Farm Worker

We are looking for an experienced Farm Worker with practical, hands-on experience of sheep and cattle farming in the uplands to join an established team managing a 4,800 hectare farm on the Lake Vyrnwy Estate in mid-Wales. The farm is the largest organic farm in England and Wales and is managed by the RSPB on behalf of water company Hafren Dyfrdwy. It is operated as a productive enterprise whilst delivering on conservation and water catchment objectives.

The role involves working in a team which is responsible for the delivery of livestock care and management and associated agricultural operations to meet agreed objectives. We have ambitious plans for the future of the estate and the farm is central to delivering these in a sustainable way for the long term. Key activities for the role include:

• Undertaking the daily routine care of livestock including feeding, safe movement between locations, safe penning and restraint thereby maintaining high welfare and compliance standards for livestock and H&S standards for staff and volunteers.
• Undertaking the daily assessment of livestock welfare and health, raising issues and supporting with the administration of prescribed medicines and prophylactic treatments, to ensure high health and welfare status of livestock.
• Undertaking a range of habitat and agricultural management of the reserve, including vegetation management, hay cropping, field cultivations, fencing, ditching, in field water management and general estate management to produce the conditions required to deliver the ecological management plan objectives.
• Undertaking administrative duties required to maintain all relevant paperwork and recording requirements relating to animal movements and livestock health and welfare, to ensure compliance with regulations and agricultural best practice.
• Responsible for the maintenance and operation of machinery and agricultural equipment including day-to-day maintenance, repair and visual checks to ensure the efficient, safe and appropriate use of machinery.
• Supervising contractors for small and medium projects e.g. building cattle pens, fencing and gates required for the farming operations and achieve management plan objectives.
• Ensuring good relations at all times with neighbours, graziers, suppliers, vets, external organisations and the general public to facilitate delivery of objectives
• Good communication skills to mentor apprenticeships and volunteers which will be shadowing Farm Workers during their day to day tasks 

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Proven ability in the handling and movement of livestock including feeding, calving and lambing.
• Proven ability in the movement of livestock (mainly sheep) using sheep dogs and quad and access to at least one trained dog.
• High level of knowledge in cattle and sheep husbandry particularly animal health and welfare issues requirements. 
• Knowledge and experience of the essential record keeping in terms of animal identification, animal movements, veterinary treatments and animal health.
• Knowledge and experience of risk management and compliance requirements relating to agricultural and environmental legislation.
• Knowledge of the health, safety and welfare issues applying to agricultural operations and management (e.g. risk assessments).
• Experience and knowledge of the correct operational use, repair and maintenance of farm machinery and its associated powered or trailed equipment and attachments.
• Proven skills in a range of land management tasks related to the grazing operations e.g.fences, gates, in field water management structures, ditches, livestock holding pens.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Proven ability to work in a team.
• Problem solving and personal organisation skills.
• Ecological knowledge relating to grazing as a conservation management tool.
• Experience of living in and working in remote areas and small communities. 

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

This is a permanent, full-time position. For further information please contact Huw.Evans@rspb.org.uk 

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.