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Farm Operations Manager

Wick Court, Gloucestershire

A new opportunity has arisen for a full-time Farm Operations Manager to join our worthwhile charity, which exists to remove the barriers that prevent children and young people having meaningful access to the natural world.  Through a week on one of our three heritage farms, Nethercott House in Devon, Lower Treginnis in Pembrokeshire and Wick Court in Gloucestershire, children and young people experience increased learning and engagement, improved connections and wellbeing and leave us with enhanced environmental citizenship.  Visiting children are immersed in the natural world of countryside through a food and farming offer that allows them to participate in the seasonal tasks of the day: sowing, growing and harvesting in our kitchen gardens; caring for livestock and looking after the land; and cooking up a home-grown feast in the farmhouse kitchen. Spending time working alongside real farmers fosters children’s independence and helps them to grow in confidence, develops their self-esteem, and encourages them to become more resilient. In partnership with our commercial farming neighbours, children experience the benefits of collaboration, enjoy plenty of physical activity, good food, and fresh air, and discover the magical rural environment that is full of new words, sounds and experiences to inspire their creativity.

About the Role

This is a hands-on role responsible for the management of the farm, including buildings, equipment and livestock at Wick Court, a 50-acre smallholding raising pigs, beef cattle, poultry and sheep.

The role will set and deliver the direction of the land management of the farm. It will ensure that animals are cared for in line with the charity Animal Welfare policy and that biosecurity measures keep our beneficiaries and animals safe. The postholder will spend a proportion of their time delivering fun and educational sessions on the farm to the young people we work with.

The Farm Operations Manager is an integral role and as part of the operations team, will support also maintenance and management of the 16th century manor house, and may be asked to support all areas of operations of the charity at Wick Court.

The successful post-holder will have experience working directly with livestock, including administering veterinary medications, and lambing. They will be passionate about nature friendly farming and be looking for environmentally sensitive ways of managing the land for food production. They will also have experience working in partnerships, managing budgets and suppliers.

Main responsibilities

Be responsible for all farming operations at Wick Court, currently a smallholding raising pigs, poultry, sheep, including managing equine and our horticultural enterprise

• With the Farm School Manager, develop and deliver a sustainable and environmentally sensitive land management strategy for Wick Court
• Work closely with the Farm School Manager to ensure the farming environment and farming activities for visiting children are safe, stimulating and purposeful
• Oversee and lead on animal husbandry, ensuring animal welfare standards are maintained in line with our policies, and further developing our veterinary health plans and procedures
• Lead on bio-security and disease control across the farming operations, with direct leadership and accountability for on-farm Health and Safety, ensuring safe working practices and policies are in place, and overseeing their implementation

This position is a farm-based role which will require only very occasional travel within the Charity’s regions in order to attend training or meetings..

Appointments will not be confirmed until the Charity has received two satisfactory professional references, evidence of the existing proof of right to work in the UK. Referees will not be contacted without candidates’ prior consent.

Farms for City Children is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates will be subject to a Social Media check and a DBS check at the appropriate level. Employment with the charity is conditional upon the charity being satisfied with the result of the DBS Check. Successful candidates will be asked to complete a self-declaration related to their criminal record or any information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. If you have lived or worked outside of the UK, additional information may be required from you to satisfy safer recruitment checks.  Any criminal records information that is disclosed to the charity will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or code of practice published by the DBS.

Farms for City Children is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity and supports and encourages under-represented groups.  We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds, with diverse lived experience, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Job Description – Farm Operations Manager

Job Title: Farm Operations Manager
Location: Wick Court
Reporting to: Farm School Manager (day-to-day and site specific)
Head of Operations (agricultural, technical, regulatory)

Contract type: Full time, permanent
Salary: £38,000 per annum.
Benefits: 33 days holiday per annum inclusive of bank holidays, contributory pension of 6%, employee assistance scheme with Health Assured.

Summary

This is a hands-on role responsible for the management of the farm, including building, equipment and
livestock at Wick Court, a 50-acre smallholding raising pigs, poultry and sheep.

The role will set and deliver the direction of the land management of the farm. It will ensure that animals are cared for in line with the charity Animal Welfare policy and that biosecurity measures keep our beneficiaries and animals safe. The postholder will spend a proportion of their time delivering fun and educational sessions on the farm to the young people we work with.

