Summary

National Trust place

Forming the head of the Machno catchment – Foel is located in the former quarrying village of Cwm Penmachno; the land adjoins the NT’s Ysbyty Estate which is important for both natural assets and cultural value, and includes 51 tenanted farms and the impressive nationally significant Migneint deep-peat blanket bog.

Interviews will be on Thursday 10th February 2022

Summary

Foel was acquired late 2021 with a clear mission to restore, create and connect habitats, and provide the necessary platform to connect natural resources with people’s wellbeing. We have decided not to let Foel as a farm tenancy because of the fundamental change to land use, and de-risking what will be challenging work. Therefore we are seeking a highly enthusiastic naturalist who possess upland Welsh farming skills and loves playing an active part in the community. These three pillars will guide us to finding the right Farm Manager for Foel – and it could be you. If you prefer to keep yourself to yourself, your focus is on agricultural productivity, and conservation is just a word, this is not the role for you.

Please click here for a video about the Farm Manager role. 

What it's like to work here

No two days will be the same, from the time you leave the 4-bedroom farmhouse in Foel, see to livestock, liaise with estate staff on ground works, communicate plans with contractors, discuss progress and ideas with members of the Cwm community, and run an organised livestock recording and field data system, the day will be full, interesting, and you’ll see your efforts in the ongoing landscape transformation.

And how about living here? Cwm community is a warm and friendly society keen to know what’s happening – and play their part. Around you are NT and non-NT farms who’ll be keen to see you forming a strong part in the agricultural community, and given the open mountain on Y Migneint, and the defiant strays, you’ll be keen to embrace their support too.

Mae pob diwrnod yn wahanol. O bryd i’w gilydd, byddwch yn gadael y ffermdy 4 llofft yn Foel, yn gofalu am dda byw, ymwneud â staff yr ystâd ynghylch gwaith tir, rhannu cynlluniau gyda chontractwyr, trafod cynnydd a syniadau gydag aelodau o gymuned Cwm, a rhedeg system gofnodion da byw a data tir. Bydd y diwrnod y orlawn, diddorol, a bydd ôl eich ymdrechion i’w weld yn nhrawsnewidiad y tirlun.

A beth am fyw yma? Mae cymuned Cwm yn groesawgar a chyfeillgar, sy’n awyddus i wybod beth sy’n digwydd - a chwarae eu rhan. O’ch cwmpas chi, mae ffermydd yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol a ffermydd arferol, a byddant yn awyddus i’ch gweld chi’n chwarae rhan gref o fewn y gymuned amaethyddol, ac o ystyried mynydd agored Y Migneint a’r defaid sy’n mynnu crwydro, byddwch yn falch o gymorth y ffermydd hynny hefyd.

What you'll be doing

You’ll have responsibility for the care, welfare and management of the sheep flock at Foel, and how this is managed will in large part flow from the management plan for habitats on the farm, creating space for trees to regenerate and be planted, and be a key team player. The latter point is important, there’s a strong team working on the Ysbyty Estate and the Upper Conwy catchment, and you’ll find yourself being part of this group, feeding into plans and implementing what is required. When right to do so, you’ll also start to build a herd of hardy cattle whose primary objective is to graze for the benefit of habitat and woodland restoration. You’ll be an experienced shepherd with at least basic sheepdog handling skills, whilst out walking the land and checking or gathering stock, you’ll observe and record plant life and changes you are experiencing.

Who we're looking for

We need an organised and experienced person in managing land for nature and who is able to handle livestock. An excellent communicator, you’ll easily integrate into the Cwm community and the agricultural community around you. But more than anything, we are looking for a person who’ll surprise us with their drive and enthusiasm for reversing the decline in nature and connecting this with people in an original and effective way.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary