Countryside Worker Apprentice

Swinton Estate

Rural Estate

Full time

Temporary

Countryside Worker Apprentice at Swinton Estate

40 hours per week working 5 days over 7, including college commitments and learning time

18 month fixed term contract

• Applications closing on 25th July
• interviews being held week commencing 4th August
• Starting early/mid September
  
  

Swinton Estate is a sprawling 20,000‑acre privately owned estate near Masham, North Yorkshire, set within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. At its heart lies Swinton Park, a grade II* listed 17th‑century country house—later remodelled into a gothic-style castle—that today operates as a luxury 42‑bedroom hotel surrounded by 200 acres of historic parkland, lakes, deer and gardens.

The post holder will have an opportunity to spend a block of time with each of the forestry team and grounds team including time with the Park Ranger who is responsible for the maintenance and care of our Fallow Deer Herd, with an opportunity to then deepen their knowledge in one of these areas for the remainder of their placement.

Outline of the role

• Building and repairing a variety of field boundaries and estate infrastructure including fences, walls and hedging.
• Maintaining public rights of way and private tracks, paths and rides, to include associated gates, stiles and bridges.
• Improving habitats and managing woodland to keep them in good condition by using a variety of appropriate techniques, including pruning, felling or planting so native flora and fauna (plants and animals) can thrive.
• Helping to control invasive species, such as Himalayan Balsam– this could be cutting back, pulling out, spraying or injecting with pesticide.
• Surveying/monitoring habitats and flora and fauna to understand species numbers and relate this to relevant habitat management practices. For example, monitoring of the numbers of merlin (native bird of prey) has resulted in areas of moorland being left unburned (burning is a common management technique to encourage new heather growth).
• Working alongside the sporting, forestry and grounds teams anywhere on the Swinton Estate.
  
  

Benefits

• 30 days holiday per annum, increasing with service
• Learning and development opportunities
• Family and Friends discounts across The Estate
• 24/7 EAP program
• Uniform
• Staff meals when on shift
• Employee appreciation events