Farm Worker/Groom (2036)

The Donkey Sanctuary; Sidmouth; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An animal welfare organization in Sidmouth is seeking a compassionate individual to join their team for the care and rehabilitation of donkeys. The ideal candidate will have strong observation, communication, and customer service skills, and be willing to work outdoors in various conditions. This full-time position offers 31 days of holiday, pension benefits, and additional perks, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Benefits

Life assurance

31 days holiday

Wellbeing team

Healthshield plan

Free parking

Subsidised restaurant and shop

Qualifications

• Must have excellent observation skills to identify ill-health in animals.
• Demonstrate strong communication and customer service skills.
• Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Check, feed, groom, and train the resident donkeys and their companions.
• Administer medications as directed.
• Assist veterinary staff with examinations and treatments.
• Maintain a safe and hygienic working environment.

Skills

Excellent observation skills

Excellent communication and customer service skills

Competent IT knowledge

Effective team player

Self-motivated

UK full valid driving licence

Job description

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 flexible and proactive individual with a passion for Donkeys to join our busy team at Slade House Farm, in Sidmouth, East Devon. Possessing excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills, you will provide care and rehabilitation for the resident donkeys and will support the Farm Manager in maintaining a safe working environment. As well as a working farm, Slade House Farm is a visitor attraction at the heart of The Donkey Sanctuary, and strong customer service skills are vital.

About you:

• Excellent observation skills to identify and notice signs that would indicate ill-health in animals.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills – tactful and diplomatic when handling sensitive matters.
• Competent IT knowledge and skills.
• Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions.
• Effective team player who builds trust and positive relationships.
• Self-motivated, with a positive and professional attitude.
• UK full valid driving licence.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Routinely checking, feeding, , grooming, weighing, worming and training the resident donkeys., mules, ponies and hinnies.
• Preparing and administrating medications including intramuscular injections as directed.
• Assisting the veterinary surgeon, nurse, farrier and dental technician with examinations, routine treatments and welfare assessments.
• Making regular observation and wellbeing checks for any signs of infection, abnormality, illness or distress, and reporting animal health and welfare updates to the Farm Manager/Supervisor.
• Maintaining a safe and hygienic working environment in barns, stables, and all work areas, adhering to biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreaks.
• Maintaining farm security by regularly checking fences and ensuring gates and access to farm buildings are kept locked.
• Updating animal management records and medication logs.

What we offer in return:

Based in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this is a full-time, fixed-term contract starting as soon as possible, until April 2026, working 37.5 hours per week, 5 days over 7, and weekend work as part of a rota.

Life assurance.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.

Wellbeing team.

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.

Long service awards.

Healthshield plan –

• Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
• Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop.

Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 19 October 2025.

The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.