Job Opportunities
Beekeeper Jobs
Seasonal Beekeeper
To apply in the first instance please complete the expression of interest form below, or call Luke on 07752 534953 / 01434 322981 for an informal chat.
Background
We are a team of beekeepers at Northumberland Honey Co, collectively managing between 250 honey production colonies with an aim in the 2024 season to increase to 300 + . Alongside honey production activities we run 700 mating nuclei for queen production, undertaking instrumental insemination of queens for queen breeding, working from our base at Haltwhistle and various out apiary sites.
We pride ourselves on running an operation with an exceptionally low varroa, swarming rates, and disease. This is something you should be able to implement too and share our beekeeping passion.
We are looking to grow our team with the position of a seasonal Beekeeper. You will work alongside two other beekeepers and a production assistant. This position has the opportunity to progress in future to a full time / throughout the year position following a 6 month probationary period for the right candidate.
Job Description
This job role is very varied with multiple skill sets required, but primarily the job is beekeeping. Therefore we would expect excellent knowledge, understanding and practical application of beekeeping. Including commercial honey bee colony management at scale, a deep understanding of the importance of timings in beekeeping, split management, swarm control techniques and evidence of working to a high level in beekeeping. You will have a deep understanding of varroa management and control. You will also be able to work under pressure and for long hours in the beekeeping season as needed. A high degree of flexibility is required, being able to work longer for example if the weather has been poor followed by a good weather window to get certain beekeeping tasks completed.
This job will initially be for a period of 6 months (probationary period, or through choice of the candidate if wanting only seasonsal work) there will be the opportunity to extend to a permanent full time role if desired.
You will be independently responsible for managing a number of honey production colonies alongside mating nuclei, all under direction in a structured and planned working week.
You will be supported by staff in the workshop and honey extraction and order fulfilment staff. If there are times where staffing necessitates, there may be involvement with all aspects of the business, without loosing sight of the main beekeeping responsibilities in hand. As a small team we all pull together to get the job done, you will therefore need to be a team player.
There are opportunities in this job role which allow for building skills in queen rearing such as instrumental insemination which is undertaken in house and if interested training will be provided. You would be expected to have a passion for bee farming and to engage in professional development.
Salary / Hours
Dependent on experience. Salary is reviewed annually.
£26,400 – £41,500 pro rata
Hours worked during summer months will be around 46 hours per week but variable depending on the weather (in keeping with the nature of beekeeping)
Annual Leave
As standard we provide 6 weeks annual leave per year on a pro rata basis and are quite flexible on annual leave requirements so long as the beekeeping needs of the bees are met.
Benefits
Company pension scheme, 30 days (6 weeks) annual leave per year pro rata, and company vehicle for work. If progressing to full time position, and if desired we can offer flexibile working with less hours/ days worked in winter. Permanent role following probationary period if desired.
Start Date
You need to be able to start by the start of the active beekeeping season – April and work until at least July, ideally September. Unless staying on in a permanent capacity.
Local Area & Accomodation
Haltwhistle is a great place to live and work, a self contained town with all the amenities, supermarkets, post office, outdoor heated swimming pool, hadrians wall and plenty of walks and outdoor activities just a stones throw away. Coupled with fantastic road links thanks to the A69 to the rest of the country with the M6 only 20 minutes away and the A1 reached in 30 minutes. Properties are available to rent close to the business for around £4-500 per month. We are able to give some support with finding suitable accommodation.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Excellent communicator, hard work ethic, a passion for bee farming and continuing professional development.
A can do attitude to work and learning new skills, a desire to starting early, working late if needed and pulling together to work as a team to get the job done.
A deep knowledge of beekeeping / commercial beekeeping, and evidence of beekeeping experience suited to the role.
Completion of BFA apprenticeship scheme OR equivalent UK commercial beekeeping experience.
Full UK driving licence.
2 References.
Desirable Criteria
Experience in commercial queen rearing, mating nuc management, splits, queen introduction, evidence of beekeeping work, successes and failures.
Experience of grafting, cell builder management. DASH accreditation. Trailer towing experience +/- other driving qualifications.
Application Process
Please complete the application form below.
Given previous experience we are often oversubscribed with applicants, and whilst we endeavour to get back to all applicants it may be that we can only respond to shortlisted applicants and those who fit the essential criteria above. We will only be able to review those applications who are complete and full applications.
Seasonal Beekeeper Job Application Form
Bee Farmers Apprentice
To apply in the first instance please complete the expression of interest form below, or call Luke on 07752 534953 / 01434 322981 for an informal chat.
