Kennel Assistant (Sandon)

Essex & Kent Police; Sandon; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Part time

Job summary

Essex Police is seeking a Part-time Kennel Assistant to help run a busy operational kennel block and support officers with dog welfare. You will maintain hygiene, assist with health checks, and coordinate re-homing and the puppy programme where required.

Experience in animal care and strong cleaning standards are essential. A full driving licence and willingness to work weekends are required to ensure smooth transport and care of the dogs.

Qualifications

• Previous experience of caring for an animal is an essential requirement of the role.
• High standards of cleanliness in maintaining animal hygiene.
• Ability to work weekends.
• Full driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Monitor health checks for all dogs and notify staff of any concerns.
• Transport dogs to vets when required.
• Assist in the coordination of re-homing and adoption of police dogs.
• Coordinate the puppy programme to meet welfare needs of mother and litter.
• Order and collect food and supplies, ensuring best value for money.

Skills

Teamwork

Animal care experience

Cleanliness

Disability Confident involvement

Job description

Applications are invited from individuals wishing to undertake the role of Part‑time Kennel Assistant. This role will suit enthusiastic and motivated candidates wishing to play a key part in running a busy operational kennel block and managing the welfare and wellbeing of Police dogs. This is a challenging role that requires the successful candidate to maintain the cleanliness of the kennel block, runs and ancillary buildings directly connected with the boarding kennels, ensuring that high standards of hygiene and dog welfare are always maintained. The successful candidate will work closely in support of Police Officers by monitoring health checks for all dogs, notifying staff of any concerns in a timely manner and transporting dogs to vets if required. Good communication skills will be demonstrated through receiving lay visitors and other parties who have an interest in the welfare and wellbeing of Police dogs. The successful candidate will have previous experience in caring for, or dealing with, animal welfare and will be able to evidence high standards of cleanliness in maintaining animal hygiene. The successful candidate will be required to assist in the coordination of the re‑homing and adoption of police dogs, including the assessment of potential dogs to ensure the best outcome for the dog and new owner(s). Assistance will also be required in the coordination of the puppy programme to ensure that the welfare needs of the mother and her litter are met. The successful candidate will also be required to display sound administrative qualities, including the ordering and collection of food and supplies, ensuring best value for money is achieved at all times. The successful candidate will also be expected to work weekends. A full driving licence must be held to enable the legal transportation of dogs and the collection of supplies. Prior to commencing any driving duties on behalf of the force, the successful candidate will be expected to undertake a force driver's safety assessment. This will involve driving a transit van, and training will be provided.

• Working with others - Works co-operatively with others to get things done, willingly giving help and support to colleagues. Is approachable, developing positive working relationships. Explains things well, focusing on key points and talking to people using language they understand.
• Experience in caring for animals - Previous experience of caring for a animals is an essential requirement of the role, as you will be expected to run an operational kennel block, and on occasions left to work alone using your own innovative.
• High standards of cleanliness in maintaining animal hygiene - It is essential that the successful candidate has excellent knowledge about the importance of animal hygiene to ensure the highest standards are set, with animal welfare at the fore front.
• Personal attributes that make you a good candidate for the role - What skills do you bring to the role that will assist in delivering the highest standards of care for the dogs with minimal supervision., Have subjected our Disability Confident self‑assessment to external challenge and validation.
• Are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.

  Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.

  Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included. Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.