Relief Farm Worker Groom - Devon

NFP People Limited; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

An animal welfare organization is seeking a proactive Relief Farm Worker Groom in Devon to provide care for donkeys and assist in daily operations. The position requires experience in animal husbandry, good communication skills, and a valid UK driving licence. This full-time role offers competitive benefits, including holiday, pension, and wellbeing support.

Benefits

Competitive pension

Life assurance

31 days holiday, rising to 34 days

Wellbeing team support

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes

Free Parking

Qualifications

• Previous equine or animal husbandry experience is required.
• Good communication and customer service skills are essential.
• Must have a full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Provide care by checking, feeding, medicating and grooming donkeys.
• Operate machinery and maintain farming records.
• Support work experience students and interact with visitors.

Skills

Previous equine or animal husbandry experience

Good communication skills

Excellent customer service skills

Experience using farm machinery, specifically tractor driving

Physical fitness

Full current UK valid driving licence

Job description

Relief Farm Worker Groom (2058)

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

Position: Relief Farm Worker Groom (2058)

Location: Honiton

Hours: Full Time

Salary: £23,962

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Thursday 23 October 2025

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.

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 (≈20 kg).
• Willing to undertake work‑related training as required.
• Full current UK 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, permanent contract, working hours per week, 5 days over 7, with weekend work as part of a rota.

Benefits

Competitive pension.

Life assurance.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 days 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.

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.