At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome visitors, provide information, and promote our donkey welfare initiatives.
- Company: Join The Donkey Sanctuary, a leading animal welfare organisation dedicated to donkeys worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days holiday, health perks, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible hours in a beautiful location with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a difference in the lives of donkeys while engaging with visitors.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for animal welfare.
The predicted salary is between 12000 - 15000 £ 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 proactive and flexible team players with outstanding interpersonal skills to join our Commercial and Onsite Activities department for the summer months as Visitor Services Assistant.
The Visitor Engagement team is the first point of contact for visitors, providing a warm welcome, offering help, advice and information on all aspects of the Charity.
Whether enjoying the new interpretation centre, exploring the wider sanctuary or finding out about our extensive worldwide work, you will be on hand to help visitors explore and discover everything we have to offer.
About you
- Excellent customer service skills; which includes experience of dealing with enquiries and complaints from supporters/members of the public.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to interact with visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
- Basic I. T. skills (proficient in Word, Outlook and Excel).
- Knowledge and genuine interest in the work of The Donkey Sanctuary.
- Full, valid UK Driving Licence.
About the role
- Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –
- Providing a warm friendly welcome, help and advice across all Visitor Engagement points, namely the Welcome Area.
- Provide daily talks to groups of visitors.
- Ensuring that excellent customer service is a main priority, giving a warm welcome to all visitors and proactively engaging them in the charity at every opportunity.
- Informing visitors about the donkeys, advising visitors of the work of the charity, answering queries and advising on the new visitor facilities.
- Ensuring the Visitor Centre is well stocked with literature.
- Responding to face-to-face complaints and feedback, taking prompt and appropriate action to resolve any issues.
- Proactively promoting adopt-a-donkey to members of the public.
- Answering emails and telephone enquiries, booking visits, and entering new supporter information onto the database as required.
What we offer in return
Based in Sidmouth, East Devon – an area of outstanding natural beauty – this is a permanent contract, working 15 hours per week, over 3 days per week, with one day over the weekend.
The working pattern will be agreed between the successful candidate and the hiring manager.
- Life assurance.
- 31 Days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service. Pro rata for part-time working hours.
- Wellbeing team.
- Recorded Pilates and Yoga 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.
Closing date for completed applications: Tuesday 4 August 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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Visitor Services Assistant (2269) in Sidmouth employer: The Donkey Sanctuary
The Donkey Sanctuary is an exceptional employer, offering a fulfilling opportunity for Groundworkers at our Weston farm location. With a strong commitment to animal welfare, we foster a supportive work culture that values teamwork and professional growth, providing employees with training opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of donkeys worldwide. Join us in a role where your skills will contribute to vital projects while enjoying a competitive salary and the satisfaction of working for a charity dedicated to improving animal welfare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Visitor Services Assistant (2269) in Sidmouth
✨Connect with the Community
Get involved in customer support communities online! Platforms like Reddit and specific Facebook groups can be goldmines for sharing opportunities and tips. You can find out about part-time roles that might not even be advertised yet — it's all about who you know!
✨Attend Local Job Fairs
Job fairs are perfect for snagging part-time gigs! Keep an eye out for local hiring events and career expos in your area. It’s a brilliant chance to meet representatives from companies like The Donkey Sanctuary and show off your personality in person.
✨Boost Your Visibility
Showcase your skills in online customer support forums or by offering help on platforms like Zendesk Community. A strong online presence can catch the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers looking for genuinely passionate candidates.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don’t forget, applying through our website is one of the best ways to catch our attention. Tailor your application for the part-time customer support role at The Donkey Sanctuary and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Visitor Services Assistant (2269) in Sidmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, communication is key! Make sure your CV and cover letter highlight your ability to clearly convey information and resolve issues. Use examples that illustrate how you've helped customers or colleagues in the past.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities:Employers want to see how you tackle challenges. Include specific instances where you resolved a tough issue for a customer or improved a process. Real life scenarios are a great way to showcase your critical thinking and adaptability.
Tailor Your Application to Part-Time Work:Since this is a part-time role, be upfront about your availability in your cover letter. Highlight how you can balance work with your other commitments. It shows you're organised and committed to making the role work for both you and The Donkey Sanctuary.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about The Donkey Sanctuary and our approach to customer support. Mention in your cover letter why you're excited about supporting our customers specifically. It’ll show your enthusiasm and that you've done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Donkey Sanctuary
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
In customer support, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is key. During the interview, make sure to demonstrate your listening skills and your ability to explain solutions simply. Use examples from past experiences where you resolved customer issues successfully.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like ticketing systems (think Zendesk or Freshdesk) and chat software. If you’ve used any of these in previous roles or during your studies, be ready to chat about your experiences. Showing you can hit the ground running with these tools will impress The Donkey Sanctuary.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since this is a part-time role, emphasise your ability to adapt to different shifts and your willingness to handle varying customer volumes. Share any experiences where you thrived in a fast-paced environment or juggled multiple tasks, which can highlight your time management skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Interviewers often love scenario-based questions in customer support roles. Be ready to tackle common customer situations, like how you'd handle an unhappy customer. Practising responses to these scenarios will showcase your problem-solving ability and customer service mindset, which The Donkey Sanctuary will surely appreciate.
