Farm Manager Rheolwr Fferm

Black Mountains College is an educational charity; a radical new institution dedicated to climate action and adaptation. We offer three levels of education: further education (vocational training), higher education (undergraduate) and short courses and public education delivered at multiple sites across the Brecon Beacons National Park.

We help people in every sector and of all ages understand what the climate emergency means for them and prepare for just and appropriate responses to the multiplying impacts emerging. At the heart of our operations is Troed-yr-Harn farm, a beautiful venue for land-based learning and agro-ecological experimentation on 120 acres of the Black Mountains outside Talgarth, Powys, in Wales.

We are seeking a Farm Manager to ensure the smooth running of educational, and agro-ecological activities at the farm. This role is generously funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

This is a permanent full time role and includes accommodation in a tied two bedroom cottage on the farm.

The Farm Manager will shape and implement the agro-ecological land use plan for the farm in consultation with colleagues, students and partners to deliver opportunities for learning, research and a practical demonstration of agro-ecology in practice.

This will include promoting and facilitating a diversity of habitats and land use choices such as experimental arable, perennial wheat, heritage seed, hedgerow and woodland expansion, silvio-pasture, alley cropping, agro-forestry, orchard establishment, a physic garden and intensive horticulture.

The Farm Manager will manage and monitor these activities in line with agreed budgets, ecological surveys, data gathering, subsidy regimes and governmental schemes where appropriate. They will also work with colleagues to craft educational opportunities linked to this activity on the land at all levels of the BMC offer: short courses, further education and higher education. It may also include forest school and school visits.

The farm is bounded on three side by a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Pwll-y-Wrach Nature Reserve, and farm activity will take account of this important habitat.

Black Mountains College is part of a dynamic network of organisations and partnerships aiming to transform food systems, influence policy discussions, develop reciprocity and solidarity across real farming activities, and strengthen national and international networks. The role will provide opportunities to participate in and engage with our community and network activities.

Partners include The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Our Food 1200, The Real Farming Trust’s College for Farming and Food Culture, the Open Society University Network, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Talgarth Mill, Grow for Talgarth, On the Verge, The Food Farming and Countryside Commission, The Landworkers Alliance, the Nature Friendly Farming Network, Schumacher College, The Apricot Centre and FarmEd.

Responsibilities

As a farm manager, you’ll need to:

• Understand and commit to agro-ecological principles of regenerative land use.
• Maintain and supervise the collection of ecological data and surveys.
• Plan finances and activities to maintain farm progress against budget parameters
• Work with our land agent to stay abreast of funding opportunities, environmental schemes and payments
• Undertake practical activities, such as driving tractors, operating machinery, supervising stock, planting crops
• Buy supplies, such as fertiliser and seeds
• Understand the implications of weather and climatic changes and how that may affect farm planning
• Ensure that farm activities comply with government regulations
• Understand pests and diseases and appropriate understanding of how they spread and how to treat them
• Apply health and safety standards across the farm estate
• Protect the environment and promote biodiversity
• Keep financial records up to date
• Arrange the maintenance and repair of farm buildings, machinery, equipment, etc.
• Support short courses and retreats and work with the site manager to ensure the smooth integration of educational activities with farm activity.
• Plan activities for staff, workaway volunteers and students including mentoring and monitoring them

 

Benefits

• Accommodation is provided as part of the package as you will be required to live on the farm.
• £35,000 pa (works out to the equivalent of a £45,000 salary when free accommodation is taken into account)
• 28 days leave, pension, and personal continued developmental training allowance
• BMC maintains an electric ATV and an electric minibus at the campus which you may use.

Working hours

You will generally work 37.5 hours per week, but you will also be on call in the evenings in case of emergencies . You will be responsible for providing emergency first aid to others when required, and use a vehicle to transport anyone to hospital in the event of an emergency.

What to expect

• Travel during the working day may occasionally be necessary.
• A Site Manager, some students and volunteers also live on campus.

 

Qualifications and skills

Essential

• Previous hands-on experience of farming and farm management
• Commitment to agro-ecological principles and practices
• A related degree or vocational qualification in ecology, environmental science, agricultural engineering, farm business management, horticulture, land/estate management.
• Attention to detail
• Collaborative and flexible approach to working with diverse stakeholders
• Financial experience of managing budgets
• Organisational and time-management skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Supervisory skills and management ability
• Willingness to be outside in all weathers and patience to undertake all sorts of practical, sometimes repetitive jobs
• a full driving licence
• self-motivation, with the ability to motivate others
• larger-scale business awareness

 

Desirable

• Experience of applying for Glastir or other land-based grants
• A H&S qualification is highly desirable. If you do not possess a H&S qualification such as IOSH Level 3 qualification at the minimum, BMC will organise for you to receive this training. You must be willing to complete this.
• A First Aid qualification is essential – BMC will put you through the required training if you do not already have this. This will be a minimum of a 1-day Forestry Emergency First Aid course.
• Welsh speaker
• Experience of teaching and outdoor learning

 

Apply

With a cover letter and CV to jobs@blackmountainscollege.uk by September 30, 2022

 

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Elusen addysgol yw Coleg y Mynydd Du; sefydliad newydd radical sy’n ymroddedig i addasu a gweithredu dros yr hinsawdd. Rydym yn cynnig tair lefel o addysg: addysg bellach (hyfforddiant galwedigaethol), addysg uwch (israddedig) a chyrsiau byr ac addysg gyhoeddus a ddarperir mewn nifer o safleoedd ar draws Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog.

