Farm and Estate Technician (Crop Production)

City College Norwich • Norfolk, VA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Farm and Estate Technician will lead crop production and machinery operations across the College’s 162-hectare estate. This hands-on role supports the day-to-day care and management of the estate, including cereal and forage production, grazing management for the farm and equine departments, environmental schemes, hedgerows and boundaries, record keeping, and general estate upkeep. The estate operates a regenerative, conservation-focused system and includes a 150-head sheep flock, a 180-head beef unit, a small suckler herd, equine and small-animal centres, and an outdoor pig farrowing unit.

Working closely with the Head of Estate, the postholder will manage cereal, forage crop and stewardship areas and help shape the enterprise in line with wider estate priorities. They will provide practical learning opportunities for students, including demonstrating machinery skills and operations to small groups. The role also involves operating and maintaining tractors and telehandlers for crop establishment, management and harvesting, livestock feeding and bedding, and field maintenance. The postholder will gather and record performance data and maintain electronic records for assurance-scheme and legislative compliance, using Omnia and JD Operations Centre. They will also work with other estate technicians on seasonal farm and estate tasks, supporting student demonstrations and routine estate management.

The position is 37 hours per week over a five-day week, with normal hours of 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours may vary slightly with the demands of the role. Planned rotational weekend and out-of-hours overtime is required for welfare checks, lambing and harvest as needed. The College requires staff to complete an enhanced Adult and Child Workforce DBS check and register with the DBS Update Service.

Requirements

• Proven experience in crop establishment, management and health, including cultivations, drilling, spreaders and spraying, combining, mowing and baling (essential).
• Full UK driving licence (essential).
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and use own initiative, as well as work within a wider team.
• High expectations for safety, cleanliness and presentation.
• A practical, outdoor-work approach and pride in achieving high standards.
• Enthusiasm for the land-based sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead crop production and machinery operations across the College estate.
• Manage cereal, forage crop and stewardship areas in coordination with the Head of Estate.
• Support cereal and forage production, grazing management, environmental schemes, hedgerows, boundaries and general estate upkeep.
• Shape the crop enterprise to contribute to wider estate priorities.
• Provide practical learning opportunities and demonstrate machinery skills and operations to small groups of students.
• Safely operate and maintain tractors and telehandlers for crop establishment, management and harvesting, livestock feeding and bedding, and field maintenance.
• Gather and record performance data and update electronic records to support assurance-scheme and government-legislation compliance.
• Use Omnia and JD Operations Centre for electronic records and operations.
• Work with other estate technicians on seasonal farm and estate tasks, including student demonstrations and routine estate management.
• Maintain high standards of safety, cleanliness and farm presentation.

Benefits

• Pension scheme with 18% employer contribution.
• Access to health services.
• Corporate discounts.
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with holiday allowance starting at 26 days.
• PPE and workwear provided.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed