Technician - Animal Care (18 hours p/w)

Hopwood Hall; Middleton; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Hopwood Hall is seeking a Technician - Animal Care to support teaching staff and learners in the Animal Care and Equine department at Middleton. This permanent, part-time role covers 18 hours per week with a pro rata salary.

You will maintain animal rooms, assist with practical sessions, transport animals for educational visits, assist with safeguarding and health and safety, and liaise with external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 2 qualification in science/animal care.
• Full clean UK driving licence and your own transport.
• Desirable: Level 3+ qualification in Animal care/management or similar.
• Experience handling and caring for animals; experience in educational settings.
• Familiarity with safety procedures and documentation in an educational environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to teaching staff and maintain a lively working environment.
• Ensure access to animal rooms, workshops and equipment for staff and students.
• Prepare materials for practical sessions and retrieve after activities.
• Maintain and repair animal enclosures and ensure security of enclosures and tools.
• Assist supervising students on project work, work experience and events.
• Organise requisitions and storekeeping; follow SOPs for Animal Care and Equine.
• Transport students in college vehicles for educational trips; assist with first aid as needed.
• Liaise with vets, animal welfare partners, and external specialists as required.

Skills

Driving licence

Animal care knowledge

IT literacy

Education

Level 2 Science/animal management/care

Level 3+ Animal care/management (Desirable)

Tools

MS Word/Outlook/Excel

Job description

Technician - Animal Care (18 hours p/w)

Application Deadline: 18 October 2026

Department: Animal Care and Equine

Employment Type: Permanent - Part Time

Location: Middleton

Compensation: £13,061 per annum, i.e £26,123 pro rata per annum

Description

To facilitate the learning process by supporting staff and students in an effective learning environment

Key Responsibilities

• To provide direct support to teaching staff by maintaining and promoting lively working environment and practices
• To work with and ensure that staff and students have access to animal rooms, workshops, equipment as required
• To prepare and assist in activities ensuring all materials and equipment are prepared in readiness for practical sessions and retrieved after the activity has ceased
• To maintain and repair specialist animal enclosures and be responsible for the security of enclosures, equipment and tools
• To assist with the supervision of students working on project work, work experience and marketing events
• Be responsible for organising requisitions and storekeeping
• To follow the current Animal care and Equine Standard Operating Procedures
• Be prepared to transport college students in college vehicles for the purpose of educational/enriching trips
• Be prepared undertake first aid training and subsequently perform first aid if required
• Liaise with external stakeholders such as vets, Blue cross and other specialists either digitally, verbally or in person
• Be prepared to appropriately transport animals for the purposes of import, export or veterinary visits
• Look out for the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of all learners as HHC's Safeguarding policy
• Be responsible for the day to day care of all the animals within the Animal care and Equine centre
• Maintain animal food stock levels to ensure all animals have adequate food and water available as stated in the standard operating procedures
• To assist in the planning of breeding programmes both for sustainability and food sources
• To maintain all animal areas within the Animal centre to include the internal animal rooms, external animal enclosures and all business support areas
• Undertake Health & Safety risk assessments and ensure all working practices are compliant with industry legislation (e.g. COSHH)
• To ensure that accurate records of animals are kept and the data inputted into digital systems and paper systems
• Ensure continuous development and improvement of professional knowledge
• Any other duties relating to the continued welfare of animals and students on site as relevant

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• Minimum of a full level 2 Science/animal management/care qualification.
• A full clean UK driving licence and your own transport with business insurance

By application

Desirable Criteria

• Full level 3 or above qualification in Animal care/management or similar relevant field.
• Further qualifications within the field such as competence in dog-walking, licences to operate plant.

By application

Experience

Essential Criteria

• Experience of handling/ caring and maintaining a wide range of taxa to include Mammalia, Reptilia and Aves.
• Experience working with animals in an educational setting

By application

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of handling/ caring and maintaining a wider variety of taxa to include Amphibia, Fish and Invertebrae.

By application

Specialist Knowledge

Essential Criteria

• The daily responsibilities of an Animal Technician within an FE setting. Knowledge of current legislation including the Animal Welfare Act and the Health and Safety at Work, Keeping Children Safe in Education etc.

By application/ interview

IT Skills

• Basic Level in Microsoft applications particularly Word, Outlook and Excel. Willing to undertake training appropriate to the role.

By application/ interview