Job Description
Date: May 2025
Job Title: Animal Care Technician (Bank)
Unit/Directorate: Millie College
Reports To: Enterprise Lead
Supervises: Animal Care Volunteers
Hours: Flexible working (to cover 52 weeks per year including weekend working)
Salary: £23,400 FTE (£12 p/hr)
Location: Based at Millie College located at Holton Lee, Poole
Exceptional People Deserve Exceptional Staff
An exciting opportunity has now arisen for an enthusiastic and experienced individual to join the Shaftesbury Millie College Enterprise team as an Animal Care Technician.
Shaftesbury Millie College is a post 16-25 education setting helping young people with a range of learning and physical disabilities in Dorset and the local area, bridging the gap between education and employment. It is a one-of-a-kind work environment, set on a 350-acre countryside site near Poole. The college’s curriculum is directly aligned to its natural environment and the enterprise activities that operate there, including animal care, catering and retail, conservation and horticulture.
As Animal Care Technician, you will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of all animal care on site, liaising with the education team to maintain clean, safe and accessible animal accommodation.
You will maintain clear records of cleanliness, and use the checklists and records provided to ensure that all animal care is completed effectively each day, as part of the support of Millie College to the RSPCA guide to animal care and welfare.
The successful candidate will be a dedicated, enthusiastic, self-motivated person with a passion for animal welfare and supporting the learning of students during sessions in our unique college environment. You will need to be confident in the welfare, husbandry, and handling of a range of animals, and will take responsibility for identifying any areas of learning and growth within your role.
This role requires a calm working approach, the ability to multi-task and be responsive to change, flexibility and commitment as weekend work will be required on a Rota basis. Flexible working patterns are available for this role, to be discussed with potential candidates.
Main Duties
- Have oversight of all animals and their housing across Shaftesbury Millie College
- Maintaining records for health & safety and compliance.
- Regularly inspect the grounds, paddock/enclosure areas for any health and safety concerns and ensure that they are maintained to a high standard at all times.
- Consistent communication with Enterprise Managers to ensure effective enterprise delivery.
- Identifying any repairs or replacements of broken equipment and fencing, ensuring routine checks are in place.
- Highlight any routine veterinary and farrier care to keep all animals in good health and completing paperwork and ensuring animals have up-to-date vaccinations.
- Support our growing excellent working partnerships with external bodies to support the growth and development of the college and its animal care programme including local authorities, RSPCA, DEFRA, RSPB, Dorset Chicken Rescue etc.
- Be responsible for alerting the Maintenance Team in cases of site or building damage and any need for removal by contractors.
- Support on the ordering of materials and equipment for the Animal Care operation.
- To undertake any other duties which may be required by the Enterprise Managers
- To comply with all relevant Health and Safety procedures.
- To be prepared to work out of hours as/if necessary and regular weekend work as directed and agreed with your line manager.
- To be prepared to work at other local sites.
- To agree to work to all existing and future Shaftesbury / School policies.
- To maintain the Christian aims of Shaftesbury.
What We Offer:
- A supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
- Access to great facilities and resources.
Expectations
- To have due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people
- To follow the safeguarding procedures adopted by Shaftesbury and within the college policies.
- To work within the framework of the mission statements, aims, policies and procedures of the college and Shaftesbury and to support the Christian objectives of the organisation.
- To be committed to the development of opportunities for inclusion for all students attending the college and to promote equality of opportunity and cultural diversity.
- To accept a personal commitment to the responsibility for the education, care and development of all students attending the college.
- To promote and develop a team approach across all professional disciplines to the college's work.
- To be a role model for staff and students in all aspects of personal and professional conduct and by exemplifying the Code of Conduct of Shaftesbury.
Commitment to Safeguarding
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Shaftesbury Millie College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and staff. It is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check and will follow our rigorous safer recruitment processes.
Shaftesbury Millie College strives to be a diverse and inclusive community and welcomes applications from people from all backgrounds.
Application Process
Job Description and Application Form on request – please contact Cenan Chappell, cchappell@victoria.poole.sch.uk
- Closing date: 1st June 2025 - 4:00pm
- Interview Dates: W/C 2nd June 2025 (suitable candidates may be invited to interview earlier)
Early applications are strongly encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the advert should we feel able to appoint an appropriate candidate before the above dates.
Visits to the setting are welcomed, and encouraged, by arrangement. For further information or if you have any questions, contact: cchappell@victoria.poole.sch.uk