Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title:
Assistant Stockperson
Department:
Estates and Enterprise
Team:
Grazing Enterprise Team
Responsible to:
Grazing Enterprise Manager
Responsible for:
Volunteers
Job Band:
Band B - £18,000 to £23,000
Job Purpose:
As part of the Estates and Enterprise Department, the post is essential to the
successful delivery of the Trust’s vision for Living Landscapes in Hampshire and the
Isle of Wight. The post holder will, through the Grazing Enterprise Manager,
contribute towards the welfare and husbandry of the Trust’s livestock as our cattle
herd and sheep flock expands. The Assistant Stockperson will support the delivery of
effective conservation grazing on land for which the Trust has ownership or
management responsibility, working closely with those who have day to day
responsibility for the sites themselves. They will provide support to other staff in the
organisation, particularly site managers, bringing expertise in livestock husbandry,
welfare and grazing management. They will be responsible for farm infrastructure
and maintenance tasks as well as vehicles and equipment used by the team. The
post will also support the Trust’s ability to fulfil its legal and contractual obligations
associated with conservation grazing as well as meeting public safety obligations.
The post holder must be willing to promote and drive forward the development of our
grazing livestock enterprises as well as effectively communicate with other staff and
adhere to Trusts policies and procedures for working.
It is a cross cutting role requiring the post holder to work closely with staff from all
Trust Departments and in particular the Conservation Area Teams and therefore
requires a high level of communication skills as well as livestock skills.
Key Responsibilities:
Managing Trust livestock
 Assist with day-to-day management, husbandry and welfare of livestock on
Trust sites, in-transit and on Trust farm holdings, including provision of
appropriate emergency cover outside normal working hours as requested by
line manager.
 Carry out routine and pre-movement testing for bTB as required, and
contribute to maintaining excellent bio-security measures across Trust land
holdings
 Implement herd health plans which achieve good health and welfare of
livestock while also delivering biodiversity objectives of conservation grade
land
 Assist in the implementation of a successful livestock breeding programme.
 Promote the development of biddable and good-natured livestock herds,
including exposure to handling, people and dogs where appropriate,
identification and removal of unsuitable animals.
 Organise and implement the efficient distribution and transport of livestock
between sites to deliver the required grazing management.
 Support other Trust staff to ensure a high level of husbandry and compliance
with legal requirements of livestock management are maintained by other
staff involved in grazing.
 Deputise for the Stockperson in their absence.
Record Keeping and Cross-Compliance
 Through the Stockperson, be responsible for relevant parts of the
administrative requirements associated with livestock keeping, including
movement recording and reporting, risk assessments, medical records,
pedigree registrations, incident logs and livestock temperament assessments.
 Embody a positive, conscientious approach to cross-compliance, record
keeping and livestock regulations.
 Provide information and assist other staff as required to comply with wider
Trust responsibilities for Cross Compliance and record keeping
Site Maintenance and Capital Projects
 Assist with the implementation of maintenance and capital projects.
 Organise and undertake maintenance tasks on Trust holdings, including farm
land management, farm building maintenance, cleaning of livestock buildings.
 Maintain farm and livestock machinery and vehicles in good state of repair
and cleanliness and meet legal requirements.
 Take a lead on maintaining regular vehicle and infrastructure checks and
repairs on Grazing Enterprise vehicles and holdings.
Developing a Grazing Enterprise
 Alongside the Grazing Enterprise Manager and Stockperson, promote the
development of the grazing enterprise as directed by the Grazing Enterprise
Business Plan.
 Develop excellent internal relationships, working and communicating with
other staff and volunteers to help deliver appropriate grazing across the full
suite of sites managed by the Trust
 Develop and maintain good relations with statutory bodies, landowners, vets,
funders, public and neighbours.
 Input into the development of a high-quality, local meat marketing scheme.
 Assist in the Grazing Enterprise monitoring programme.
Health and Safety
 Ensure appropriate levels of safety around farm holdings for all livestock,
staff, contractors and visitors.
 Ensure all Trust health and safety policies and procedures are adhered to
throughout the Grazing Enterprise.
 Promote safe working practices when working with livestock and machinery
etc
Management of volunteers
 Supervise and train volunteers who assist with livestock checking and carry
out practical tasks on farm holdings.
Inspiring People & Securing Recognition
 Undertake occasional walks/talks to encourage local support, educate and
raise awareness.
 Promote the Trust, the Grazing Enterprise and wider Trust objectives when
engaging with the public and visitors to Trust managed holdings.
Contributing to a successful Trust
 Participate fully in team/department and staff meetings, maintain excellent
communication with other staff across the Trust and embody a positive
culture of sharing and learning.
 Promote the Trust wherever possible, in particular recruiting new members
and acting as an ambassador for our vision, values and aims.
 Abide by all Trust procedures, policies and legal obligations.
General
 Undertake additional duties commensurate with the post as may reasonably
be requested from time to time.
Special Considerations:
Out-of-hours working and on-call
 Weekend, evening and emergency call out working will be integral to this
post.
 The post holder must reside within a reasonable distance of the Trusts main
farm holding in Hook, Hampshire for emergency call outs.
Date: 6th Jan 2015