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- Tasks: Care for stray dogs and assist the public with adoptions.
- Company: Join Sheffield City Council's dedicated team at the stray dog kennels.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, inclusive environment, and a chance to make a difference.
- Why this job: Rewarding role helping animals find homes while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience with animals is essential; formal qualifications are a plus.
- Other info: Open to diverse applicants and offers guaranteed interviews for disabled candidates.
Location: Sheffield City Council stray dog kennels currently located at Bower Spring, S3 8PB Sheffield and aiming to relocate to new premises in Attercliffe soon. The kennels are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year from the hours of 8am-8pm (opening times to be amended when the kennels relocate to new premises 8am -5pm).
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a new member to join the small team of kennel assistants to provide care for animals housed at our kennel facility, mainly stray dogs, and meeting with members of the public who will attend to reclaim and or adopt animals.
Do you have experience of working with animals? Are you highly motivated, enthusiastic, and confident handling animals, particularly those of unknown temperament? Are you prepared to work flexibly and be able to be a great team member? You must have great communication skills and the ability to deliver excellent customer care.
Previous experience of animal handling is essential and a recognised training programme or a formal qualification in an animal-related subject is desirable. You must be extremely confident working with a wide range of dogs.
Your duties will include daily care and monitoring of animals housed at the kennels and you will be responsible for cleaning and disinfection of the kennel facilities. You will need to show a basic understanding of numeracy and literacy skills and will use IT equipment to record your work.
You will be required to deal with animal-related enquiries from colleagues or members of the public, by telephone or face to face. This is potentially very rewarding work as you will be involved with re-homing and the adoption of dogs.
This is a part-time vacancy for a minimum of 23 hours per week, currently working on a rota basis covering 7 days a week. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council.
We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity, and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.
It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.
If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.
Job reference: REQ002944
Date posted: 16/12/2024
Application closing date: 05/01/2025
Location: Sheffield
Salary: Grade 4, £25,584 to £27,711 pro rata
Package: Permanent
Contractual hours: 23
Job category/type: Environmental Protection
Animal Care Assistant employer: Cornerstone Government Affairs
Contact Detail:
Cornerstone Government Affairs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Animal Care Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of stray dogs and the challenges they face. Understanding their behaviour and how to handle them can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with local animal welfare groups or volunteer at shelters to gain hands-on experience. This not only enhances your skills but also shows your commitment to animal care.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences with animals during the interview. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your confidence and ability to handle dogs of various temperaments.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your communication skills by being approachable and friendly when interacting with potential adopters. This is crucial for customer care and will reflect positively on your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to emphasise any previous experience you have working with animals, especially dogs. Mention specific tasks you've performed, such as handling, caring for, or training animals, to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role involves interacting with the public, it's important to highlight your communication skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully dealt with customers or handled enquiries in past roles.
Demonstrate Flexibility and Teamwork: The job requires flexibility and the ability to work as part of a team. Include examples from your past experiences where you've adapted to changing situations or collaborated effectively with others.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements mentioned in the job description. Use keywords from the job listing to show that you understand what the role entails and how you fit into it.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cornerstone Government Affairs
✨Show Your Passion for Animal Care
Make sure to express your genuine love for animals during the interview. Share any personal experiences you have had with pets or volunteering at animal shelters, as this will demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Discuss any previous experience you have in animal handling or care. Be specific about the types of animals you've worked with and the skills you've developed, especially in dealing with dogs of unknown temperament.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since you'll be interacting with the public, it's crucial to showcase your communication abilities. Practice explaining how you would handle inquiries from members of the public and provide examples of how you've successfully communicated in past roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations involving animals or customer interactions. Think through potential scenarios and prepare your responses, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.
