Herdsperson

Purpose:

Are you passionate about agriculture?

Do you strive to make a difference?

With a love for the farmed environment, you’ll enjoy working with nature & livestock and want to inspire and motivate others. Reporting to the Agricultural Lead, you'll be primarily responsible for looking after the daily needs of the farm’s livestock, which include the dairy herd, sheep flock and beef herd as well as duties within arable enterprise.

Locations & Travel:

Botton Village (Danby, North Yorkshire)

Botton predominantly comprises extensive acreage of productive farmland intertwined with sizable expanses of woodland. An environmentally conscious site, Botton has proudly held organic certification since 1955, a testament to its steadfast commitment a to organic farming practices. The farmland itself is a mosaic of improved pasture and lower-quality agricultural moorland edge land.

Larchfield (Middlesbrough)

Larchfield is an extensive mixed farm on the outskirts of Middlesbrough, with extensive hedgerows, wooded areas and traditional orchards, all interspersed by residential properties.

As Herdsperson, you will be based at Botton, however you will be expected to travel to our community in Middlesbrough.

Duties & Responsibilities:

As the Herdsperson you will:

• Contribute to the effective day to day operations of the farm by performing routine duties with the dairy herd, beef herd, sheep flock and breeding pigs including but not limited to
  • Stock health checks.
  • Feeding, bedding up and cleaning
  • Milking, calving, lambing
  • Moving of stock to fresh pasture
  • Ability to diagnose, treat and record treatments to sick animals where necessary
  • To provide animal husbandry as agreed. This may include sheep shearing, lambing, trimming feet, tagging sheep and dealing with pests and diseases.
  • Working of weekends within a rota and evening out of hours work where needed, for example lambing season.
  • Machinery and tractor operation work
• To work across both farm sites – Botton Village and Larchfield Community.
• To work under the direction of the Agricultural Lead in the supervision of those we support and others using the day service, apprentices and volunteers, to achieve agreed daily tasks. This may involve the instruction of new skills and the intervention and resolution of issues between clients and the reporting of any incidents.
• Undertake machinery maintenance and keep all machinery, equipment and premises clean and tidy.
• Adhere to the charities health & safety policies and procedures.
• Delivery of Work Programmes as directed by the Agricultural Lead to deliver practical work programmes to enhance the Trust’s Natural Capital to include:

• habitat improvements,
• Habitat maintenance
• Land infrastructure such as hedges, walls and fences
• Nature recovery projects

• Lead and supervise volunteers in the practical delivery of agreed work programmes.
• Be on-call out of hours to provide support for out of hours issues such as, escaped animals, animal birthing, disturbances on site and any other issues that may arise to be able to notify relevant managers.
• To ensure all health & safety, COSHH and other legislative and regulatory stipulations and conditions are complied with, including all site risk assessments, safe working practices and staff training
• Provide practical assistance to other Trust departments, as required
• To be involved with and take pride in the wider estate management and visual appearance
• Ensure safe operation, maintenance and cleaning of equipment, machinery, and vehicles. Carry out essential maintenance work, equipment checks, including daily and routine maintenance and duties as trained to do so.
• To drive and be responsible for a company vehicle when required and in accordance with health and safety and fleet policy and driver's handbook, including conducting daily vehicle checks;
• To always follow the Camphill Village Trust health and safety policies and procedures.

Person Specification:

Knowledge & Experience

• Practical experience in relevant farm and livestock management is essential.
• Experience of working in organic and regenerative farming systems is desirable.
• You will have a full, valid, UK driving license (trailer BE is desirable).
• You will be an experienced tractor operator (essential).
• You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the animal welfare requirements as required un the animal welfare regulations and specially in compliance with organic production.
• You will have animal and plant identification skills with a demonstrable passion for nature, heritage and the outdoors.

Key Competencies:

• You react sensitively to other people and recognise different viewpoints, beliefs, values and opinions.
• You are creative and willing to learn new skills.
• You treat people with respect, dignity, honesty and equality.
• You have a positive and driven attitude for success.
• You have excellent interpersonal skills and are able to foster team spirit and empowerment of staff.

• You will have great attention to detail and be able to manage your workload with minimal supervision.
• This is a practical hands-on role where you will need to be comfortable working on-site outdoors within all weather conditions.

Qualifications:

• Qualifications in bush cutter and chainsaw operation are desirable.

As a national charity and not-for-profit organisation, Camphill Village Trust brings over 65 years of experience, knowledge, and passion to supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges, and complex needs.

Phone: 03301 221340
Email: