Technician in Animal Welfare (Maternity Cover) - CS12465

What skills and experience we're looking for

Animal Care Skills

Organisational Skills

Flexible availability

Weekend availability

What the college offers its staff

When you join WCG we offer you a whole host of employee benefits, including

• Comprehensive training programme.
• Generous leave entitlement plus up to four free College Closure days a year
• WCG offers all employees who are carers the option to request a period of Carer’s Leave that is equal to their usual working week, paid at their normal pay.
• Leadership & Management training programme to develop our next generation of managers.
• Superb health and wellbeing support with Wellbeing@WCG.
• The opportunity to join our voluntary health cash plan run by Health Shield.
• Discounted Full Cost Recovery courses.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free on-site gym
• Discounted hair and beauty treatments in our College salons.
• Pension schemes.
• Free will writing service.
• Free car parking on-site.

Further details about the role

This role is temporary until 31st of July 2027.

This role is pro rata so the salary you will be receiving is £20,186.75 per annum per annum.

Flexible weekends on a rota will be required.

BACKGROUND TO THE POST

The appointed person will need to provide practical instruction at relevant industry standards. You will work closely with lecturing teaching staff and this will include providing practical support, instruction, training and supervision to students in practical subjects both on an individual and group basis. The person will also be responsible for the preparation of materials and maintenance of resources for practical tasks.

We ensure that provision is learner focused, which leads to academic excellence, high quality learning and an outstanding student experience which reflects the commercial focused curriculum delivery model and contributes to the achievement of the College’s strategic and development plans.

WCG is one of the largest FE colleges in the UK. We have five centres offering a range of vocational subjects with over 20,000 enrolments. Animal related programmes are delivered at both our Landbased Colleges (Moreton Morrell and Pershore). The Animal Welfare and Veterinary Nursing Department delivers courses to students ranging from Foundation Learning to BSc (Hons) Degree level.

The Animal Welfare Centres within WCG include housing for a range of animal species including canines, felines, small and large mammals, aquatics, invertebrates, avians, reptiles, exotics and other specialist animal facilities. Currently, the department is reviewing its animal stock strategy and is looking to develop a broader range of exotic species and drive a more commercially minded edge to appeal both to students and members of the public. The Centre operates all year round with activity occurring outside the academic year and at weekends and holidays. It is staffed by a range of staff including Instructor/Technicians, Apprentices and Temporary Casual Staff who work on a rota basis to cover weekends and holiday periods. For this reason, the post-holder is expected to be able to support the centre during times of the year where there could be adverse weather conditions to ensure the safety and welfare of the animals on site and thus local geographical presence is essential.

PURPOSE OF THE POST

This is an important post supporting the wider team within the department while offering opportunities for personal development and growing responsibilities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To develop and maintain a well-prepared, realistic and safe animal centre environment, delivering exceptional standards of animal husbandry and welfare, and supporting the development of students’ professional attitudes and practical skills.
• Support the efficient and effective running and development of all aspects of the curriculum, including the preparation of animal housing, equipment and practical areas, and assisting in the supervision of students during animal handling and husbandry activities, ensuring best practice in daily care routines.
• Carry out routine maintenance of animal accommodation and facilities, ensuring high standards of hygiene, cleanliness, biosecurity and animal husbandry, in accordance with Health and Safety, Standard Operating Procedures and animal welfare regulations, and liaise with external agencies (e.g. vets, suppliers, maintenance contractors) to ensure the continued upkeep of the animal centre.
• Maintain an effective stock control system, including the storage, ordering and receipt of feed, bedding, enrichment items and other materials, ensuring appropriate organisation and availability of resources to support high-quality animal husbandry practices.
• Support academic and instructing staff to ensure that all students working within the animal centre receive appropriate Health and Safety, animal handling and husbandry inductions, including safe working practices, animal welfare considerations and relevant legislation.
• Assist with additional technical and support duties across the department as required, including preparation for open days and careers events, participation in team meetings, and contributing to the overall smooth operation of the animal centre while upholding exceptional husbandry standards.

Technicians are not expected to

• To teach theory.
• To write schemes of work.
• To deal with knowledge-based assessment.

Criteria

Educated to Level 2 in Animal Welfare or demonstrable experience

Evidence of formal structured training in a relevant vocation.

Be flexible with the ability to adapt to changing situations.

Flexible availability for weekend and holiday cover

Working knowledge of information technology such as e-mail, the internet and other software applications.

Excellent administrative and organisational skills.

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.