Farm and Estate Technician (Sheep)

City College Norwich; Easton; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme with 18% employer cont.

Health services access

Corporate discounts

Generous holiday allowance

Job summary

City College Norwich is seeking a hands-on Farms and Estate lead to develop and manage the 150-ewe sheep enterprise across a 162ha Estate. You will shape the enterprise, supervise daily care, manage lambing, flock health and recording, while mentoring students in practical husbandry and machinery use.

You will work with the Head of Easton Estate and other technicians to align with estate priorities, safety standards and environmental practices, with development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in sheep husbandry, management and lambing.
• Experience with livestock administration and data recording.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day running of the college flock.
• Conduct daily checks, feeding, bedding, breeding cycles and lambing.
• Operate tractors and telehandlers for feeding, bedding and field ops.
• Record performance data and maintain electronic records.
• Provide practical learning opportunities for students.

Skills

Sheep husbandry

Livestock management

Health and welfare

Full UK driving licence

Independent working

Tools

Agriwebb

Job description

37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

£27,994 - £29,856 per annum

We are seeking an ambitious, motivated and conscientious applicant to join the Colleges Farm and Estate team and become the lead for the development and management of the 150-ewe sheep enterprise. This is a great opportunity for an individual to join a progressive team using modern practices, techniques and equipment across the 162ha (400acre) Estate and demonstrate their knowledge skills and techniques to students across the farming year. This is a hands-on role supporting the day-to-day care and management of our flock include grazing and forage planning, lambing, flock health, record keeping and general estate upkeep, all while maintaining high standards of animal welfare, safety and farm presentation.

The sheep enterprise runs alongside a 180 head beef rearing unit, small suckler beef herd, crop production as well as onsite equine, small animal centres and a large outdoor pig farrowing unit. All managed using a regenerative, conservation focused system. The successful individual will have the opportunity to significantly shape their own role and enterprise but also help influence the other area they will be working alongside, all with the support of the Head of Easton Estate.

So, if you take pride in achieving high standards, want the opportunity to run and shape our sheep enterprise while passing on your skills, knowledge and experience to the future members of the land-based sector, then this could be the role for you.

About the Role:

• Working closely with the Head of Estate, you will have full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the college flock, helping to ensure smooth, efficient and well organised livestock operations as well as freedom to shape the enterprise to contribute to the wider estate priorities.
• Undertaking daily checks and feeding routines, bedding, managing breeding cycles and lambing, administering basic treatments or vaccinations and the use of mobile handling systems.
• You will provide practical learning opportunities for students, including the demonstration of livestock husbandry and machinery skills to small groups.
• Safely operating and maintaining tractors and telehandlers for feeding, bedding, and general field operations including forage production
• Gather and record data on performance and update electronic records to ensure compliance with assurance schemes and Government legislation. (Agriwebb)
• Work with other Estate technicians in the operation of the Colleges 160ha estate including Carrying out a wide range of seasonal farm and estate tasks to provide both demonstration to students and as part of the routine Estate management.

We are looking for the following key qualities:

• Proven experience in sheep husbandry, management and health including lambing and livestock administration (Essential)
• A passion for practical outdoor work and pride in achieving high standards.
• Strong communication skills and an enthusiasm for the land-based sector.
• The ability to work independently using your own initiative but also within a wider team when required.
• A full UK driving licence. (Essential)
• High expectations for safety, cleanliness and presentation.

What we offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package including a great pension scheme with an 18% employer contribution, access to health services, corporate discounts and generous holiday (starting at 26 days per year plus bank holidays).
• 8:45am - 5:00pm normal working hours across a 5-day week. These can be slightly variable depending on the demands of the role and will includes some planned weekend and out of hours overtime duties as required.
• PPE and workwear provided
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Closing date: 05 November 2026 at Midnight

As a college we are required to undertake various Safer Recruitment checks as set out within the guidance from the Department for Education Keeping Child Safe in Education. We require all staff to undertake an enhanced Adult and Child Workforce DBS Check and to register with the DBS Update Service. Please note: From 28 November 2020 the government implemented changes to the filtering rules, and we have been instructed that we cannot accept any update service checks on DBS certificates that have been issued before this date. Therefore, a new one must be completed with City College Norwich.