Background
We are a team of beekeepers at Northumberland Honey Co, collectively managing between 250 honey production colonies with an aim in the 2024 season to increase to 300 + . Alongside honey production activities we run 700 mating nuclei for queen production, undertaking instrumental insemination of queens for queen breeding, working from our base at Haltwhistle and various out apiary sites.
We pride ourselves on running an operation with an exceptionally low varroa, swarming rates, and disease. This is something you should be able to implement too and share our beekeeping passion.
We are looking to grow our team with the position of a Bee Farmers Apprentice. You will work alongside two other beekeepers and a production assistant. This position has the opportunity to progress into a full time apprenticeship for 3 years following a 6 month probationary period.
Apprenticeship Job Description
This job role is very varied with multiple skill sets required, primarily the job is beekeeping but there are customer facing aspects, sales, events, food production and workshop tasks. Therefore we would expect a keen interest in beekeeping, some prior knowledge is beneficial.
You will be able to work under pressure and for long hours in the beekeeping season as needed. A high degree of flexibility is required, being able to work longer for example if the weather has been poor followed by a good weather window to get certain beekeeping tasks completed.
The apprenticeship will initially be for a period of 6 months, before commencement of the theroetical side of the apprenticeship. This involves 2 weeks classroom based training per year. As most of the apprenticeship is working on the job, it is expected you will have a strong drive for self directed learning.
Salary / Hours
Dependent on experience. Salary is reviewed annually.
£10,000 pa – £18,720 dependent on hours, and experience.
Annual Leave
As standard we provide 6 weeks annual leave per year on a pro rata basis and are quite flexible on annual leave requirements so long as the beekeeping needs of the bees are met.
Benefits
Company pension scheme, 30 days (6 weeks) annual leave per year pro rata.
Start Date
You need to be able to start by the start of the active beekeeping season in April.
Local Area & Accomodation
Haltwhistle is a great place to live and work, a self contained town with all the amenities, supermarkets, post office, outdoor heated swimming pool, hadrians wall and plenty of walks and outdoor activities just a stones throw away. Coupled with fantastic road links thanks to the A69 to the rest of the country with the M6 only 20 minutes away and the A1 reached in 30 minutes. Properties are available to rent close to the business for around £4-500 per month. We are able to give some support with finding suitable accommodation.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Excellent communicator, hard work ethic, a passion for bee farming and continuing professional development.
A can do attitude to work and learning new skills, a desire to starting early, working late if needed and pulling together to work as a team to get the job done.
A good understanding of the beekeeping industry and desire to be part of this.
Full UK driving licence.
2 References.
Desirable Criteria
Experience in commercial beekeeping.
Trailer towing experience +/- B+E Qualification.
Application Process
Please complete the application form below.
Given previous experience we are often oversubscribed with applicants, and whilst we endeavour to get back to all applicants it may be that we can only respond to shortlisted applicants and those who fit the essential criteria above. We will only be able to review those applications who are complete and full applications.
Apprenticeship - Job Application Form
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and we aim to provide equality of opportunity to all persons regardless of their religious belief, sex, race, age or sexual orientation. We aim to select the best person for the job and all recruitment decisions will be made objectively. Some of our work involves working directly with children, both in schools and at our site and for this reason successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Cleaner
To apply in the first instance please complete the expression of interest form below, or call Luke or Suzie on 07752 534953 / 01434 322981 for an informal chat.
We are looking to grow our team with the position of a Part Time Cleaner. You will work one day a week on either a self-employed or employed basis. Hours envisaged to be 9am to 3pm.
Cleaner Job Description
This job role is to ensure the high level of cleanliness that our production requires.
This will include the cleaning of our shop, production rooms, and honey extraction rooms, packing room, office, staff room and 2 W/Cs.
We also have a 2-300m2 warehouse which will also be on the cleaning schedule.
Heavy lifting will be required, emptying clean/ dirty water tanks and handling scrubber/ dryer and moving boxes / equipment where required. A high level of fitness is required.
Equipment
We will provide necessary equipment / PPE for the tasks involved, and have a floor scrubber dryer (full training given).
Person Specification
You will be able to work under pressure and maintain a high level of cleanliness. Be a team player with excellent time keeping and efficiency. Fit and healthy and able to undertake heavy lifting safely.
Salary / Hours
Dependent on experience.
Start Date
You need to be able to start as soon as possible.
Application Process
Please complete the application form below.
Given previous experience we are often oversubscribed with applicants, and whilst we endeavour to get back to all applicants it may be that we can only respond to shortlisted applicants and those who fit the essential criteria above. We will only be able to review those applications who are complete and full applications.
