Animal Care Assistant (3129)

Do you want to help create a better world for animals? 

At the RSPCA, we believe animal welfare is everyone's welfare. Join us in creating a better world for every animal. We can do it if we work together, everyone for every animal. Choose a career with us and make a difference.

We are looking for a new team member to join us as an Animal Care Assistant within our Ashley Heath team.  We are a large animal centre caring for a variety of domestic animals that have been rescued from cruelty and neglect. Care and rehabilitation is a large part of the role alongside working closly with the public to find new loving homes and post adoption support.

Working hours: 35 hours per week, on a shift rota which includes a 2 in 4 weekends and some bank holidays.

Fixed Term contract:  6 months fixed term contract

Site worker: Applicants must be located within a commutable distance from our Ashley Heath Centre. Our location is fairly rural without close public transport networks.

It's important to us that you feel part of our team from the start. We like to keep in touch with regular check-ins and team meetings. There's always a teammate around for support or a quick chat.

Are you ready to join our movement?

Our recruitment journey – key dates for you to note

Here's what the process looks like, no surprises, just a friendly guide:

1. Application
   You'll be asked to answer 2 questions to give us a sense of your experience, skills, and potential.
2. Panel Interview
   If your application is successful, you'll be invited to a panel interview with the Hiring Manager. This is a chance to:

• Share more about what you've done and what you're proud of
• We encourage you to ask questions about the role, the team, and the impact you could make. Interviews are a two-way conversation, and we recognise that any career move needs to feel right for you as well as for us.
• Show off your skills and behaviours in a relaxed, supportive setting

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know - we're happy to support you.

Here at RSPCA no two days are the same, as an Animal Care Assistant,  we've added a short summary of what a typical day might look like, for a full insight please refer to the attached job description.

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity at the largest animal welfare charity in the UK as an Animal Care Assistant. Our amazing Animal Care Assistants are critical in the day to day operation of our Animal Centres. You will work as part of a team with our staff and volunteers in providing care, compassion and enrichment and socialisation  for all animals in the centre.  Our Animal Care Assistants are responsible for the care and rehabilitation of animals who have been rescued from cruelty, abuse and neglect.

You'll start your day cleaning the animals' accommodation,as well as feeding and watering them, and then start the daily exercise routine. It can be physically hard, but also very rewarding and satisfying work knowing the animals are comfortable and happy when you are finished. Our Animal Care Assistants ensure the highest standards of welfare, and will monitor and report on animal behaviour, wellbeing and health. You will also administer medication or treatment prescribed by a Vet, and implement behaviour modification programmes with guidance from our Behaviour and Welfare Advisors and the wider team.

Once the animals in our care are ready for their forever home, you will be involved in the adoption process, helping to find the perfect matched home for the animal you look after. You'll also meet with potential adopters to provide post-adoption advice and support.

Join our dedicated team for this amazing and rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to an animal's life!

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible

We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed  to our mission.  For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family! 

We're here to support you and encourage you to let us know if you need any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please feel free to contact us at resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk or 0300 123 0685 so we can ensure the process works for you.