Animal Welfare and Science Technician

Coastland College; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider in Dorchester seeks an Animal Welfare and Science Technician to support students and manage animal care tasks. The ideal candidate will have a passion for animal welfare and experience in handling a variety of animals. Collaboration with students and other staff is crucial. The role encourages candidates to pursue further teacher training qualifications, ensuring professional growth within a supportive community. Join us and make a meaningful impact on our students’ journeys.

Benefits

Generous annual leave and holidays

Pension scheme options

On-site gym and parking

Employee discounts on facilities

Supportive work environment with CPD

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Passion for animal welfare and supporting student development.
• Confidence in handling various animals, including small mammals, reptiles, and livestock.
• Willingness to help students in medium/large groups.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of students in the Animal Welfare and Science department.
• Work closely with students during term time.
• Encouraged to complete teacher training qualifications.

Skills

Animal husbandry and handling

Ability to work in a team

Calm working approach

Multi-tasking

Critical thinking

Education

Level 3 teacher training qualification

Job description

Who we are:

Coastland College is a General Further Education College spread across two campuses – one situated on the stunning Jurassic coastline in Weymouth and the other on a beautiful 18th Century Estate near the market town of Dorchester. As a newly united organisation, we’re bringing together the best of both Weymouth College and Kingston Maurward College to create an even stronger learning experience, with enhanced resources, a broader range of courses and industry-standard facilities.

We are Connected | We are Courageous | We are Dynamic | We are Empowering | We are Welcoming

With our combined expertise and resources, Coastland College is now one of the most dynamic and versatile further education providers in the region. From A-Levels to vocational courses and land‑based studies to Apprenticeships, we have one purpose: to inspire our students and apprentices for individual success beyond expectation, ensuring that they are future‑ready and prepared for today and tomorrow’s world.

Our supportive and dedicated community of staff place our students at the heart of everything they do, ensuring every learner thrives.

What we offer:

Whatever your reasons for wanting to join our college community, we promise you a warm welcome and a highly supportive, flexible approach to your work - designed to help you reach your full potential. We also offer many great benefits, all with the aim of supporting your health, wellbeing and personal development:

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 25 holiday days, plus bank holidays (pro‑rata for part‑time roles) increasing by one additional day for each completed year of service, up to a maximum of 30 days after five years of continuous service.
• Additional 3 efficiency closure days over Christmas and an additional 4 days over Easter.
• Generous Pension Scheme through either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) / Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) depending on your role
• Access to Care First - our FREE confidential emotional support and practical advice scheme
• Dedicated CPD learning days to support learning and development
• Family friendly policies
• A person‑centred annual appraisal focusing on your wellbeing and CPD
• Free on‑site parking
• Free on‑site gym
• Employee discounts at on‑site facilities such as Signature Hair & Beauty Salon, The Avenue Restaurant and The Bay Theatre.
• Wide range of Health and Wellbeing initiatives to support staff including Corporate Eyecare voucher scheme, free and confidential staff counselling and a trained team of Mental Health First Aiders

About your role:

We have an exciting opportunity for an Animal Welfare and Science Technician to join our team.

The Animal Welfare and Science department are looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic and self‑motivated candidate who has a passion for animal welfare and supporting the development of students in a college environment.

The ideal candidate will be confident in the welfare, husbandry and handling of a range of animals, from small mammals and reptiles to livestock and equids. They will have a calm working approach, be able to multi‑task and have the ability to ‘think on their feet’.

During term time, our Animal Welfare and Science technicians work very closely with a range of students in the department, so an ability and willingness to work with medium/large groups of is key to this role.

Successful candidates will be encouraged to complete the Level 3 teacher training qualification to support their delivery to students.

So, if you share our values and have the ambition to join us on our journey to continued success, we would love to hear from you.

The important bit:

Coastland College is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check. A copy of our Safeguarding Policy can be found on the College website.

Please see our Job Description, Person Specification and Conditions of Service for more information about the role and what it’s like to be part of our team.

Contact us:

For an informal chat or to find out more about this role, please contact Wayne Clarke on 01305 215000, option 1 extension 1115.

We’re here to help you:

If you have a medical condition or a specific need for an adjustment to our processes, and you believe this may affect your ability to be at your best – please let us know so we can talk about how we can best support you and make any adjustments that you may need. You can email the Recruitment team at [e-mail] and one of the team will be happy to help.

Don’t meet every single requirement?

We recognise that talent comes in various forms and so are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and sustainable environment for all, that celebrates diversity. If you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement on the job description or you are seeking an alternative working pattern, please apply anyway – you may just be the person we are looking for. All we ask is that you make this clear in your application so that we can take this forward to the next stage of the selection process. In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use.

We do not engage with recruitment agencies for this role. Any CVs received from agencies will be considered as unsolicited and the property of the Coastland College, with no obligation to pay agency fees.