Farm Worker Groom

NFP People; Honiton; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance

31 days holiday (34 with service)

Wellbeing team

Pilates and Yoga classes

Long service awards

Healthshield plan and perks

Free Parking

Subsidised restaurant and shop

Job summary

The Donkey Sanctuary is seeking a proactive Relief Farm Worker/Groom to support 8 sites across East Devon. Based at Brookfield Farm near Honiton, you will cover staff absence, care for donkeys, mules, hinnies and ponies, and assist with farm activities.

The role is full time on a 12-month fixed-term contract, working 37.5 hours per week across five days in seven, with occasional evenings and weekends as part of the rota.

Qualifications

• Previous equine or animal husbandry experience.
• Experience of using farm machinery, specifically tractor driving.
• Physically fit and able to lift bags of feed (~20 kg).
• Willing to undertake work-related training as required.
• Full current valid UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Providing care by routine checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing, worming and training the resident donkeys, mules, ponies and hinnies and assisting the vet, farrier and dentist as required.
• Providing daily feedback to the Farm Manager on donkey health, feeding regimes and land management, liaising with staff to ensure smooth farm operations.
• Operating machinery and manual tasks including mucking out, feeding and bedding, and distributing hay and feedstuffs.
• Maintaining up-to-date manual records for the donkeys and farming practices.
• Supporting work experience students and interacting with visitors and volunteers.

Skills

Equine experience

Farm machinery

Physical fitness

Willing to train

UK driving licence

Tools

Tractor driving

Job description

We have an excellent opportunity for a proactive and flexible team player to join our busy Farms Administration department as Relief Farm Worker/Groom.

Job Title: Relief Farm Worker/Groom

Hour: Full time

Salary: £25,350 per annum

Contract: Fixed term contract

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships.

We have an excellent opportunity for a proactive and flexible team player to join our busy Farms Administration department as Relief Farm Worker/Groom. Reporting to the UK Farms Office Manager and Farm Managers/Farm Supervisors, you will provide cover for staff absence, looking after the care and welfare of the resident donkeys, mules, hinnies and ponies at any of our 8 sites, and will support the Farm Manager and Farm Supervisor in maintaining a safe working environment.

About you:

• Previous equine or animal husbandry experience.
• Experience of using farm machinery, specifically tractor driving.
• Physically fit and able to, for example, a bag of feed (approx. 20 kg).
• Willing to undertake work related training as required.
• Full current valid UK driving licence.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include

• Providing care by routine checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing, worming and training the resident donkeys, mules, ponies and hinnies and assisting the vet, farrier and dentist as required
• Providing feedback on a daily basis to the Farm Manager on matters such as donkey health, feeding regimes and land management, and liaising with other staff to facilitate the smooth running of the farm
• Operating machinery, and/or manually, mucking out, feeding and bedding up of barns and stables and distributing hay, haylage and bagged feedstuffs
• Maintaining up to date manual records for the donkeys and farming practices
• Supporting work experience students and interacting with visitors, Quality Time Volunteers and other Donkey Sanctuary departments in a friendly and positive manner.

What we offer in return:

Based at Brookfield Farm, near Honiton, in East Devon - this is a full-time, 12-month fixed term contract starting as soon as possible, working 37.5 hours per week, five days over seven. Flexibility will be required for evening and weekend work as part of the team rota.

• Life assurance.
• 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.
• Wellbeing team.
• Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
• Long service awards.
• Healthshield plan, including reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership, offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets and access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.
• Free Parking.
• Subsidised restaurant and shop on main site.

Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 1 November 2026.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client - Not For Profit People.