Live-In Reserve Manager: 250-Acre Nature Farm

FarmWell; Pangbourne; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rent-free farmhouse

4x4 vehicle

Employer pension

Paid training

Job summary

FarmWell in West Berkshire seeks a Reserve Manager to run a c.250-acre nature reserve and live in a large rent-free farmhouse. The role is permanent, full-time, and salaried, with hands-on farm duties and year-round responsibilities for land, stock, and maintenance.

You will graze pastures, manage woods, maintain fences, and oversee Countryside Stewardship schemes, reporting to the Foundation. Early 2027 start; salary £50,000–£58,000 with pension and training support.

Qualifications

• Several years' hands-on farm or land work including responsibility for livestock.
• Confident with machinery — tractor and trailer, ATV, chainsaw, brushcutter; willing to take certificates (we pay).
• Fencing, hedging and general estate maintenance to a good standard.
• Fit for heavy physical work in all weathers, and content working alone.
• Practical common sense about safety, and the discipline to keep the paperwork that goes with it.
• Reliable and organised: able to keep stock, scheme and safety records and plan a year's work.
• A full driving licence.
• Wanting to live on the farm, with out-of-hours responsibility for stock, water and security.

Responsibilities

• Look after the stock. Daily checks, moving cattle and sheep between fields, water, welfare, handling and records.
• Drive and maintain the machinery. Tractor, topper, trailer, ATV, chainsaw, brushcutter and hand tools, kept in good order in your own workshop in the yard.
• Fence, hedge and ditch. Rebuild stock fencing, plant and lay hedges, put in gates, handling pens and troughs.
• Work the woods. Fell and coppice, keep the deer down, open up rides and glades and protect the new growth.
• Keep the holding in order. Tracks, gates, barns and yard; safety checks, insurance and paperwork.
• Look after the house and buildings. Decorating, repairs and improvements to the farmhouse and barns, with materials paid for by the Foundation and our contractors.
• Run the schemes. Take over the farm's Countryside Stewardship and SFI agreements, keep the records and put together a simple annual plan and budget, with help from advisers.
• Be our face locally. Neighbours, the parish, people on the footpaths and, in time, school visits.

Skills

Livestock management

Machinery operation

Fencing & hedging

Physical fitness

Safety & paperwork

Stock & records planning

Driving licence

Willing to live on site

Job description

FarmWell in West Berkshire seeks a Reserve Manager to run a c.250-acre nature reserve and live in a large rent-free farmhouse. The role is permanent, full-time, and salaried, with hands-on farm duties and year-round responsibilities for land, stock, and maintenance.

You will graze pastures, manage woods, maintain fences, and oversee Countryside Stewardship schemes, reporting to the Foundation. Early 2027 start; salary £50,000–£58,000 with pension and training support.