Pig Unit Assistant NEW

Pig Unit Assistant

Salary: Up to £36,974 per annum (inclusive of contractual overtime) (dependant on qualifications and experience)

Working pattern: Full time (rota based)

Location: Sparsholt Campus (Winchester)

Closing date: 27th August 2026

Subsidised onsite accommodation available

Overview

The Pig Unit Assistant at Sparsholt College helps run a high-welfare, commercial-standard pig enterprise. Key duties involve daily stock husbandry, maintaining biosecurity, and supervising students during practical demonstrations. This dual-focused role balances modern farming practices with teaching the next generation of agricultural professionals.

Core Responsibilities

1. Pig Husbandry
2. Execute daily stock tasks including feeding, breeding, farrowing, health monitoring, weighing, and sorting.
3. Maintain rigorous biosecurity and hygiene standards across all accommodation areas.
4. Ensure farm assurance standards and strict environmental regulations are consistently met.
5. Assist in ordering feed, managing stock levels, and undertaking essential estate/facility maintenance (e.g., fencing, housing repairs).

6. Education & Student Supervision
7. Supervise, mentor, and guide Agriculture and Animal Management students during practical on-farm duties and demonstrations.
8. Collaborate with academic staff to deliver experiential learning linked to the curriculum.
9. Act as a role model, adhering to professional standards and strict health and safety protocols while students are on the unit.

10. General Farm Duties
11. Assist with recording of physical and financial data related to the operation of our farm business.
12. Provide wider support across the College Farm as required, including relief duties for other livestock (e.g., dairy, sheep) or machinery operations.

Your skills

• Experience: Hands-on experience working on a commercial pig unit would be advantageous, with a solid understanding of modern, high-welfare pig production.
• Education/Qualifications: Ideally Level 3 qualification (or higher) in Agriculture, Animal Management, or a related land-based subject.
• Training: Ideally have relevant training / hold qualifications in Telehandler, Tractor, PA1/PA6.
• Communication Skills: Ability to instruct and inspire college students.
• Health and Safety: must maintain and follow safety and safeguarding standards at all times, and demonstrate excellent levels of Animal Welfare.
• General: Must hold a full UK driving license, have a proactive and adaptable approach to work and be flexible to participate in our rota-based farm hours.

College Benefits

• Eligibility to join the NEST Pension Scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Occupational Sick Pay & Maternity Pay schemes
• Flexible Working Policy
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Free on-campus gym at Sparsholt Campus
• Opportunity to purchase Sparsholt-grown produce: plants, fresh fruit & veg, fish, and game
• Discounted hair treatments at the Andover campus salon
• Wide range of CPD events, plus support with professional qualifications

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

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