Farm Worker/Groom (2060)

Farm Worker/Groom (2060)

Honiton Full-Time 24000 - 36000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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The Donkey Sanctuary

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Care for donkeys, mules, and hinnies while maintaining a safe farm environment.
  • Company: The Donkey Sanctuary, a global leader in animal welfare.
  • Benefits: 31 days holiday, health plan, wellbeing activities, and free parking.
  • Why this job: Join a passionate team making a real difference in donkey welfare.
  • Qualifications: Experience in animal care, strong communication skills, and a valid UK driving licence.
  • Other info: Full-time role with excellent career development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.

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.

We have an excellent opportunity for a flexible and proactive team player with a passion for Donkeys to join our busy team at Brookfield Farm, As a Farm Worker/Groom, you will provide care and rehabilitation for the resident donkeys, mules and hinnies, and support the Farm Manager in maintaining a safe working environment.

About you:

  • Excellent observation skills to identify and notice signs that would indicate ill-health in animals.
  • Excellent communication and customer service skills – tactful and diplomatic when handling sensitive matters.
  • Competent IT knowledge and skills.
  • Full current UK valid driving licence.
  • Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions.
  • Effective team player who builds trust and positive relationships.
  • Self-motivated, with a positive and professional attitude.
  • Experience in animal husbandry or equine care.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

  • Routinely checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing, worming and training the resident donkeys, mules, ponies and hinnies.
  • 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.

This is a full-time, fixed-term contract starting as soon as possible, until 30 November 2026, working 37.5 hours per week, 5 days over 7, including weekend work as part of the team rota.

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.

Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 18 January 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.

The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.

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Farm Worker/Groom (2060) employer: The Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary is an exceptional employer, dedicated to animal welfare and fostering a supportive work environment at Brookfield Farm. Employees enjoy a range of benefits including generous holiday allowances, wellbeing initiatives, and opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to the meaningful mission of improving the lives of donkeys worldwide. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and a positive culture, this role offers a rewarding experience for those passionate about animal care.
The Donkey Sanctuary

Contact Detail:

The Donkey Sanctuary Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Farm Worker/Groom (2060)

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the organisation! Research The Donkey Sanctuary and their mission. Understanding their values and goals will help you connect with the team during interviews and show your genuine passion for animal welfare.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the role and the work culture, which can give you an edge in your application process.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for hands-on assessments! Since this role involves caring for donkeys, be ready to demonstrate your practical skills. Brush up on your animal husbandry knowledge and be prepared to showcase your experience during the interview.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at The Donkey Sanctuary. Don’t forget to highlight your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the role!

We think you need these skills to ace Farm Worker/Groom (2060)

Observation Skills
Communication Skills
Customer Service Skills
IT Knowledge
Driving Licence
Teamwork
Self-Motivation
Animal Husbandry Experience
Grooming Skills
Machinery Operation
Record Keeping
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Physical Stamina

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for donkeys and animal care in your own words.

Show Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have with animal husbandry or equine care. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission, so give us the details that showcase your skills!

Tailor Your Application: Read the job description carefully and tailor your application to match what we’re looking for. Use keywords from the description to demonstrate that you understand the role and how you fit into our team.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at The Donkey Sanctuary!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Donkey Sanctuary

✨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.

✨Showcase Your Skills

Be ready to discuss your experience in animal husbandry or equine care. Prepare specific examples of how you've handled animals in the past, especially in challenging situations. This will demonstrate your competence and ability to work effectively in a team.

✨Communicate Clearly

Since excellent communication skills are key for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Think about how you would handle sensitive matters with tact and diplomacy, as this will likely come up during the interview.

✨Prepare for Practical Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and your approach to daily tasks like feeding, grooming, and maintaining the farm. Think through scenarios you might face and how you would tackle them, showing your proactive attitude.

Farm Worker/Groom (2060)
The Donkey Sanctuary
Location: Honiton
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