Trainer/Assessor In Dog Grooming And Animal Care

Only FE; Rotherham; On-site; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution is seeking a Trainer/Assessor in Dog Grooming and Animal Care for a permanent position in Rotherham. The role involves assessing learners and providing guidance in a dynamic environment. Applicants should have a Level 3 specialist qualification and proven expertise in dog grooming. This position offers a salary of £26,278 annually plus benefits, with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Access to local government pension scheme

Up to 41 days annual leave

Free parking at all sites

Career development opportunities

Staff health & wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Proven subject specialist in Dog Grooming with industry experience.
• Ability to carry out assessments and provide constructive feedback.
• Experience working with various dog breeds and other animals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct both theoretical and practical assessments for Dog Grooming qualifications.
• Guide learners in developing essential skills for the animal management sector.
• Engage with employers to expand learner placement opportunities.

Skills

Dog Grooming expertise

Assessment and feedback skills

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Level 3 specialist qualification

Level 2 qualification in English and Maths

Assessor's award (CAVA) qualification

Job description

Trainer/Assessor in Dog Grooming and Animal Care

Hours: Full time (37 hours each week, all year round)

Duration: Permanent

Salary: £26,278 a year + benefits

Location: Dearne Valley College, Rotherham

Are you a passionate Dog Grooming specialist with a strong understanding of the wider Animal Management sector? Do you thrive on guiding the next generation of professionals to achieve their full potential?

About the Role

The RNN Group is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Assessor/Trainer to join our dynamic Animal Management team at Dearne Valley College. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a vital role in the growth and development of our Dog Grooming and Animal Care provision.

You will be integral to supporting our Dog Grooming (predominantly Level 2 & 3) and Animal Care learners, working alongside a supportive team of Lecturers, Tutors, Assessors, and Animal Technicians.

Your primary focus will be to assess the competency and knowledge of learners, providing developmental and constructive feedback to foster an environment of excellence. You will set SMART individual targets and proactively track progress to ensure the timely completion of qualifications, both practically and theoretically.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Learner Assessment: Conduct theoretical and practical assessments and observations for predominantly Dog Grooming qualifications (Level 2 & 3), utilising an electronic portfolio system.
• Support & Facilitation: Guide learners in developing the essential knowledge, skills, and professional qualities required for the animal management sector.
• Curriculum & Growth: Contribute to wider departmental duties including standardisation, curriculum development, and planning. You will be key in helping grow the provision.
• Employer Engagement: Act as an ambassador for the college, building and maintaining strong relationships with employers to expand learner placement opportunities. You will also grow the clientele dog grooming base by sourcing suitable dogs for curriculum needs.
• Administration: Undertake necessary administrative tasks, including the coordination of tests/examinations and maintaining accurate records, such as Internal Quality Assurance.
• Team Collaboration: Work actively within the curriculum team and build strong relationships with other key stakeholders (e.g., Personal Development, Maths and English teams).

You will…

• You will be a subject specialist with proven expertise in Dog Grooming and a wider understanding of the Animal Management curriculum.
• Have an ability to carry out effective assessments, provide quality feedback, and track learner progress proactively.
• You must be self‑sufficient, able to manage your diary and work commitments effectively to meet sometimes conflicting demands and deadlines.
• As a Trainer/Assessor you will be able to cope with demanding learners, using excellent communication skills to ensure all learners achieve their goals and have a willingness to contribute positively to recruitment, standardisation, and ongoing quality improvement.
• You will hold a Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification in English and Maths, a Level 3 specialist qualification and experience in working within the industry with experience in working with a variety of breeds of dogs as well as other animals. Achievement of an assessor's award (CAVA) qualification is essential with support to obtain this whilst working with us.

Please Note: Due to the nature of the college business, weekend and evening work may be required.

If you are ready to use your specialist skills to shape the careers of future animal management professionals and contribute to the success of the RNN Group, we want to hear from you.

We understand that no candidate will perfectly match every qualification or criterion listed. If your experience differs from what we've outlined but you believe you can contribute to this role, we encourage you to apply!

Our excellent benefits and rewards package:

• Access to local government or teachers pensions scheme (with employer contributions from 17.7% to 23.68%)
• Up to 41 days annual leave per year including closure during Christmas period
• Access to our gyms, restaurants and salons
• Staff health & wellbeing and benefits schemes including in‑house Occupational Health service
• Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Full, part time and flexible working hours available in many roles
• Free parking available at all of our sites
• Fantastic career development opportunities including funding for teacher training, apprenticeships and various other industry recognised qualifications
• New FE teachers can also apply for grants of up to £6,000 in STEM subjects (conditions apply) through the teacher retention initiative
• Recruitment Referral Scheme for all employees, worth £200 per referral made

What is the RNN Group?

RNN Group's main goal is to be an 'outstanding' education and training provider and this is at the heart of everything that we do. To help us achieve this we are looking to recruit highly motivated, innovative and dynamic individuals to join our existing teams. To be a part of the team at RNN Group we will expect you to be committed to our values too;

• We are Inclusive,
• We have Integrity,
• We Deliver,
• We are One Team.

We are OFSTED 'Good' (November 2022)

We celebrate diversity and are proud to be recognised as Investors in Diversity for our commitment to the FREDIE (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement) Model. This means that you'd be working in a supportive environment that encourages, recognises and celebrates effort, achievement and cooperative attitudes. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, faith or disability. We are also proud to be part of the Disability Confidence Scheme and offer reasonable adjustments to all applicants throughout the recruitment process.

The RNN Group is proud to be part of the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (SYIoT).

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, vulnerable adults and young people. All new employees will be required undertake a DBS check and other associated checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance.

The Group's core operating hours are 8.30am-5.00pm (9pm on a Tuesday and Thursday during term time). You may be expected to work at any time during these hours to ensure business needs are met.

All candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK.

Closing date: Monday 1 December 2025 - if you are shortlisted for this post, you will be contacted within a week of the closing date.

Provisional Interview Date: Tuesday 9th December 2025