Relief Farm Worker/Groom

The Donkey Sanctuary; Honiton; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a compassionate organization dedicated to animal welfare as a Relief Farm Worker/Groom. This full-time role involves caring for donkeys and other equines, ensuring their health and wellbeing while supporting farm operations. You'll work in a dynamic environment, providing essential care and interacting with visitors, all while contributing to the mission of improving the lives of donkeys worldwide. If you're passionate about animal care and enjoy working in a team, this is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these wonderful animals.

Benefits

Competitive pension

Life assurance

31 days holiday

Wellbeing team

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes

Long service awards

Healthshield plan

Free Parking

Subsidised restaurant and shop

Qualifications

• Experience in animal care, particularly with equines, is essential.
• Strong communication and customer service skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Care for donkeys, including feeding, grooming, and health checks.
• Operate machinery and maintain records for farm operations.

Skills

Equine or animal husbandry experience

Good communication skills

Customer service skills

Farm machinery operation

Physical fitness

Valid driving licence

Tools

Tractor

Job description

Relief Farm Worker / Groom (1806)

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• Salary:
  £23,264 per annum
• Poscity:
  Honiton
• Poscountry:
  United Kingdom
• Area:
  Equine Operations
• Vacancy Type:
  Fixed Term Contract
• Full or Part Time?:
  Full Time

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 the 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.
• Good communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Experience of using farm machinery, specifically tractor driving.
• Physical fitness and the ability to lift, for example, a bag of feed (approx. 20 kg).
• Willing to undertake work related training as required.
• Full current valid 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 - this is a full-time, fixed-term contract until 2 February 2026, working 37.5 hours per week. Flexibility will be required for some weekend working as part of the team rota.

Benefits:

• Competitive pension.
• 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 -
  • 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 on main site.

Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 19 January 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.

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.