Farm Worker/Groom (1937)

The Donkey Sanctuary; Makana Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 18 000 - 25 000; Full time

Job summary

An established animal welfare organization is seeking a dedicated individual to join their team. This role involves providing care and rehabilitation for donkeys while supporting the Farm Manager in ensuring a safe working environment. The ideal candidate will possess excellent observation and communication skills, be self-motivated, and work well within a team. This full-time position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in the lives of animals, with a range of benefits including life assurance, generous holiday allowance, and wellness support. If you are passionate about animal welfare and ready to contribute to a meaningful cause, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Life Assurance

31 Days Holiday

Wellbeing Team Support

Pilates and Yoga Classes

Long Service Awards

Healthshield Plan

Free Parking

Subsidised Restaurant

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills for effective communication and collaboration.
• Excellent observation skills for identifying animal health issues.

Responsibilities

• Feeding, grooming, and training donkeys, mules, and ponies.
• Administering medications and assisting with veterinary examinations.
• Maintaining a safe and hygienic environment on the farm.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Observation Skills

Communication Skills

IT Skills

Teamwork

Self-motivation

Job description

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation dedicated to caring for and protecting donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve their lives daily through fostering understanding, collaboration, and support, promoting lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.

We are offering an excellent opportunity for a flexible, proactive individual passionate about donkeys to join our team at Paccombe Farm, near Sidmouth, East Devon. The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, providing care and rehabilitation for resident donkeys, and supporting the Farm Manager in maintaining a safe working environment.

About you:

• Excellent observation skills to identify signs of ill-health in animals.
• Strong communication skills, tactful and diplomatic when handling sensitive matters.
• Competent IT skills.
• Full UK valid driving licence.
• Willing to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
• Effective team player who builds trust and positive relationships.
• Self-motivated with a positive and professional attitude.

About the role:

Your main duties will include:

• Checking, feeding, grooming, weighing, worming, and training resident donkeys, mules, ponies, and hinnies.
• Preparing and administering medications, including intramuscular injections, as directed.
• Assisting veterinary professionals with examinations, routine treatments, and welfare assessments.
• Observing animals regularly for signs of infection, abnormality, illness, or distress, and reporting updates to the Farm Manager/Supervisor.
• Maintaining a safe and hygienic environment in barns, stables, and work areas, following biosecurity measures.
• Ensuring farm security by checking fences and keeping gates and access points secured.
• Updating animal management records and medication logs.

What we offer:

This is a full-time, permanent position starting as soon as possible, working 37.5 hours per week, 07:45-16:15, over five days. Flexibility for weekend work is required as part of the team rota.

Additional benefits include:

• Life assurance.
• 31 days holiday (including bank holidays), increasing to 34 with each year of service.
• Wellbeing team support.
• Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
• Long service awards.
• Healthshield plan, offering reimbursement for medical expenses, discounts, cashback, and 24/7 GP and counselling services.
• Free parking.
• Subsidised restaurant and shop.

Application deadline: Wednesday 14 May 2025.

The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to safeguarding vulnerable groups. All staff and volunteers undergo safeguarding procedures, including DBS checks where applicable.

Note: The Guaranteed Interview Scheme is available for candidates who consider themselves disabled and are applying for roles in the UK.

Applicants are asked to complete their applications in their own words without using AI writing tools, as applications considered not to be original may not be shortlisted.