Asthall Manor Job Opportunities

We are launching a social enterprise, with wildlife-friendly food growing, soil restoration and biodiversity at its heart. We are developing workshops, residencies and other events, alongside a community supported agriculture scheme (CSA). Community and creativity will also be key players in this enterprise. Alongside this, our director needs help with her work as a Green Party District Councillor, and with land management and life in general.

Below, we’ve described four separate part-time roles.

However, we like to fit the jobs to the people, and would be happy to combine parts of these descriptions into one or two full-time roles, depending upon the skills, interests and experience of the candidates. Some people may choose to balance their work between the practical and the administrative.

Organic Food Grower

2-3 days per week
On site

Practical and some administrative help to the newly established food growing and educational enterprise in the walled garden. We practise and demonstrate permaculture principles, putting biodiversity at the forefront.

Tasks Include:

● Assisting with growing and harvesting food (using organic and no dig methods) to supply a community-supported agriculture scheme (CSA), events at the Manor, and selected local retailers
● Tending crops in beds, polytunnels and other productive areas
● Working with volunteers and supporting events/workshops in the kitchen garden
● Undertaking some of the administration of the kitchen garden

Strengths & experience:

● Experience of growing food commercially
● An empathy with and understanding of organic principles (and ideally experience growing organically and an understanding of soil health)
● A flexible, positive, can-do attitude to work and with willingness to perform a variety of tasks
● Self-motivation: ability to work alone but also be a positive team player
● Resilience: able to work outside in all weathers and do physical work in the garden safely

Please apply as soon as possible for this part of the work as it is urgent.

Political & Personal Assistant

12-15 hours per week, distributed by agreement
Probably 50/50 remote and on site

Research, communications and time management for the landowner and director of the social enterprise, who is also a Green Party district councillor brimming with ideas but struggling with organisation.

Tasks Include:

● Helping with diary management, both work, personal and around the development of Asthall Manor
● Helping with communication of all forms
● Capturing ideas, tasks and projects to create a comprehensive record of past achievements and future commitments.
● Relevant research
● Planning and executing more consistent messaging on social media and other platforms.
● Support (and sometimes initiate) events at the site, connected to the enterprise described above.
● Keeping records of the landowner/councillor’s activities and contacts

Strengths & experience:

● Ability to work individually and in a team.
● Ability to think creatively and see the connections between diverse activities and concepts.
● Extremely well-organised, and able to work with a variety of organisational systems.
● Some understanding of neurodiversity.
● Excellent written and oral communication skills

Administrator

2 – 3 days per week
50/50 remote and on site

Oversee the the smooth running of the house and the social enterprise

Tasks include:

● Answering phones and emails.
● Coordination of maintenance visits
● Keeping up with household utility records
● Managing tenancy Agreements
● Paying invoices and people
● Maintaining household lists & guidelines

Strengths & experience:

● Can work individually or as part of a team.
● Good computer skills (knowledge of Microsoft Excel & word is essential).
● Knowledge of Xero is useful, but not essential.
● Good written and spoken English.
● Good attention to detail

Household & Garden Maintenance

2-3 days per week
Mainly on site

Ongoing household and garden maintenance, fixing and making. We are looking for someone to work with the existing house and garden team.

Tasks Include:

● Routine checks for leaks and malfunctions of various kinds
● General gardening duties when required.
● Assistance with visits by tradespeople
● Clearing gutters.
● Painting & Decorating.
● Repairing and upcycling all manner of things
● Keeping records of required maintenance

Strengths & experience:

● Intermediate maintenance knowledge
● Ability to work individually and in a team.
● Confident with ladders and sensible with machinery
● Good attention to detail

General Details for all roles

We are looking for people with compassion for the diverse needs of people, other animals and plants and those happy to work outdoors.

We believe in fitting the job around the person, and so you do not have to feel confident about each of the abilities described in order to apply.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome candidates from all backgrounds.

Appropriate training will be given.

Because we are inviting you to apply for combinations of roles, it is not appropriate to post a salary at this stage, but these will be well-paid positions, reflecting commitment and experience.

These are fixed term contracts of 12 months, with the possibility of an extension and including a 2-month probationary period. You must be legally entitled to work in the UK.

Please email your CV and a covering letter to [email protected], outlining relevant experience, skills and knowledge and which role or combination of roles you are interested in, along with the hours you have available to work each week.

If you are interested in the organic food grower work please apply as soon as possible.  For the other work the deadline is Friday 2nd June.