Seasonal Livestock Person

The Nene Washes is a washland for the River Nene, in Cambridgeshire. We look after 800 hectares of the 1,522 hectare site, and it’s one of the few remaining areas of washland in the UK. In the summer, the area is mostly grassland, while come winter, much of the area is flooded, providing safe haven and foraging for thousands of birds. We use c800 cattle to keep the land in favourable condition for the thousands of birds that visit and important species such as Snipe, Black-tailed godwit and Cranes.

We require a team player to join us in maintaining the health and wellbeing of the cattle throughout the grazing season, maintaining the associated infrastructure, monitoring and managing water levels, assisting with record keeping and performing daily shepherding (including some weekend cover).

You will be required to work on site at the Nene Washes and from our office in Whittlesey – accommodation may be provided.

Essential skills and knowledge required

• Demonstrable experience handling cattle, including safe handling, routine husbandry, and monitoring animal welfare, or equivalent transferable experience.
• Ability to carry out husbandry tasks in line with recognised welfare standards and appropriately report concerns.
• Ability to work independently, organise and prioritise tasks, and complete duties reliably with minimal supervision.
• Experience in the installation and maintenance of cattle infrastructure
• Experience maintaining accurate records in line with relevant regulatory or organisational requirements, or the ability to learn quickly.
• Ability to safely operate off-road vehicles and farm equipment in line with health and safety standards.
• Working knowledge of land management practices, including the role of grazing in conservation or environmental outcomes, or willingness to develop this knowledge.
• Ability to carry out routine land management tasks safely and to a consistent standard.

All criteria are open to applicants with equivalent experience, informal learning, or relevant training, and reasonable adjustments will be supported where needed.

Additional Information

This is a fixed-term role for 6 months, full-time (37.5 hours per week).

For all application/role enquiries please contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

We aim to hold interviews as soon as possible and will be reviewing applications as they come in, so please don’t hesitate to apply. Please note that we are actively recruiting for this vacancy, and reserve the right to close once sufficient applications have been received.

As part of this application process, you will be asked to provide a cv and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.