Relief Farm Worker Groom

Relief Farm Worker Groom

We have an excellent opportunity for a proactive and flexible team player to join our busy Farms Administration department as Relief Farm Worker/Groom.

Location: Sidmouth

Hour: Full time

Salary: £23,264 per annum

Contact: Fixed term until 2 February 2026

Closing date: Sunday 19th January 2025

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.  

Reporting to the UK Farms Office Manager and the Farm Managers/Farm Supervisors, you will provide cover for staff absence, looking after the care and welfare of the resident donkeys, mules, hinnies and ponies at any of our 8 sites, and will support the Farm Manager and Farm Supervisor in maintaining a safe working environment.

About you:

• Previous equine or animal husbandry experience.

• Good communication skills.

• Excellent customer service skills.

• Experience of using farm machinery, specifically tractor driving.

• Physical fitness and the ability to lift, for example, a bag of feed (approx. 20 kg).

• Willing to undertake work related training as required;

• Full current valid driving licence. 

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 and assisting the vet, farrier and dentist as required

• Providing feedback on a daily basis to the Farm Manager on matters such as donkey health, feeding regimes and land management, and liaising with other staff to facilitate the smooth running of the farm

• Operating machinery, and/or manually, mucking out, feeding and bedding up of barns and stables and distributing hay, haylage and bagged feedstuffs

• Maintaining up to date manual records for the donkeys and farming practices

• Supporting work experience students and interacting with visitors, Quality Time Volunteers and other Donkey Sanctuary departments in a friendly and positive manner.

What we offer in return:

Based at Brookfield Farm – this is a full-time, fixed-term contract until 2 February 2026, working 37.5 hours per week. Flexibility will be required for some weekend working as part of the team rota.

Benefits:   

Competitive pension.

Life assurance.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.

Wellbeing team.

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.

Long service awards.

Healthshield plan –

• 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.

Subsidised restaurant and shop on main site.

Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 19 January 2025.

The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer.

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. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.