Rydym yn helpu pobl ym mhob sector ac o bob oedran i ddeall beth mae’r argyfwng hinsawdd yn ei olygu iddyn nhw a pharatoi ar gyfer ymatebion cyfiawn a phriodol i’r effeithiau niferus sy’n dod i’r amlwg. Wrth wraidd ein gweithrediadau mae fferm Troed-yr-Harn, lleoliad hardd ar gyfer cyrsiau’r tir ac arbrofi amaethyddol-ecolegol ar 120 erw o’r Mynydd Du y tu allan i Dalgarth, Powys, yng Nghymru.

Rydym yn chwilio am Reolwr Fferm i sicrhau rhediad esmwyth gweithgareddau addysgol ac  amaethyddol-ecolegol ar y fferm.

Mae hon yn swydd lawn amser barhaol sy’n cynnwys llety mewn bwthyn dwy ystafell wely sydd ynghlwm wrth y fferm.

Bydd Rheolwr y Fferm yn llunio a gweithredu’r cynllun defnydd tir amaethyddol-ecolegol ar gyfer y fferm gan ymgynghori â chydweithwyr, myfyrwyr a phartneriaid i ddarparu cyfleoedd ar gyfer dysgu, ymchwil ac arddangosiad ymarferol o amaethecoleg ar waith.

Bydd hyn yn cynnwys hyrwyddo a hwyluso amrywiaeth o gynefinoedd a dewisiadau defnydd tir megis tir âr arbrofol, gwenith lluosflwydd, hadau treftadaeth, ehangu gwrychoedd a choetiroedd, coed-borfeydd, plannu cnydau rhwng rhesi coed, amaethgoedwigaeth, sefydlu perllannau, gardd berlysiau a garddwriaeth ddwys.

Bydd Rheolwr y Fferm yn rheoli ac yn monitro’r gweithgareddau hyn yn unol â chyllidebau y cytunwyd arnynt, arolygon ecolegol, casglu data, cyfundrefnau cymhorthdal a chynlluniau llywodraethol lle bo hynny’n briodol. Byddant hefyd yn gweithio gyda chydweithwyr i lunio cyfleoedd addysgol sy’n gysylltiedig â’r gweithgaredd hwn ar y tir ar bob lefel o’r hyn a gynigir gan y Coleg: cyrsiau byr, addysg bellach ac addysg uwch. Gallai hefyd gynnwys ysgol goedwig ac ymweliadau ysgolion.

Amgylchynir y fferm ar dair ochr gan Safle o Ddiddordeb Gwyddonol Arbennig, Gwarchodfa Natur Pwll-y-Wrach, a bydd gweithgarwch y fferm yn ystyried y cynefin pwysig hwn.

Mae Coleg y Mynydd Du yn rhan o rwydwaith deinamig o sefydliadau a phartneriaethau sy’n anelu at drawsnewid systemau bwyd, dylanwadu ar drafodaethau polisi, datblygu dwyochredd ac undod mewn bob math o weithgareddau ffermio go iawn, a chryfhau rhwydweithiau cenedlaethol a rhyngwladol. Bydd y swydd yn darparu cyfleoedd i gymryd rhan yn ein gweithgareddau cymunedol a rhwydwaith a gweithio’n agos â nhw.

Mae’r partneriaid yn cynnwys Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog, Ein Bwyd 1200, The Real Farming Trust’s College for Farming and Food Culture, the Open Society University Network, Prifysgol Metropolitan Caerdydd, Melin Talgarth, Grow for Talgarth, On the Verge, Y Comisiwn Bwyd, Ffermio a Chefn Gwlad, Cynghrair Gweithwyr y Tir, y Rhwydwaith Ffermio er Lles Natur, Schumacher College, The Apricot Centre a FarmEd.

