Shepherd/Shepherdess

Agricultural and Farming Jobs Agency; South Oxfordshire; Presencial; GBP 28.000 - 33.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

28 days holiday

Pension

Regular external training

Descripción de la vacante

Agricultural and Farming Jobs Agency is seeking a practical Shepherd/Shepherdess for a progressive 500-hectare mixed farming business in Oxfordshire. You will manage the day-to-day flock care, sheep husbandry, grazing management and fencing repairs.

The farm runs over 440 breeding ewes and up to 900 lambs, with a growing outdoor dairy sheep enterprise. You will gain experience in regenerative farming and contribute to stock welfare.

Formación

• Good practical experience with sheep.
• Confident with day-to-day flock management and lambing.
• Practical experience repairing and maintaining agricultural fencing.
• Good understanding of sheep health and welfare.
• Reliable, hardworking and able to work outdoors in all weather.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn.

Responsabilidades

• Daily stock checks and general flock management.
• Lambing, feeding, vaccinating, worming and routine sheep husbandry.
• Checking, maintaining and repairing agricultural fencing, including electric fencing.
• Moving sheep and managing grazing areas.
• Monitoring flock health, welfare and performance.
• Maintaining sheep-handling facilities and equipment.
• Keeping accurate livestock records.
• Supporting the development of the dairy sheep flock.
• Assisting with general farm duties when required.

Conocimientos

Sheep handling

Flock management

Fence repair

Livestock welfare

Outdoor work

Team player

Learning attitude

Educación

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Descripción del empleo

Shepherd / Shepherdess

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant must have existing Right to Work in the UK.

Are you an experienced Shepherd or Shepherdess who enjoys hands-on flock management and working with livestock?

Are you confident carrying out fencing repairs, maintaining electric fencing and managing grazing areas?

Would you like to join a progressive mixed farming business with a growing dairy sheep enterprise and excellent opportunities to develop your skills?

Location of the Job:

South Oxfordshire - no accommodation is available - candidates must live locally

Salary & Benefits Package:

• £28,000-£32,500 depending on experience
• Permanent, full-time position
• 28 days holiday
• Statutory sick pay and pension
• Excellent training and development opportunities, including regular external training
• Opportunity to gain experience in regenerative farming and dairy sheep production

Additional Information:

This is an exciting opportunity for a practical and enthusiastic Shepherd or Shepherdess to join a progressive 500-hectare mixed farming business in Oxfordshire.

The farm currently runs over 440 breeding ewes and up to 900 lambs, alongside a growing outdoor dairy sheep enterprise.

The main focus of this position will be day-to-day flock management, sheep husbandry, grazing management and fencing repairs.

The business is looking for someone who takes pride in their stockmanship, enjoys working outdoors and would welcome the opportunity to learn and develop.

About the Company

Our client is an established mixed farming business with a strong focus on animal welfare, sustainable agriculture and producing high-quality food.

The farm combines arable farming with sheep production, using the flock to graze grassland, herbal leys and crops as part of its wider farming system.

The business has successfully developed its grass-fed sheep flock and is now expanding its outdoor dairy sheep enterprise.

With a focus on improving soil health, livestock performance and farming efficiency, the business is continually looking at new ways to develop its farming practices.

This is a great opportunity to become part of a forward-thinking farming team, with plenty of support and opportunities to learn new skills.

Shepherd / Shepherdess - The Job Role Details

You will be responsible for the day-to-day care and management of the sheep flock, ensuring high standards of animal welfare and keeping grazing areas and fencing in good condition.

This is a practical, hands-on position involving general shepherding duties, fencing repairs and working alongside the wider farm team.

You will also have the opportunity to gain experience with the developing dairy sheep flock.

Key Responsibilities

• Daily stock checks and general flock management
• Lambing, feeding, vaccinating, worming and routine sheep husbandry
• Checking, maintaining and repairing agricultural fencing, including electric fencing
• Moving sheep and managing grazing areas
• Monitoring flock health, welfare and performance
• Maintaining sheep-handling facilities and equipment
• Keeping accurate livestock records
• Supporting the development of the dairy sheep flock
• Assisting with general farm duties when required

Ideal Candidate Skills & Qualifications

You will have / be:

• Good practical experience working with sheep
• Confident with day-to-day flock management and lambing
• Practical experience repairing and maintaining agricultural fencing
• A good understanding of sheep health and welfare
• Reliable, hardworking and happy working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn

Experience in regenerative farming, rotational grazing or dairy sheep would be beneficial but is not essential.

Working Hours

• Full-time, permanent position
• Flexibility required during lambing and busy farming periods
• Applicants must be able to commute to the farm, as no accommodation is provided

As we are a specialist recruitment business within the Agricultural and Farming industry, we do require that ALL applicants must hold an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2 or an equivalent qualification relevant to the role being applied for

The Industry (Key Words)

Shepherd, Shepherdess, Sheep Stockperson, Sheep Farming, Livestock Worker, Flock Management, Lambing, Sheep Husbandry, Fencing Repairs, Electric Fencing, Grazing Management, Farm Worker, Dairy Sheep, Regenerative Farming, Mixed Farming, Oxfordshire

We thank all applicants who apply for this role. However, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted. Rest assured your application will be handled in complete confidence, and your personal details will not be shared with any third party without your prior consent.

About Us

Established in 2013, Agricultural and Farming Jobs provide expert recruitment, headhunting, and job advertising services across agriculture, horticulture, food and fresh produce, veterinary, animal health, agrochemicals, machinery, technical and engineering, and specialist education sectors across the UK and internationally.