SESSIONAL FARM WORKER

Job Title: Sessional Farm Worker
Salary: £14.80 per hour
Contract Type: Zero Hour Contract
Responsible to: Farmyard Manager

Job Description:

This is an exciting opportunity to become involved with one of London’s hidden treasures and support us in being able to provide opportunities, education and training to the local community and beyond.

As a small yet growing charitable organisation, this also offers candidates an opportunity for personal and professional growth.

This role helps to maintain our farmyard to a high standard and ensure all our visitors have the best possible experience.

Main Purpose of the Job: The post holder is responsible for leading the day to day running of the farmyard, care and welfare of animals and supervising and training volunteers. Deputising for the Farmyard Manager and Farmyard Assistant in their absence. This is a sessional position that includes weekend work.

Main Responsibilities:

Animal Care & Welfare

Assist with daily husbandry routines including feeding, watering, mucking out, bedding, and basic health checks.
Carry out more advanced animal care tasks when required, including administering basic treatments or injections under direction and in line with training and farm protocols. (Where the post-holder is not trained to administer injections, they will support treatments in other appropriate ways as directed).
Assist with the care and monitoring of sick or injured animals and follow treatment plans set by the Farmyard Manager or veterinary professionals.
Observe animal behaviour closely and report any health, welfare, or behavioural concerns promptly to the Farmyard Manager or Farmyard Assistant.
Maintain clean, safe, and hygienic animal enclosures and public areas.
Follow all animal welfare legislation, farm policies, and biosecurity procedures always.
Facilitate supervised animal meet-and-greet sessions, ensuring positive experiences for visitors while prioritising animal welfare, hygiene, and safety always.

Public Engagement & Education

Provide a friendly, informative, and professional presence in the farmyard.
Answer visitor questions and share appropriate information about the animals, farming practices, and the work of the farm.
Support informal learning and engagement with families, children, schools, and community groups when necessary.
Supervise visitors in animal areas and promote safe, respectful behaviour around animals.

Corporate & Volunteer Group Support

Support and supervise corporate volunteering groups and other volunteer groups working in the farmyard.
Brief groups on tasks, health & safety, and animal welfare expectations.
Ensure volunteering activities are carried out safely, productively, and in line with farm priorities.
Provide a positive and engaging volunteering experience while maintaining high standards of care and safety.

Health & Safety

Help ensure the farmyard is a safe environment for visitors, volunteers, staff, and animals.
Actively monitor public and working areas and intervene appropriately when unsafe behaviour occurs.
Follow all health & safety procedures, including manual handling, hygiene, and safeguarding protocols.
Assist with opening and closing checks of the farmyard as required.

Reporting & Communication

Report directly to the Farmyard Manager or designated senior staff member during each shift.
Ensure clear handovers and communication with other staff and sessional workers.
Accurately complete a daily entry in the Farmyard Report Diary, recording animal care, treatments, incidents, volunteer activity, and any issues arising during

The ideal candidate will have significant experience working with young children, preferably in an environmental or outdoors education setting.

Teamwork & Operations

Work collaboratively with permanent staff, other sessional workers, and volunteers.
Support events, workshops, corporate days, and seasonal activities as required.
Carry out other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.

Person Specification:

Essential

This position will involve contact with young people. The post holder will therefore be subject to an enhanced DBS clearance on appointment and on an appropriate review basis thereafter.

Genuine interest in animals, farming, or community education.
Confidence engaging with the public, including children and families.
Ability to follow instructions and work safely.
Reliable, punctual, and flexible.

Desirable

Previous experience working with Livestock & Small Animals
Experience in a public-facing, education, or community setting.
Basic understand of animal welfare & Health & Safety.

Additional information

The role involves working outdoors in all weather conditions
Some weekend; school holiday, & occasional evening work may be required.
Successful applicants may be required to undergo safeguarding checks in line with organisational policy (enhanced DBS check & referees).