Grazing Officer

Ecology Training UK Ltd.; Salisbury; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and Flexible Working

25 Days Annual Leave

Pension Contributions

Life Assurance

Health Cash Plan

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Cycle to Work Scheme

Volunteering Days

Café Discount

Job summary

Sussex Wildlife Trust is seeking an experienced livestock handler to support grazing across our reserves. You will work with cattle, sheep, goats and ponies, carrying out daily checks, feeding and routine husbandry in all weathers.

A major part of the role is lambing and calving, tagging, castration, and MOT checks before bulling. You will work on a 35-hour week on a rota that includes one weekend in four and on-call out-of-hours.

Qualifications

• Experience with cattle and sheep husbandry including tagging and basic checks.
• Ability to operate tractors and tow trailers.
• Driving licence is essential to the role.

Responsibilities

• Carry out daily livestock checks, feeding and bedding during winter.
• Move stock onto reserves and gather for sale or return to home farm.
• Lambing, calving and associated husbandry activities (tagging, castration, MOT checks).
• Respond to out-of-hours calls and emergencies as needed.
• Work on a 35-hour week with a rota including one weekend in four.

Skills

Livestock handling

Tractor operation

Trailer towing

Team working

Flexibility

Job description

You will be part of a team that manages Sussex Wildlife Trust’s livestock and delivers grazing on reserves across East and West Sussex.

SWT currently runs nearly 300 head of cattle, 1000 head of sheep and a small group of goats and ponies, all of which help deliver conservation objectives across our nature reserves. We are continuing to increase the quality and number of stock available to deliver our conservation objectives, as well as developing a sustainable grazing operation that is capable of being financially self-sufficient.

We block calve outdoors in the spring and this year will be putting 120 cows to the bull, we run this consecutively with lambing which we operate both an indoor and outdoor system, this year we have just lambed nearly 1000 ewes. A major part of the role therefore will be to carry out lambing and calving and all the husbandry that goes along with it, from tagging and castrating right up to giving the ewes and cows an MOT before bulling/tupping.

The role will include daily livestock checks, bedding up and feeding in the winter, carrying out basic animal husbandry, moving stock out onto reserves and gathering again at the end of the season ready for sale or to come back to the “home” farm. We currently use tractors on a daily basis for carting animals, feeding, bedding up and mucking out. A knowledge of and experience using tractors and tractor mounted equipment would be desirable. As well as experience towing trailers on and off road, both with the tractor and 4×4. Please note this role is 35 hours a week and is on a rota with the rest of the team to provide 7 day a week cover. You will be required to work one weekend in four, having the Friday before and the Friday after your weekend off, as well as responding to out of hours calls and emergencies where necessary.

Access to a working dog able to confidently work sheep and or cattle is desirable but not essential. There is a financial remuneration package available for this and out of hours work.

The Person

A passion, love of livestock, farming and conservation is essential for this person. You will be carrying out tasks with livestock in all weathers, at all times of the day or night and at all times of the year. Things rarely go to plan when working with livestock, a good sense of humour, flexibility and a tenacious approach to work are vital.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to work for an organisation that passionately believes conservation and farming cannot exist in isolation of one another. Although experience in a similar field would be a bonus, we are willing to consider all candidates that have a real interest and love for this kind of work. A driving licence is essential to the role. If you are at all unsure whether this is the right role for you or have any questions about the job, please feel free to give the grazing manager a call to discuss the role. Tom – 07884496807

Benefits

• Hybrid and Flexible Working– Supporting healthy work-life balance through flexible working arrangements where role requirements operationally allow.
• 25 Days Annual Leave – Plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 5 years’ service; entitlement pro rata part-time.
• Pension Contributions – With an optional salary sacrifice scheme to help maximise your retirement savings.
• Life Assurance – Pension Scheme members receive 2x salary cover; non-members receive 1x salary cover.
• Health Cash Plan – helping towards the cost of everyday healthcare expenses.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – Providing confidential support, advice and wellbeing resources.
• Cycle to Work Scheme – Helping you save money while supporting a healthier and more sustainable commute.
• Volunteering Days – Dedicated two days paid to support causes and communities that matter to you.
• Café Discount – Enjoy discounted food and drinks at our Rye Harbour Discovery Centre cafe

For more detailed information see the What we offer page in the Recruitment Pack.