Farm Worker Groom
We have an excellent opportunity for a flexible and proactive individual with a passion for Donkeys to join our busy team at Paccombe Farm, near Sidmouth, East Devon.
Position: Farm Worker / Groom (2151)
Location: Sidbury
Hours: Full-time
Salary: £25,350 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Monday 16th February 2026
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.
Possessing excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills, you will provide care and rehabilitation for the resident donkeys, and will 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.
Desirable:
- 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, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 37.5 hours per week, 5 days out of 7, including weekend work as part of the team rota.
Benefits:
Competitive pension.
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: Monday 16 February 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. #INDNFP
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
