Position Overview
Job Title: Relief Farm Worker/Groom
Salary: £23,962 per annum
Location: Honiton, United Kingdom
Area: Equine Operations
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term Contract
Employment: Full Time
Reporting to the UK Farms Office Manager and Farm Managers/Farm Supervisors. Provide cover for staff absences, looking after the care and welfare of resident donkeys, mules, hinnies and ponies at our 8 sites, and support the Farm Manager and Farm Supervisor in maintaining a safe working environment.
About the Role
Your principal duties and responsibilities include:
* Providing care by routine checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing, worming and training the resident donkeys, mules, ponies and hinnies and assisting the vet, farrier and dentist as required.
* Providing daily feedback to the Farm Manager on donkey health, feeding regimes and land management, and liaising with other staff to facilitate smooth farm operations.
* Operating machinery or manually mucking out, feeding and bedding barns and stables and distributing hay, haylage and bagged feedstuffs.
* Maintaining up‑to‑date manual records for donkeys and farming practices.
* Supporting work experience students and interacting with visitors, Quality Time Volunteers and other Donkey Sanctuary departments in a friendly and positive manner.
Qualifications
* Previous equine or animal husbandry experience.
* Good communication skills.
* Excellent customer service skills.
* Experience using farm machinery, specifically tractor driving.
* Physical fitness and ability to lift about 20 kg.
* Willingness to undertake work‑related training as required.
* Full current UK valid driving licence.
What We Offer
Based at Brookfield Farm near Honiton, East Devon. Full‑time fixed‑term contract starting as soon as possible until 4 January 2027. 37.5 hours per week, 5 days over 7, weekend work as part of a rota.
Benefits
* Competitive pension.
* Life assurance.
* 31 days holiday (including bank holidays), rising to 34 days after each full year of service.
* Wellbeing team.
* Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
* Long service awards.
* Healthshield plan, including reimbursement of some medical expenses up to 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 on main site.
Closing Date
Wednesday 19 November 2025
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults). Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including a DBS check where required for the post.
Additional Information
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 ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an AI writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be the applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.
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