Vacancies
As an expanding business we are always interested to hear from those who wish to work for us. Any specific vacancies are listed below however if you feel you have something to offer but do not match the criteria listed we would still be happy to receive your details.
Game Farm (Pheasants) Assistant
We are a busy and progressive business breeding and rearing game birds (pheasants and partridges) currently requiring practical and enthusiastic people to join our team as a Farm Assistant. Heart of England Farms Ltd over-winter large flocks of birds for breeding in the following season. These flocks are then paired or grouped in the Autumn and the following early Spring to be settled for the start of the breeding season. All birds undertake a health inspection and rigid vaccination programme to ensure their health and the ongoing health of their off-spring. Laying commences in early Spring when our hatchery starts producing the first day old chicks in mid April. Batches of chicks are kept week on week to be reared on to poults.Initially you will be working within different teams and will help with the responsibility of our breeding birds. Sorting birds from their winter quarters, assisting with the vaccination programme, then placing into the breeding units. Then as the spring progresses you will assist with egg collecting and egg washing on a daily rota basis. Power washing duties will include, equipment used in the rearing of birds, buildings and hatchery on a weekly basis. You will work with the team on a 'bitting' gang, catching birds for sale and working with the staff responsible for the rearing of the birds.To be suitable for this role you may have some livestock experience, this need not be in game birds but beneficial if you do. It is very important that you are prepared to take responsibility and able to work alone or as part of a team. You will ideally have worked in a similar environment and have prior experience of livestock management.
Salary is totally dependent upon your experience and will be discussed at interview. We are interested in seeing the details of both experienced people who can hit the ground running and are looking for high levels of responsibility or those who have little experience and would like to gain in their knowledge and grow into the role. We have opportunities for both levels of ability.We offer a 40 hour working week contract (Mon - Fri). However the actual hours worked will be between 48-55 per week inc weekends. Weekend work (either a Saturday or Sunday NOT both) is required during busy times. Weekend work attracts an additional pay bonus. We pay hourly not annually so all hours worked are paid for!
Part Time Assistants
We are currently looking for part time farm assistants to join our team. A variety of jobs could be offered and available depending on the hours you are looking to work.
Egg Washing/Collecting - Working with a team managing the daily washing of our eggs, loading eggs onto hatching trays, sorting out 'the very dirty' from 'the clean' checking for cracks and damage, keeping different breed eggs separate. Going with the teams collecting eggs for washing the following day. We need a team 7 days a week so this role is available for 1 day a week to 7 days to suit. Just looking for weekend work? This role could suit you. No specific skills required, main attributes are to be quick, efficient, hard working, reliable and honest.
Chick Box Making/Pressure Washing – these positions can be carried out any day of the week. Making chick boxes from flat pack pre formed cardboard, a very easy repetitive job. Using a pressure washing machine to clean and sometimes disinfect equipment and buildings. No previous experience is required however you must be organised and able to work quickly. Full waterproof clothing will be provided. May be suitable for someone looking for just a few days a week and not full days.
'Bitting' Birds - once a week for 12-14 weeks of the spring/summer we require a large team of people for the 'bitting' of birds. This role would involve working in a team picking up the young birds and bitting them prior to their movement to pens out on the field. The process of 'bitting' is a welfare aid and prevents them feather pecking other birds. You would need to be happy working in an environment with birds, potentially catching or holding them before crating them to be moved. Bitting takes place on a Wednesday and Thursday and again the length of time required each week changes depending upon the point in the season.
Van Driver – Part-Time
We will be looking for part time Van drivers for our summer season. This role is not available immediately however should start during March/April. You would be required to deliver eggs, chicks and poults to estates around the country. Our customers range from Scotland to Cornwall and Suffolk to Wales therefore you would need to be happy with some long distance driving. Generally one or two days per week during our busy summer season. Salary dependent upon experience.