The Farm Operations Manager is an integral role and as part of the operations team, will support also
maintenance and management of the 16th century manor house, and may be asked to support all areas of operations of the charity at Wick Court.

The successful post-holder will have experience working directly with livestock, including administering
veterinary medications, and lambing. They will be passionate about nature friendly farming and be looking for environmentally sensitive ways of managing the land for food production. They will also have experience working in partnerships, managing budgets and suppliers.

Main purpose of the job

• Be responsible for all farming operations at Wick Court, currently a smallholding raising pigs, poultry,
sheep and beef cattle, including managing equine and our horticultural enterprise
• With the Farm School Manager develop and deliver a sustainable and environmentally sensitive land
management strategy for Wick Court
• Work closely with the Farm School Manager to ensure the farming environment and farming activities
for visiting children are safe, stimulating and purposeful
• Oversee and lead on animal husbandry, ensuring animal welfare standards are maintained in line with
our policies, and further developing our veterinary health plans and procedures
• Lead on biosecurity and disease control across the farming operations, with direct leadership and
accountability for on-farm Health and Safety, ensuring safe working practices and policies are in place,
and overseeing their implementation

• Lead the development of land management, farm business strategy and financial plans, manage
operational budgets, and maintain statutory and management records for farm operations
• Work with surveyors and professional advisors to secure any relevant farm subsidies and deliver in
accordance with agreements in place
• Deliver daily farming activity sessions with groups of visiting children (alongside accompanying adults),
and lead and motivate a team of Farm School Leaders and General Assistants
• Be responsible for sustainable management, maintenance and development of all grounds,
properties, equipment and services in line with nature friendly farming practises
• Feed livestock, muck out pens, and be hands-on with all manner of routine farming jobs and estate
management throughout the year
• Create and deliver an enterprise plan which sees an appropriate level of food production for visiting
beneficiaries and commercial partnerships
• Report directly to the Head of Operations and attend Health and Safety and Senior Management
Team meetings. Report directly to trustees at Board meetings as required.
• Manage all farm equipment and vehicles, developing risk assessments, training staff and volunteers,
and following servicing schedules.
• Manage the collaborative partnership with our commercial farming neighbours, building on and
extending the existing strong connections and ensuring effective communication
• Model the values and ethos of the Charity and ensure these are upheld at all times

Person Specification – Farm Operations Manager

Training, Experience and Qualifications
Essential

• Experience managing the day-to-day operations of a farm, including experience working directly with
livestock, including administering veterinary medications, and lambing
• HND or equivalent in Agriculture or a related subject
• Certificated Health and Safety related training
• Significant experience of managing and developing operations on a farm or smallholding including
budget management and the management of biosecurity
• Experience working with young people
• An understanding of safeguarding
• A proven track record managing an effective team
• Confident and competent tractor driver
• An interest in environmentally sensitive farming

Desirable

• Degree in Agriculture or a related subject
• Certificated training in Safeguarding
• Qualified to administer veterinary medications
• Health and Safety management qualification (IOSSH, NEBOSH, Leader in Health and Safety)
• Experience of public access to farms and the management of associated risks
• Demonstrable experience of developing and training a team

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• An excellent working knowledge of best-practice animal husbandry, specifically raising pigs, poultry
and sheep
• Effective communication and team leading skills
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office and Outlook, with particular strengths for building and managing
budgets in MS Excel
• Practical experience of and skills for effective estate management
• A working knowledge of vegetable and fruit growing
• Full, clean driving licence

Desirable

• A good working knowledge of raising traditional or rare breeds
• Knowledge of current industry best practice and national policy frameworks
• Experience of working with equine

Additional Information

Safeguarding - This post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.

Hours of work - The post is a full-time farming management role including weekend and evening working and on call rota.

Probationary period - The appointment will be subject to a probationary period of 3 months.
Proof of right to work - All appointments are conditional on the appointee providing existing proof of right to work according to current Home Office rules.

References - All appointments are conditional upon receipt of two satisfactory references. Farms for City Children will give prior notification of the intention to contact referees.

Please click on Apply Now to see the Job Description and Person Specification for full details about the role and apply online.

We are unable to accept just cover letters and CVs.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE – DIRECT RECRUITMENT ONLY

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Sunday 31st March 2024 Interviews 11th April 2024

Salary: £38,000 per annum

Hours Per Week: Full-time, Permanent

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