Rural - Stewardship Operator

Reporting to Assistant Farm Manager

Nature: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Location: Sandringham Estate

THE SANDRINGHAM ESTATE

The Estate is the country retreat of His Majesty the King and consists of 8,279 hectares of which 2,700 hectares are farmed in hand.

The Farms

The farming operation is a critical part of the Estate, and its primary objective is to farm organically in hand with nature. This means that whilst we have a clear purpose to produce sustainably grown food, we place the same importance on the management of habitats for the benefit of biodiversity. The farms operation has been farmed organically since 2019. It is a mixed farm that currently consists of four key elements:

• Currently 2,400 ha of organic arable rotation, including fertility building herbal leys, cover crops, wheat, barley, rye, oats, peas.
• 200 ha of permanent pasture.
• Organic livestock: 1,000 breeding ewes (Aberfield). A commercial suckler herd of pedigree Beef Shorthorns. Small non-commercial herds of Longhorns and British White cattle have been introduced for conservation grazing.
• Extensive stewardship programmes across the in-hand farm.

The current 1000 strong Aberfield mule flock is self-replacing and produces finished lamb for a premium supermarket retailer. There is a strong emphasis on maternal, easy lambing genetics, and the use of technology to assist where appropriate. Ewes are lambed outdoors, and lambs are finished on a forage-only diet. A herd of pedigree Beef shorthorn-based sucklers was established in 2021, with the aim of calving up to 100 cows within the next 3 years. The herd is over wintered in a new building with modern handling facilities, with an emphasis on safety and ease of operation. Currently all progeny is finished on-farm with 100% homegrown forage.

OVERALL JOB PURPOSE

The role of the Rural Stewardship Operator is to lead from the front with our environmental schemes and objectives. You will work closely with the Assistant Farm Manager who will oversee and plan workload to deliver results in the timeframes required meeting the highest operational standards and targets. The role will have a varied workload throughout the year which means the ability to be flexible and adaptable is crucial. Providing support to other areas of the business will also be required during peak workload times through the farming calendar year.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

The following is intended to provide guidance as to duties but is not exhaustive. You will from time to time be required to undertake other activities of a similar nature that fall within your capabilities. Specific duties will include:

• Assist the Assistant Farm Manager to plan, deliver and execute all Stewardship requirements throughout the calendar year.
• Ensure highest standards and quality are achieved.
• Relevant data and record keeping is achieved/maintained to the standard required. This is likely to include some office time with the AFM.
• Maintenance and upkeep of all machinery associated with this varied, busy role.
• Achieve the seasonal upkeep of all roadside verge cutting.
• Achieve the seasonal upkeep of all planned hedge cutting in line with our hedgerow management policy and appropriate records kept.
• The maintenance and appearance of all the in-hand farmyards in keeping with the standards expected.
• To assist with management of grassland - both permanent and rotational. This would include rolling/harrowing/over-seeding/aeration etc.
• Assist the arable team with cultivations and preparation of seedbeds for rotational stewardship options.
• Assist the arable team with seasonal cutting and removal of stewardship options and also rotational weeding programs.
• To develop positive and professional relationships with colleagues.
• To engage in continuous professional development suitable to the role.
• To adhere to the Estate's Health and Safety policy at all times.
• To make a positive contribution to the overall performance of the Estate.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

• Have energy, enthusiasm and a passion for countryside stewardship programs and their delivery.
• Flexibility, a positive attitude and an ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Be self-motivated, organised and able to manage your own time when necessary.
• Ability to work on your own and as part of a team.
• Have good judgement and able to use initiative.
• Full UK driving licence.
• To complete a standard 39hr week, flexibility will be required to cover the hours necessary, due to the seasonal workload overtime hours.
• You must have the right to live and work in the UK.

The role is part of the whole organisation team and as such requires you to perform such reasonable tasks that are required, as and when necessary, to maintain, promote, develop, and expand the business of our organisation and its interests generally. You must carry out your duties to the best of your ability, having consideration for the needs of your colleagues and the Organisation and its clients/customers. You need to have and maintain (with regular training and updates as necessary) the knowledge, technical skills and qualifications that are necessary to perform your job role to comply with the requirements of the Sandringham Estate and any applicable rules, regulations and with any law which applies to your job role.

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