Equine Assistant Sidmouth, England
Job description
For more than 40 years, The Donkey Sanctuary has provided donkey assisted activities for children in the UK and overseas. Over the past four decades the programme has evolved to enable the provision of interactive, psychosocial, Donkey Facilitated and Equine Assisted Learning Programmes that utilise mutually enriching interaction sessions aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of donkeys and critical life skills of vulnerable people.
Do you have a passion for Donkeys? Would you like to help make a difference?
We have an excellent opportunity for a proactive, flexible and friendly individual to join the dedicated team based at The Donkey Assisted Therapy Centre, Sidmouth. As Equine Assistant, you will care for the centre’s donkeys and will assist with the provision of donkey assisted activities for vulnerable children and adults, both on and off The Donkey Sanctuary sites.
Within this varied and rewarding role, your principal duties and responsibilities will include –
· Feeding, grooming and caring for the centre’s donkeys
· Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness throughout the centre including stables, arena and pastures, and maintaining tack equipment and fodder and bedding stocks.
· Championing good donkey welfare by ensuring the care and welfare of all donkeys is maintained to a high standard, including observing signs of ill health/potential ailments, treating where appropriate, and Work alongside internal & external equine professionals such as the vet and farrier when required
· Assisting in the training of donkeys under the guidance of the Equine Co-Ordinator and provide input into shaping plans where appropriate
· Supporting and assisting with donkey-facilitated activities
· Taking responsibility for all aspects of outreach visits, including the loading and unloading and the supervision of donkeys
· Assisting with promotional activities both in and outside the centre, including supervision of volunteers and work experience students.
Experience of working with equines (preferably donkeys), together with experience of working with vulnerable children and adults, is essential, as are good communication, customer service, team working and IT skills and a full, valid driving licence. Experience of transporting livestock and a BHS Stable Management certificate are desirable.
If you feel you have the qualities, skills and experience to fulfil this vital role, and would like to be part of the evolving program of change taking place within the charity, we would love to hear from you. Based in Sidmouth, Devon – an area of outstanding natural beauty – this is a full-time, permanent contract, working 37.5 hours per week, 5 days over 7, with weekend working as part of the team rota.
Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 19 February 2023.
For more information about this role, including application instructions, please copy and paste the following link into your web browser:
https://jobs.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/jobs/vacancy/equine-assistant-1231/1249/description/
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, which is a requirement for this post.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £22,369.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Store discount
- Wellness programme
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Work Location: One location
Application deadline: 19/02/2023
Reference ID: 1231
