Are you ready for the next step in your career? Tiggywinkles, the World’s busiest, multi-award winning Wildlife Hospital is seeking an Outside Team Leader & Animal Care Assistant. This is a part-time, permanent position working 8am to 5pm, Friday – Sunday (with Saturday and Sunday working in the Outside Team Leader capacity and Friday working as an Animal Care Assistant). The main tasks are to ensure the efficient running of the outside animal section by providing staff, students and volunteers with the leadership they need to successfully complete the tasks allocated to them on a daily basis; as well as hands-on husbandry of the thousand-plus wild animals currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at our Hospital. The husbandry entails cleaning cages and enclosures, preparing and providing food, with some (minimal) handling of a variety of wild species. To succeed in this role, you will have a positive disposition, work effectively both on your own initiative and as part of a team, and the ability to remain calm in emergency situations. Experience working with animals and an animal care qualification is desirable but not essential, as is previous experience of leading a team. Previous wildlife experience is not necessary as we will provide you with the necessary training. Located in the village of Haddenham in rural Buckinghamshire, Tiggywinkles offers an outstanding working environment along with the chance to be part of a friendly, passionate, and highly skilled patient-focused team at our world-leading wildlife hospital. As well as the opportunity to develop your skills and experience within this specialist field, you’ll benefit from 28 days leave pro rata (including bank holidays), the opportunity to join our pension scheme, free on-site parking, good road and rail links, free flu jabs, access to our Salary Extras discounts platform and fun staff social events. The closing date for this vacancy is end of day on Wednesday 25 th February 2026 If you are interested in applying to join the team, please complete our application questions and upload your CV via our online system by clicking the green ‘apply for this job’ button in the top left corner of this page. If you have any questions or difficulties applying, please contact Steph Broadribb at [email protected] As a BAME and LGBTQ inclusive employer we are keen to hear from candidates from all minority and diverse groups. We are keen to hear from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions and would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process. JOB DESCRIPTION Responsible to: Head Nurses Job Purpose: To ensure the efficient running of the outside animal section by providing staff, students and volunteers with the leadership they need to successfully complete the tasks allocated to them on a daily basis. Assist with general animal husbandry for the sick, injured and orphaned wild animals being cared for at Tiggywinkles, including the Visitor Centre. Key Accountabilities: Ensure high standards of general animal husbandry across the outside animal section and Visitor Centre, including cleaning and mucking out the cages in the animal section as required. Ensuring that food is prepared in line with the established protocols and assisting in this process including providing food and water to the animals. Handling the animals and birds as necessary, following the strict protocols and guidelines provided, and ensuring that these protocols are observed by everyone in the outdoor animal section. Providing basic medication under Veterinary direction. Ensure that all medical queries are referred to the Head Nurses or Nurse on duty as appropriate. To Team Lead the students to ensure all daily, weekly and monthly tasks are completed in line with the requirements outlined by the nursing team. This includes: Allocating the tasks to be completed that day to the students on duty, taking into account the priorities of the day and any particular skills/limitations the students may have. Giving the students the direction and instructions they need to be able to carry out the tasks efficiently and thoroughly. Monitor the work of the students throughout the day, providing them with feedback and taking corrective action if any tasks are not completed to the standard required. Providing students with the encouragement and support they may need in order to deliver to a high standard. Highlighting any performance issues amongst the students to the Head Nurses. Collecting samples as requested from time to time by the vet or nursing team. Cleaning non-animal areas, including general sweeping, dish washing and washing laundry. Adhere to stock management processes to ensure that supplies are always available. Assisting with deliveries, including unloading/unpacking, storage, topping up the food bins as necessary. Talking to the public if working in the Visitor Centre areas in a polite and professional manner. Complying with all safeguarding policies and procedures that apply and ensuring that all relevant policies and procedures are adhered to. Support the rescue and release of patients when required. Keeping equipment in good working order and reporting maintenance requirements/repairs as necessary. Ensure adherence to the Health and Safety and Security procedures at all times. Attending to other jobs, as reasonable for the role and as required by the operation. PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential: Able to take responsibility for own work and do what’s necessary to get the best possible results for the Hospital and our patients. A positive disposition and effective problem solving skills. Ability to work effectively both on own initiative and as part of a team. Ability to work under pressure and remain calm when faced with emergency situations. Ability to communicate effectively at all levels. Desirable: A qualification in animal care. Previous experience working with animals. Previous experience of leading a team. Previous experience of working with volunteers and students. A full valid driving licence. Able to demonstrate some strength and agility to enable effective working with our wild patients (full animal handling training will be provided).