Farm Lead (North Surrey)

Surrey Wildlife Trust are excited to announce a new position within our Conservation Grazing team as "Farm Lead - North Surrey" following an agreement with the landowner to enter a 35yr FBT on a 422-acre mixed farm. The successful applicant will report to the Farms and Livestock Manger and work closely with the Conservation Grazing team, other Surrey Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers to deliver first-class farming practices which support SWT's livestock whilst maximising biodiversity on-farm. This will be achieved through a blended finance model of ELMS and Natural capital so knowledge of one or both would be advantageous.

Despite the focus of the role being delivered on-farm, supporting the conservation grazing team to deliver naturalistic grazing using 350 Belted Galloway cattle and 100 mixed breed sheep over 2700ha on 35+ sites across the county is a major component of the role. In doing so you'll get to see some incredible nature reserves whilst monitoring the health and welfare of the livestock and monitoring the impact they are having on habitat management., Guided by a collaborative vision where we all play a part in connecting nature, we provide expert advice and guidance to landowners and managers, making sure the land we look after leads by example, while inspiring and educating people and organisations across the county on what they can do. By doing this we will create a Surrey that is full of diverse and abundant wildlife, where nature is at the heart of individual choices, corporate decisions, and local economic and policy making. One that helps tackle the ongoing climate emergency, while supporting the health and wellbeing of all who live here.

The successful candidate will need experience of livestock management (running a farm or with principal responsibility), welfare procedures and legal requirements around livestock movements, be able to manage budgets and resources, work within a team and in isolation, hold strong ecological knowledge and a passion for nature. A full driving licence is essential as there will be considerable travel and stock movements across the whole county.