Trainer/Assessor - Horticulture and Land Management

RNN Group; South Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

44 days annual leave

Gym access

Wellbeing support

Staff benefits

Free parking

Career development funding

Teacher training grants

Referral scheme

Job summary

RNN Group’s Dearne Valley Campus is seeking a Trainer/Assessor in Horticulture and Land Management to lead hands-on training, study programmes and apprenticeships. You will develop and grow our course offering, manage student support and field activities, and collaborate with industry partners to ensure high-quality outcomes for school leavers, adults and trainees.

This permanent, full-time role covers curriculum development, assessment leadership and driving regional commercial opportunities

Qualifications

• Level 3 Horticulture qualification (or equivalent) and Level 3 teaching or training qualification.
• Assessor qualification.
• Proven experience delivering high-quality training within an education establishment.
• Solid understanding of Horticulture and land management curricula and related licences (NPTC/Lantra).
• Strong industry connections to shape curricula and provide work experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on training, study programmes and apprenticeships.
• Develop and grow course offering across study programmes, apprenticeships and commercial opportunities.
• Manage student support, field excursions and pastoral care while maintaining land and flora for curriculum and commercial needs.
• Lead the lecturing and assessment team and collaborate with partners and industry stakeholders.
• Grow regional commercial opportunities and manage related budgets and KPIs.

Skills

Industry knowledge

Curriculum planning

Staff leadership

Pastoral support

Education

Level 3 Horticulture qualification

Level 3 teaching or training qualification

Assessor qualification

Job description

Trainer/Assessor Horticulture and Land Management

Location: Dearne Valley Campus

Salary: £29,455 to £32,515 a year + benefits

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full time (37 hours each week, all year round)

Closing Date: 2nd of November 2026

Are you an experienced horticulturist or grounds maintenance professional ready to pass your skills on to the next generation?

We are seeking a practical, industry-skilled Horticulture & Land Management Trainer / Assessor to lead hands-on training, study programmes, and apprenticeships at Dearne Valley College. This is an opportunity to shape our practical estate, build local industry links, and train school leavers, adults, and apprentices in real-world horticultural and land management skills.

About the Role

This role will encompass development and growth of our course offering at study programme, apprenticeship, adult and short courses, alongside commercial opportunities. This is a real opportunity as a passionate and innovative industry-skilled specialist to make this your own Centre of Excellence within the region growing both the curricula offering alongside commercial aspect.

Key duties of this role will be:

• Inspire & Deliver: Lead high-quality classroom, online, and practical training, ensuring students from school leavers to adults exceed their potential.
• Innovate the Curriculum: Design, plan, and evaluate cutting-edge course content and resources that reflect current industry trends.
• Get Hands-On: Manage student support through project supervision, exciting field excursions, and pastoral care. You will also be responsible for maintaining the land and growing flora to meet both curriculum and commercial needs.
• Lead & Collaborate: Provide day-to-day leadership and guidance to the lecturing and assessment team, while working closely with academic partners and industry stakeholders.
• Drive Commercial Success: Grow regional commercial opportunities and manage related budget targets and KPIs (such as recruitment and retention) alongside your Curriculum Performance Lead.

This is a wide-ranging, rewarding role, where no two days are the same.

You will

We are on the lookout for a flexible, organised team player who brings:

• Industry Expertise: A strong, recent background in Land-Based industries and commercial activities.
• Qualifications: A relevant Level 3 Horticulture qualification (or equivalent), a Level 3 teaching or training qualification and an Assessor qualification.
• Educational Experience: Proven experience delivering strong outcomes and high-quality training within an education establishment.
• Curriculum Knowledge: A solid understanding of Horticulture and land management curricula and relevant industry licenses (e.g., NPTC / Licenses to Practice or Lantra-approved qualifications).
• Great Connections: An established network of industry professionals to help shape our future curriculum and secure first-hand work experience for our students.

We understand that no candidate will perfectly match every qualification or criterion listed. If your experience differs from what we've outlined but you believe you can contribute to this role, we encourage you to apply!

Department Info

You will join a small, busy, and highly collaborative team, reporting directly to the Curriculum Performance Lead for Animal and Land Based Industries.

You ll have the autonomy to run your programme while receiving the support and structure needed to hit your targets and truly thrive.

Our excellent benefits and rewards package:

• Access to local government pension scheme (with employer contributions from 15.6%)
• Up to 44 days annual leave per year including closure during Christmas period
• Access to our gyms, restaurants and salons
• Staff health & wellbeing and benefits schemes including in-house Occupational Health service
• Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Full, part time and flexible working hours available in many roles
• Free Parking available at all of our sites
• Fantastic career development opportunities including funding for teacher training, apprenticeships and various other industry recognised qualifications
• New FE teachers can also apply for grants of up to £6,000 in STEM subjects (conditions apply) through the teacher retention initiative
• Recruitment Referral Scheme for all employees, worth £200 per referral made

What is the RNN Group?

RNN Group s main goal is to be an outstanding education and training provider and this is at the heart of everything that we do. To help us achieve this we are looking to recruit highly motivated, innovative and dynamic individuals to join our existing teams. To be a part of the team at RNN Group we will expect you to be committed to our values too