Senior Team Leader / Deputy Manager

The right candidate will be an experienced and compasionate Farm Manager who can manage our herd of 40 Aberdeen Angus suckler cows and calves and the day to day organisation of all farming activities. You will be part of a team responsible for the unique learning of young and older adults with Autism, based on a 100 acre organic, permanent grassland farm in South Oxfordshire.

Pennyhooks Farm is a small organic working farm, nestling in the Vale of the White Horse in Oxfordshire. It is a farm like no other. As a registered charity, Pennyhooks Farm Trust provides unique opportunities to experience a fully working environment to more than 30 people whose needs range across the whole of the autistic spectrum. Despite many of the clients (known at Pennyhooks as students) being non-verbal or having little verbal language, and having complex sensory issues, all are actively engaged in a wide range of jobs and activities, from animal care and horticulture to rural craft and conservation, including being part of 3 fundraising Open Days.

Personal Qualities

1. Knowledge and experience of traditional pastoral and livestock based farming
2. Openess to working in a specialist needs environment, focused on Autism
3. Experience and expertise in Farming and Conservation and an interest in Education and Rural Skills
4. A 'can do' attitude, innovative and with the capacity to initiate new ideas and see them through to completion, yet with sensitivity to potential impact on students, staff, land and animals
5. Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage conflicting priorities, in conjunction with other senior staff
6. A willingness to work such hour as are reasonably necessary for the completion of duties and responsibilites, with the possibility of weekend working
7. Responsive to the needs of others, prepared to go the extra mile, kind and patient.

Due to the nature of the work, the post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check

Please find the full information about Pennyhooks Farm Trust and the role in the attached Job and Person Specification.

For more information about Pennyhooks Farm Trust, please visit our website where you will also find a link to the BBC documentary, 'Farming on the Spectrum'

To apply, please send us your CV and a supporting statement of your suitability for the role (no more than 500 words, by the closing time of 5pm on 19th March 2024