Job Description

Role: Animal Care Officer

Reports to: Section Senior in the first instance

Place of work: Ard Jerkyll, East Foxdale, Isle of Man

Hours of work: 40 per week, worked on a five day per week rota basis (seven days per week – 8.00am to 5.00pm)

General overview

The ManxSPCA operates the Island’s only rescue centre that cares for all domestic and wild animals, aiming either to re-home or release them. It does not receive funding from Government and relies on donations, legacies and subscriptions to continue its work.

The Society is committed to being recognised as a centre of excellence, to being a great place to work, and to ensuring its employees receive appropriate training and development.

General Duties

• Cleaning pens/cabins/equipment/feeding bowls

• Carrying out routine health checks on animals, and administering basic health care and medication (e.g. flea and worming treatments)
• Preparing food in relation to animals’ dietary needs, and giving food and water at mealtimes
• Grooming and socialising animals, and undertaking enrichment activities with them
• Observing animals – e.g. behaviours and eating habits – and recording information in specific diaries
• Helping with Vet’s visits by preparing animals and their records for inspection; and making appointments as directed by the Vet for medical treatments; and helping to transport them
• Maintaining all appropriate records as required, including electronic ones
• Assisting with animal rescues
• Providing a friendly, welcoming and professional service to visitors during public viewing times, and when owners drop off/pick up their animals for boarding
• Answering the telephone efficiently, making sure accurate information is noted or passed on to the relevant person or section
• Promoting the work of the Society, and the animals that need to be adopted – either in face-to-face contact with the public or through appropriate use of social media
• Assisting with the commercial aspects of the Society’s work, in particular the boarding of animals, ensuring that the needs of the animals are met at all times
• Taking part in the adoption process for animals

• Ensuring the environment within Ard Jerkyll is kept clean and tidy
• Ensuring that Health and Safety procedures are observed at all times, and appropriate personal protective equipment is worn when necessary.

 

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Skills and experience

• A demonstrable interest in animals, and their welfare
• A professional qualification in a related subject (e.g. animal behaviour/husbandry)
• A track record of working in a busy and dynamic environment, ideally with animals
• Good communication skills (verbal and written)
• A full driving licence and means of transport
• Computer literacy.