Rehoming Centre Groom
We are seeking a person with a passion for Donkeys to join our busy team at the Belfast Centre, Templepatrick.
Position: Rehoming Centre Groom (1970)
Location: Belfast
Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £23,962 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: Monday 14th July 2025
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 substantial equine and animal husbandry experience, you will provide care and rehabilitation for the resident donkeys and will support the Centre Manager in maintaining a safe working environment.
About you:
- Previous equine or animal husbandry experience.
- Good communication skills.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Physically fitness and able to lift, for example, a bag of feed (approx. 20 kg).
- Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions.
- Willing to undertake work related training as required.
- Full current valid driving licence.
About the role:
Your principal duties and responsibilities will 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 feedback on a daily basis to the Centre Manager on matters such as donkey health, feeding regimes and land management, and liaising with other staff to facilitate smooth running of the farm.
- 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, trimming, compost management, willow management and dirty water control.
- Maintaining up to date manual records for the donkeys and farming practices.
What we offer in return:
Based at The Belfast Centre, Templepatrick, this is a full time permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 37.5 hours per week, 5 days over 7, with weekend work as part of a 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.
Closing date for completed applications: Monday 14 July 2025.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 17th July, at our Centre in Templepatrick
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.
