Trainee Animal Care Assistant

Merlin-Entertainments; Gweek; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LEGO discount

Food and retail discount

Merlin Magic Pass

Job summary

Merlin Entertainments at The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek, Cornwall, seeks a Trainee Animal Care Assistant to support daily management of resident and rescue animals. The role involves animal care, upkeep, and public education as part of a 12-month FTC starting October 2026.

You will contribute to rescue and rehabilitation efforts, assist in health checks, enrichment, feeding, and routine training while maintaining records and assisting in callouts.

Qualifications

• A qualification in animal care, marine biology, or equivalent working experience
• A good understanding of animal health and husbandry, particularly with Pinnipeds
• Proven experience in positive reinforcement, husbandry training and animal behaviour
• Experience in assisting in veterinary procedures, wound management, and general animal first-aid
• A working knowledge of filtration and Life Support Systems
• An understanding of the fundamentals of water chemistry as applied to an aquarium environment

Responsibilities

• Deliver high standards of animal husbandry, facility upkeep and cleanliness.
• Assist with the rescue, care, rehabilitation and release of seal pups.
• Support daily animal health, enrichment, feeding and training routines.
• Maintain accurate records in line with legal and operational standards.
• Help ensure smooth running of animal facilities, pools and life support systems.
• Engage and educate the public about our animals and their habitats.
• Participate in callout duties alongside senior team members.
• Contribute ideas to improve husbandry, facilities and guest experience.

Skills

Animal care

Marine biology

Positive reinforcement

Animal behaviour

Veterinary procedures

Life Support Systems

Water chemistry

Tools

Filtration systems

Job description

What you'll bring to the team

Trainee Animal Care Assistant

Location: The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek, Cornwall, TR12 6UG

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, across a 7-day rota (any 5 days out of 7)

Contract Type: 12 month FTC, starting from October 2026

We are on the lookout for a Trainee Animal Care Specialist to support with the daily management of our resident and rescue animals here at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary!

What you’ll do:

• Deliver high standards of animal husbandry, facility upkeep and cleanliness.
• Assist with the rescue, care, rehabilitation and release of seal pups.
• Support daily animal health, enrichment, feeding and training routines.
• Maintain accurate records in line with legal and operational standards.
• Help ensure smooth running of animal facilities, pools and life support systems.
• Engage and educate the public about our animals and their habitats.
• Participate in callout duties alongside senior team members.
• Contribute ideas to improve husbandry, facilities and guest experience.

Qualifications & Experience

• A qualification in animal care, marine biology, or equivalent working experience
• A good understanding of animal health and husbandry, particularly with Pinnipeds
• Proven experience in positive reinforcement, husbandry training and animal behaviour
• Experience in assisting in veterinary procedures, wound management, and general animal first-aid
• A working knowledge of filtration and Life Support Systems
• An understanding of the fundamentals of water chemistry as applied to an aquarium environment

Benefits

• 40% online LEGO discount
• 25% discount on food and retail in our attractions
• Merlin Magic Pass - giving you free tickets to all Merlin Entertainment attractions worldwide for you, your family, and friends every year

Pay Range

GBP £24,912.00/Yr.