At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for donkeys, including feeding, grooming, and health monitoring.
- Company: Join The Donkey Sanctuary, a leading animal welfare organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days holiday, life assurance, and health benefits.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for personal development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of donkeys every day.
- Qualifications: Passion for animals, teamwork skills, and physical stamina required.
The predicted salary is between 25350 - 25350 £ per year.
We have an excellent opportunity for a flexible and proactive team player with a passion for Donkeys to join our busy team at Trow and Hurford farms, Sidmouth, Devon.
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.
About you
- Excellent animal observational skills and able to detect signs of illness, distress, or change in behaviour.
- Demonstrable alignment with the charity’s values and committed to ongoing personal development within the role.
- Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team.
- Able to carry out physically demanding tasks, independently, in all weather conditions, occasionally outside of normal working hours.
- Competent IT knowledge and skills.
- Competent use of English language.
- Full, valid UK driving licence.
About the role
- Routinely checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing, worming and training the resident donkeys.
- Assisting visiting vets, farriers and dentists.
- Operating machinery, and/or manually, mucking out, feeding and bedding up of barns and stables and distributing hay, haylage and bagged feedstuffs.
- Maintaining the farm by sweeping, pressure washing, cleaning, field sweeping, haymaking, strimming, compost management, willow management and dirty water control.
- Maintaining up‑to‑date manual records for the donkeys, farming practices, holidays and overtime.
- Providing feedback on a daily basis to the Farm Manager and Supervisor on matters such as donkey health, feeding regimes and land management and liaising with other staff to facilitate smooth running of the farm.
What we offer in return
- This is a full-time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 37.5 hours per week, 5 days over 7 with weekend work as part of a team rota.
- Life Assurance.
- 31 Days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.
- 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 and access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.
- Free Parking.
- Subsidised restaurant and shop at The Donkey Sanctuary main site.
Closing date for applications: Sunday 7 June 2026. 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.
Farm Worker Groom in Exeter employer: Carer Support Wiltshire
The Donkey Sanctuary is an exceptional employer located in the picturesque Sidmouth, Devon, offering a unique opportunity to work with donkeys while contributing to their welfare. With a strong commitment to employee development, a supportive work culture, and generous benefits including 31 days of holiday, life assurance, and health plans, we ensure our team members thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of donkeys and enjoy a fulfilling career in a compassionate environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Farm Worker Groom in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Donkey Sanctuary and its mission inside out. When you walk into that interview, show us your passion for donkeys and how you align with our values. It’s all about making that personal connection!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your animal observational skills before the interview. We want to hear about your experiences with animals, so think of specific examples where you’ve detected signs of distress or illness. This will show us you’re the proactive team player we’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your teamwork skills! We thrive on collaboration here, so share stories of how you’ve worked effectively in a team. Whether it’s mucking out stables or managing farm tasks, teamwork is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our amazing team at Trow and Hurford farms!
We think you need these skills to ace Farm Worker Groom in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Donkeys:When writing your application, let your love for donkeys shine through! Share any experiences you've had with animals, especially donkeys, and how they’ve shaped your desire to work in this role.
Highlight Relevant Skills:Make sure to mention your animal observational skills and any relevant experience you have. If you've worked in a similar environment or have specific training, we want to hear about it!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and skills, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carer Support Wiltshire
✨Know Your Donkeys
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge about donkeys and their care. Familiarise yourself with common health issues and behaviours. This will show your passion for the role and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Since teamwork is key in this role, think of examples from your past experiences where you worked effectively within a team. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to a positive team environment at Trow and Hurford farms.
✨Demonstrate Your Skills
Prepare to talk about your animal observational skills and any relevant experience you have. If you’ve dealt with animals before, share specific instances where you detected signs of illness or distress, as this aligns with the job requirements.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the farm's practices or the team dynamics. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if it’s the right fit for you.
