

Support Staff

Date posted

15/12/2025

Job reference

R101855

Job Title: Dairy Herdsperson

Status: Permanent, 48 hours per week

Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 4th January 2026

Assessment Centre Date: W/C 19th January 2026

Overview

Reaseheath College, one of the UK's leading land-based colleges with over 100 years of excellence, is seeking a dedicated and experienced Dairy Herdsperson to join our progressive farm team.

Our award-winning farm is a centre of excellence for agricultural education and innovation, supporting a 300-head pedigree Holstein and Ayrshire dairy herd, sheep, and arable enterprises. With cutting-edge facilities including a GEA rapid exit parlour, Lely A5 robotic milkers, and a Lely Vector feeding system, we are proud to be at the forefront of UK land-based education and farming innovation.

About the role

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Dairy Herdsperson to support the day-to-day care and management of our dairy herd and youngstock. Reporting to the Dairy Herd Manager, you will play a vital role in maintaining high standards of animal welfare, herd health, and milk production.

Your responsibilities will include milking, feeding, bedding, and general livestock husbandry, as well as assisting with health checks, calving, and youngstock rearing. You will ensure compliance with all legislative and quality assurance standards and contribute to the smooth running of the dairy unit.

In addition to your practical duties, you will support the academic team by demonstrating best practice and mentoring students during practical sessions, helping to develop their skills and knowledge. You will also have the opportunity to work with modern technologies and systems, supporting the farm's commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities:

• Carry out daily milking, feeding, bedding, and general herd care to maintain animal welfare and milk hygiene.
• Assist with herd health tasks, including AI, foot trimming, and administering treatments.
• Support youngstock rearing by following feeding and health protocols and keeping accurate records.
• Ensure compliance with legislative and assurance standards, maintaining hygiene across all areas.
• Demonstrate best practice during student practicals and actively support their learning.

The successful candidate will:

• Practical experience in dairy cattle care, including milking and general husbandry.
• Knowledge of herd health practices such as AI, foot trimming, and administering treatments.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and follow strict protocols.
• Strong commitment to animal welfare and compliance with industry standards.
• Familiarity with modern dairy technology (e.g., robotic milking) and willingness to support student learning.

We can offer you:

• 35 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• A two-week festive/New Year shut down
• Generous pension scheme with an employer contribution of 20.8%
• Enhanced sick pay of up to 6 months full pay depending upon service
• On site gym membership available
• Pluxee reward scheme
• Free Parking

For more information, please refer to the additional job description.

Please note this role constitutes 'regulated activity' as defined by the Protection of Freedom Act 2012. The successful candidate will therefore be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check with barred list information prior to starting employment. You must also have the right to work in the UK and will be required to provide evidence to support this. In addition, online checks will be carried out during the recruitment process. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Reaseheath College is committed to achieving its public sector general equality duty, which is set out in the Equality Act 2010. The College has a clear mission and clear values, which incorporate equality, diversity and inclusion.

The College staff recruitment and selection process, CPD processes, policies and practice are designed to ensure that when employment decisions are made, they are based solely on the skills and qualities required for the position and comply with all relevant employment legislation and best practice standards.

Disability Support

The College is a Disability Confident Employer and will support any reasonable adjustments you require to perform your best during the recruitment process. You can contact the HR team at should you require any adjustments during either your application or during the assessment centre.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised close date if we receive a sufficient number of applications.

We do not accept applications or speculative CVs through recruitment agencies.