Farm Worker/Groom

THE DONKEY SANCTUARY; Ireland; On-site; EUR 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pension

Life assurance

20 days holiday and increasing days

Wellbeing team

Pilates classes

Long service awards

Healthshield plan

Free parking

Job summary

The Donkey Sanctuary in Ireland is seeking a dedicated Farm Worker/Groom to join our Farms team. You will care for resident donkeys, mules, ponies and hinnies, performing routine checks, feeding, grooming and training, with vigilant health monitoring.

This full-time, permanent position requires substantial animal husbandry experience, a valid driving licence and tractor driving skills, plus IT literacy. 39 hours per week with weekend rota, working safely alongside the Farm Manager.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in animal husbandry, preferably with equines.
• Excellent observation skills and ability to spot signs of ill health in equines.
• Willing to undertake work-related training.
• Able to make good decisions under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Competent IT skills.
• Full valid driving licence.
• Experience using farm machinery, specifically tractor driving.

Responsibilities

• Providing care by routine checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing, worming and training the resident donkeys, mules, ponies and hinnies, including participation in behavioural observations and modification work.
• Cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene in all barns and stables, including other work areas and staff facilities.
• Maintaining and operating all farm machinery and equipment in accordance with the manufactures handbook and following safe operating procedures.
• Assisting the veterinary surgeon, nurse, farrier and dental technician with examinations, routine treatments and welfare assessments.
• Supporting the Farm Supervisor/Farms Manager in maintaining a safe and secure working environment.
• Regularly undertaking wellbeing checks, including the taking of temperature and close inspection for any signs of infection, abnormality, illness or distress.
• Providing feedback on a daily basis to the Farm Supervisor/ Farms Manager on matters such as donkey health, feeding regimes and land management.
• Selecting and preparing donkeys for the guardian rehoming scheme as required, working closely with the veterinary and welfare teams and providing feedback on potential donkeys for rehoming.

Skills

Animal husbandry

Observation skills

Driving licence

Tractor driving

IT skills

Job description

Job description

Farm Worker/Groom (2320)

• Salary:€33,037 per annum
• Area:Ireland
• Vacancy Type:Permanent
• 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 number of flexible and proactive team players with a passion for Donkeys to join our busy Farms team. Possessing substantial equine and animal husbandry experience, you will provide care and rehabilitation for the resident donkeys, mules and hinnies, and support the Farm Manager and Farm Supervisor in maintaining a safe working environment.

About you:

• Demonstrable experience of animal husbandry (preferably working with equines), understanding individual behaviour patterns and overcoming challenges.
• Excellent observation skills and the ability to identify and notice signs that would indicate ill health in equines.
• Willing to undertake work related training as required.
• Able to make good decisions under pressure and deliver on deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Competent IT skills.
• Full valid driving licence.
• Experience of using farm machinery, specifically Tractor driving.

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, including participation in behavioural observations and modification work.
• Cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene in all barns and stables, including other work areas and staff facilities.
• Maintaining and operating all farm machinery and equipment in accordance with the manufactures handbook and following safe operating procedures.
• Assisting the veterinary surgeon, nurse, farrier and dental technician with examinations, routine treatments and welfare assessments.
• Supporting the Farm Supervisor/Farms Manager in maintaining a safe and secure working environment.
• Regularly undertaking wellbeing checks, including the taking of temperature and close inspection for any signs of infection, abnormality, illness or distress.
• Providing feedback on a daily basis to the Farm Supervisor/ Farms Manager on matters such as donkey health, feeding regimes and land management.
• Selecting and preparing donkeys for the guardian rehoming scheme as required, working closely with the veterinary and welfare teams and providing feedback on potential donkeys for rehoming.

What we offer:

These are full-time, permanent contracts starting as soon as possible, working 39 hours per week plus weekend work as part of a rota. .

Benefits:

• Competitive pension.
• Life assurance.
• 20 days holiday per year. This increases by one day each year until a maximum of 25 days is reached. There is an additional 10 public holidays
• Wellbeing team.
• Recorded Pilates classes.
• Long service awards.
• Healthshield plan, including 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.

Closing date for completed applications: Wednesday 21 October 2026.

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.

The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

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.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.

Before submitting your application, please ensure you read our candidate journey page, in particular our FAQs section – https://jobs.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/jobs/candidate-journey/