Crop Technician
Reaseheath College and University Centre
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Reaseheath College and University Centre in Nantwich (UK) is recruiting a Crop Technician to support the glasshouse and vertical farming facilities. You will perform propagation, pest management, and ensure plant health while assisting with research projects.
The role requires Level 2 Maths & English and a relevant horticultural qualification (Level 3 or equivalent), with experience in a glasshouse. Weekend/evening work may be needed; strong communication and independent work are essential.
Qualifications
- Level 2 Maths & English.
- Relevant horticultural or agricultural qualification (e.g. Level 3 Horticulture or similar).
- Experience in a glasshouse, nursery, or similar horticulture settings.
- Strong plant care knowledge, including pest management.
- Ability to operate and maintain horticultural equipment.
- Occasional weekend or evening work may be required; half - a full day to be worked over the two week Christmas closure.
- A proactive approach with a genuine passion for horticulture and controlled environment agriculture.
- The ability to work independently, prioritise workloads and use initiative.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Support the growth and maintenance of crops in the glasshouse and vertical farm.
- Perform plant husbandry tasks, including watering, pruning, harvesting, and crop rotation.
- Identify and manage pests and diseases using integrated pest management techniques.
- Collaborate with the Crop Production Supervisor on research activities, ensuring accurate monitoring and execution of projects.
- Oversee daily duties to ensure safe and efficient operations within the facilities.
- Deliver sessions or demonstrations on horticulture and controlled environment agriculture to various groups, such as Level 2 horticulture students, school groups, or visitors.
Skills
Education
Job description
Reaseheath College and University Centre is a leading land-based and technical education provider, with a proud history stretching back over 100 years. Our mission is simple: to deliver industry focused, career ready education that transforms lives and supports the future of all our learners - from further education, higher education, apprenticeships and adult courses.
Working at Reaseheath means being part of a supportive, ambitious and values-driven community. Our staff play a vital role in shaping futures, helping our learners develop the skills, confidence and experience they need to succeed in their careers.
We are committed to creating a positive working environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and able to grow. With opportunities for professional development, strong industry links and a collaborative culture, you can build a rewarding career while making a genuine impact.
We now have an exciting opportunity for a Crop Technician to join our Horticulture department. The Crop Technician will support the efficient operation of the glasshouse and vertical farming facilities, working closely with the Crop Production Supervisor. The role involves day-to-day crop production tasks such as propagation, pest management, and ensuring plant health and productivity. The technician will also assist with setting up and monitoring research projects.
This position requires a proactive approach to plant care, strong communication skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a small team. The Crop Technician will actively supervise and mentor work experience students and apprentices, helping them develop practical horticultural skills. Additionally, the technician will contribute to educational support and outreach by delivering sessions and demonstrations on horticulture and controlled environment agriculture.
- Support the growth and maintenance of crops in the glasshouse and vertical farm.
- Perform plant husbandry tasks, including watering, pruning, harvesting, and crop rotation.
- Identify and manage pests and diseases using integrated pest management techniques.
- Collaborate with the Crop Production Supervisor on research activities, ensuring accurate monitoring and execution of projects.
- Oversee daily duties to ensure safe and efficient operations within the facilities.
- Deliver sessions or demonstrations on horticulture and controlled environment agriculture to various groups, such as Level 2 horticulture students, school groups, or visitors.
- Level 2 Maths & English.
- Relevant horticultural or agricultural qualification (e.g. Level 3 Horticulture or similar).
- Demonstratable experience in a glasshouse, nursery, or similar horticulture environmental settings.
- Strong plant care knowledge, including pest management and plant health.
- Ability to operate and maintain horticultural equipment and tools.
- Please note, there may be occasional weekend or evening work required, and half - a full day required to be worked over the two week Christmas closure.
- A proactive approach with a genuine passion for horticulture and controlled environment agriculture.
- The ability to work independently, prioritise workloads and use initiative.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills
- 47 days annual leave including Bank Holidays and Christmas Closure
- Generous pension scheme with an employer contribution of 19.8%
- Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
- Enhanced sick pay
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Pluxee reward scheme
- Free on site gym membership
- Onsite Starbucks along with multiple restaurant and cafe outlets
- Access to a multitude of external benefits through local businesses to the Cheshire area
- Specialist equipment reflecting industry practice
As a College, we actively encourage applications from industry professionals without a teaching qualification, as well as those from qualified teachers. Reaseheath offers a full CPD programme with access to funded qualifications alongside hands on support whilst completing Further Education Training. Industry professionals joining the College in an academic role, will complete their Further Education Training whilst in post.
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.
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.
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 People Services team at peopleservices@reaseheath.ac.uk should you require any adjustments during either your application or during the assessment centre.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020)) makes certain regulated activity (i.e. work with children and/or young people) exempt from the Act and therefore requires individuals seeking to work with these groups to be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check with children's barred list, amongst other safer recruitment checks.
Where a post is classed as exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, you will be required to reveal all convictions not classed as 'protected' by the Ministry of Justice guidelines, both spent and unspent.
Any information given will be completely confidential and will be considered in relation to an application for positions to which the Order applies. Please note that certain criminal convictions may affect your eligibility for employment with the college, but having a previous conviction will not automatically bar you from employment. Please refer to the college website for the policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders.
This information is considered sensitive personal data under the Data Protection Act 2018. It will only be used for the purposes of this recruitment exercise and will be safely disposed of after six months if you are not successful in your application for this vacancy.
Other safer recruitment checks that will be carries out during the recruitment process include online checks and prohibition from teaching checks (where relevant).
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