Senior Animal Care Technician in Rochdale

To support the Animal Centre Coordinator in maintaining business operations and providing guidance to the business support team within the Animal care department.

Responsibilities

• Undertake the duties of an Animal Care Technician as per the job description and in addition:
• Supervise and arrange the workloads of the Animal Care and Equine Technicians and work placement students in the absence of the Animal Centre Coordinator
• Ensure stock is regularly maintained and alert the Animal Centre Coordinator of any purchasing requirements
• Promote compliance with the Animal Care and Equine Standard Operating Procedures
• Oversee day to day Animal care across all Animal care and Equine Centre facilities in the absence of the Animal Centre Coordinator
• Take the lead on larger projects within the Animal Care Centre
• Conduct Health & Safety risk assessments and ensure relevant legislation (e.g. COSHH, BALAI) is being adhered to by staff and students
• Aid the Animal Centre Coordinator with scheduling the technician team rota, ensuring adequate staffing levels and consistent working patterns
• Ensure staffing levels are adequately met in the absence of the Animal Centre Coordinator
• Maintain accurate animal records, ensuring timely data entry in both digital and paper systems in the absence of the Animal Centre Coordinator
• Provide industry-relevant guidance to lesser experience staff members and students
• Report any and all issues within the department to the Animal Centre Coordinator in a timely manner
• Be responsible for the transport of animals on and off site when relevant in the absence of the Animal Centre Coordinator
• Any other duties of a similar level of responsibility as may be required

Qualifications and Skills

• Essential Criteria – Qualifications
  • Minimum of a full level 3 Science/animal management/care qualification
  • Full UK driving licence and own vehicle with business insurance.
• Desirable Criteria – Qualifications
  • Proficiency in dog-walking certification
  • Any other relevant qualification surrounding practical animal care.
• Essential Criteria – Experience
  • Experience of handling, caring and maintaining a wide range of animals including companion animals, livestock, equine, exotic, mammals and birds
  • Leadership and communication skills to manage and guide less experienced staff.
• Desirable Criteria – Experience
  • Experience of handling, caring and maintaining larger animals.
  • Experience of managing a project.
• Essential Criteria – Specialist Knowledge
  • Knowledge of current legislation including the Animal Welfare Act and the Health and Safety at Work etc.
  • Basic Animal First Aid.
  • Understanding of breeding programmes, importance of genetic variability when breeding and how to promote sustainable breeding within a collection.
• IT Skills
  • Basic proficiency in Microsoft applications particularly Word, Outlook and Excel. Willing to undertake training appropriate to the role.