Farm and Estate Technician (Sheep)

Norwich City College of Further and Higher Education; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Norwich City College of Further and Higher Education seeks an assistant to run the day-to-day operations of its 150-ewe sheep enterprise within a large mixed estate. You will lamb, graze, keep records, and ensure animal welfare while teaching students practical livestock skills.

You will also operate tractors and machinery, gather performance data, and participate in weekend or out-of-hours duties as needed. Full UK driving licence required; visa sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• Proven sheep husbandry experience, including lambing and livestock administration.
• Strong communication skills for teaching students and coordinating tasks.
• Ability to work independently on initiative within a team.
• Enthusiasm for outdoor, land-based practical work.

Responsibilities

• Run the day-to-day operations of the college flock and contribute to shaping the enterprise.
• Carry out daily checks, feeding, bedding, and manage breeding cycles and lambing.
• Administer basic treatments and vaccinations and use mobile handling systems.
• Teach students by demonstrating livestock husbandry and machinery skills in small groups.
• Operate and maintain tractors and telehandlers for feeding, bedding and field work.

Skills

Sheep husbandry

Communication

Independence

Teamwork

Job description

This role sits in the Farm and Estate team at Norwich City College of Further and Higher Education, leading the college's 150-ewe sheep enterprise. The post covers the day-to-day running of the flock, including lambing, grazing and records. It sits within a mixed 162ha estate running beef, crops, equines and a pig unit under a regenerative system, and the holder also demonstrates livestock work to students. Proven sheep husbandry experience and a full UK driving licence are essential, and visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Run the day-to-day operations of the college flock, with scope to shape the enterprise
• Carry out daily checks, feeding and bedding, and manage breeding cycles and lambing
• Administer basic treatments and vaccinations and use mobile handling systems
• Teach students by demonstrating livestock husbandry and machinery skills to small groups
• Operate and maintain tractors and telehandlers for feeding, bedding and field work, including forage production
• Gather performance data and keep electronic records for assurance schemes and legislation (Agriwebb)
• Plan grazing and forage, and manage flock health and general estate upkeep
• Work with other estate technicians on seasonal farm and estate tasks across the 160ha estate
• Maintain high standards of animal welfare, safety and farm presentation
• Take part in planned weekend and out-of-hours overtime duties

Experience

• Proven experience in sheep husbandry, management and health, including lambing and livestock administration

Skills & knowledge

• Strong communication skills
• Working independently on own initiative and within a wider team
• Passion for practical outdoor work
• Enthusiasm for the land-based sector

Checks & eligibility

• Full UK driving licence

Other

• High standards of safety, cleanliness and presentation