Cyfrifoldebau

Fel rheolwr fferm, bydd angen i chi wneud y canlynol:

• Deall ac ymrwymo i egwyddorion amaethyddol-ecolegol defnydd tir adfywiol.
• Cynnal a goruchwylio arolygon a chasglu data ecolegol.
• Cynllunio cyllid a gweithgareddau i gynnal cynnydd y fferm o fewn cyfyngiadau cyllideb
• Gweithio gyda’n hasiant tir er mwyn cael y newyddion diweddaraf am gyfleoedd ariannu, cynlluniau amgylcheddol a thaliadau
• Ymgymryd â gweithgareddau ymarferol, fel gyrru tractorau gyrru, gweithio gyda pheiriannau, goruchwylio stoc, plannu cnydau
• Prynu cyflenwadau, fel gwrtaith a hadau
• Deall goblygiadau’r tywydd a newidiadau yn yr hinsawdd a sut y gallai hynny effeithio ar gynllunio ar y fferm
• Sicrhau bod gweithgareddau’r fferm yn cydymffurfio â rheoliadau’r llywodraeth
• Deall plâu a chlefydau a bod â dealltwriaeth briodol o sut maen nhw’n lledaenu a sut i’w trin
• Cymhwyso safonau iechyd a diogelwch ar draws stad y fferm
• Diogelu’r amgylchedd a hyrwyddo bioamrywiaeth
• Cadw cofnodion ariannol yn gyfredol
• Trefnu gwaith cynnal a chadw a thrwsio adeiladau, peiriannau, offer ac ati’r fferm
• Cefnogi cyrsiau byr ac enciliadau a gweithio gyda rheolwr y safle i sicrhau bod gweithgareddau addysgol yn cael eu cymathu’n llyfn â gweithgaredd y fferm
• Cynllunio gweithgareddau ar gyfer staff, gwirfoddolwyr Workaway a myfyrwyr, gan gynnwys eu mentora a’u monitro

Manteision

• Darperir llety fel rhan o’r pecyn oherwydd bydd gofyn i chi fyw ar y fferm
• £35,000 y flwyddyn, gan gynnwys 28 diwrnod o wyliau, lwfans hyfforddi a phensiwn (sy’n gweithio allan i’r hyn sy’n cyfateb i gyflog o £45,000 pan ystyrir y llety am ddim
• Mae’r Coleg yn cynnal Cerbyd Pob Tir (ATV) trydan a bws mini trydan ar y campws y gallwch eu defnyddio.

 

Oriau gwaith

Ar y cyfan byddwch yn gweithio 37.5 awr yr wythnos, ond byddwch hefyd ar alwad gyda’r nosau rhag ofn y bydd argyfwng. Byddwch yn gyfrifol am ddarparu cymorth cyntaf brys i eraill pan fydd angen, a defnyddio cerbyd i gludo unrhyw un i’r ysbyty mewn achos o argyfwng.

 

Beth i’w ddisgwyl

• Efallai y bydd angen teithio yn ystod y diwrnod gwaith o dro i dro.
• Mae rheolwr safle a rhai myfyrwyr a gwirfoddolwyr hefyd yn byw ar y campws.

 

Cymwysterau a Sgiliau

Hanfodol

• Profiad ymarferol blaenorol o ffermio a rheoli fferm
• Ymrwymiad i egwyddorion ac arferion amaethyddol-ecolegol
• Gradd neu gymhwyster galwedigaethol cysylltiedig mewn ecoleg, gwyddoniaeth amgylcheddol, peirianneg amaethyddol, rheoli busnes fferm, garddwriaeth, rheoli tir/ystadau.
• Llygad am fanylder
• Dull cydweithredol a hyblyg o weithio gyda rhanddeiliaid amrywiol
• Profiad ariannol o reoli cyllidebau
• Sgiliau trefnu a rheoli amser
• Y gallu i weithio o dan bwysau
• Sgiliau goruchwylio a’r gallu i reoli
• Parodrwydd i fod tu allan ym mhob tywydd ac amynedd i ymgymryd â phob math o swyddi ymarferol ac ailadroddus ar adegau
• Trwydded yrru lawn
• Hunangymhelliant, â’r gallu i ysgogi eraill
• Ymwybyddiaeth busnes ar raddfa fwy

 

Dymunol

• Profiad o wneud cais am gynllun Glastir neu grantiau eraill ar y tir
• Byddai cymhwyster Iechyd a Diogelwch yn ddymunol iawn. Os nad oes gennych o leiaf gymhwyster Lefel 3 IOSH, bydd y Coleg yn trefnu i chi gael yr hyfforddiant hwn. Rhaid i chi fod yn barod i gwblhau hyn.
• Mae cymhwyster Cymorth Cyntaf yn hanfodol – bydd y Coleg yn eich rhoi chi drwy’r hyfforddiant gofynnol os nad oes gennych hyn eisoes. Bydd hwn yn gwrs Cymorth Cyntaf Brys mewn Coedwigaeth am 1 diwrnod o leiaf.
• Siarad Cymraeg
• Profiad o addysgu a dysgu yn yr awyr agored

 

Gwneud cais

Anfonwch lythyr cais a CV at jobs@blackmountainscollege.uk erbyn 30 Medi, 2022