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- Tasks: Care for animals and support engaging learning experiences at Wigfield Farm.
- Company: Join a vibrant team at Wigfield Farm, a hub for Land Based Studies.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, career development, and discounts on dining and travel.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal welfare and inspire future generations.
- Qualifications: Level 3 in land-based subject and customer service experience preferred.
- Other info: Hands-on role with varied tasks and opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
Farm Support Worker
Department: Land Based Industries
Salary: £25,775 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed Term – Maternity Cover | Full time, 37 hours per week
Reference: REC2390 | Closing Date: Sunday, 29th March 2026
The Opportunity
Barnsley College is looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Farm Support Worker to join our Land Based Industries team at Wigfield Farm. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a wide range of animals, support student learning, and contribute to high quality visitor experiences at our busy open farm and education centre.
Wigfield Farm is home to Barnsley College’s Centre for Land Based Studies and operates seven days a week, serving both students and the wider community.
As our Farm Support Worker, you will play a key role in the daily running of Wigfield Farm. You will help care for a wide range of animals – from livestock and small mammals to exotics – ensuring their welfare, health and enrichment are consistently maintained to the highest standard. Working alongside staff and students, you will contribute to delivering an engaging, practical and high quality learning experience for those studying Land Based programmes.
You will also be involved in the lively visitor side of the farm, supporting activities such as guided tours, keeper talks, school visits, parties and seasonal events. Working closely with the Activity Coordinator, you will help develop and deliver activities that inspire visitors and highlight the educational value of the farm.
Your duties will include animal care, maintenance and security tasks, as well as transporting animals and equipment when required. You will follow all health and safety guidelines to ensure the farm remains safe for both people and animals. The role combines weekday farm duties with weekend activity support, offering plenty of variety and the chance to get involved in all aspects of farm life.
This is a hands on and rewarding role where you’ll contribute to the welfare of the animals, the progress of our students, and the enjoyment of our visitors. You will join a supportive team that helps make Wigfield Farm a welcoming, educational and inspiring place for everyone.
About You
We are looking for someone who is motivated, practical and passionate about working with animals and people. You’ll enjoy working outdoors and getting stuck into hands on tasks, and you will bring enthusiasm for land based education and animal welfare.
Whether you’re supporting students, caring for animals or engaging with visitors, you’ll bring energy, reliability and a positive attitude. You will have at least two years of relevant work experience and a background in caring for a variety of animal species, including exotics, livestock and small mammals, enabling you to deliver excellent standards of husbandry and welfare across the farm.
You will also bring customer facing experience, helping you communicate confidently and warmly with visitors, students and colleagues. Dependable and proactive, you’ll be comfortable working independently and as part of a friendly, supportive team.
As the role involves weekend work and a wide variety of duties, you’ll need to adapt, organise and be ready for the variety that comes with working on a busy educational farm.
Above all, you’ll bring energy, care and teamwork to the role – helping make Wigfield Farm a great place to learn, work and visit.
Required
- Level 3 qualification in a land-based subject (or willingness to work towards)
- GCSE Maths and English at Level 2 or above (or willingness to work towards)
- Paediatric First Aid certificate (or willingness to work towards)
- At least 2 years’ relevant work experience
- Experience working with a range of animal species (e.g. exotics, livestock, rodents)
- Front-facing customer service experience
Closing date for applications is Sunday, 29th March 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early depending on the level of interest.
Job Description and Person Specification
Barnsley College is committed to creating a dynamic and diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all candidates regardless of their gender, disability, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or faith. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure from DBS.
Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.
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Farm Support Worker employer: Barnsley College
Contact Detail:
Barnsley College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Farm Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the farm! Before your interview, visit Wigfield Farm if you can. Familiarise yourself with the animals and activities. This shows your genuine interest and helps you chat confidently about how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your hands-on experience! When you're chatting with us, highlight any relevant work you've done with animals or in customer service. We love hearing about real-life examples that demonstrate your skills and passion.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss teamwork! Since you'll be working closely with staff and students, share stories about how you've collaborated in the past. We want to see that you can contribute to our lively team atmosphere.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Show us you're engaged by asking about the farm's activities or future plans. It’s a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm and helps you figure out if this is the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Farm Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animals: When writing your application, let us know how much you love working with animals! Share any relevant experiences you've had, whether it's caring for pets or volunteering at a farm. This will help us see your genuine interest in the role.
Highlight Your Teamwork Skills: Since you'll be working closely with staff and students, it's important to showcase your ability to work well in a team. Mention any past experiences where you collaborated with others to achieve a common goal, especially in a farm or educational setting.
Be Clear About Your Availability: This role involves a mix of weekday support and weekend activities, so make sure to clearly state your availability in your application. We want to know when you can jump in and help out, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll find all the details you need to submit your application smoothly. Let’s get you on board!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barnsley College
✨Know Your Animals
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of different animal species, especially those mentioned in the job description. Being able to discuss their care, health, and enrichment needs will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared for the role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role involves interacting with visitors, be ready to share examples of your front-facing customer service experience. Think about times when you've engaged with the public, led activities, or handled inquiries, and how you made those experiences enjoyable.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
This position requires collaboration with staff and students, so highlight your ability to work well in a team. Share specific instances where you've contributed to a group effort, whether in a previous job or during your studies.
✨Health and Safety Awareness
Familiarise yourself with basic health and safety procedures relevant to animal care and farm environments. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure safety for both animals and visitors, as this is crucial for the role.