Job Description

Role Overview

The

Animal Care Coordinator

is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, care, and management across Elysian's

Hillside and Shamley Green sites

. This is a hands-on role requiring significant experience in animal husbandry, welfare, and compliance, with a focus on maintaining ethical, safe, and effective animal care practices. The role involves overseeing daily care routines, ensuring all animals are physically and emotionally well, and collaborating with education and therapy teams to support the organisation's therapeutic and educational provisions.

Key Responsibilities

Animal Welfare & Husbandry:

Ensure all animals on-site receive appropriate nutrition, healthcare, enrichment, and handling in accordance with best practices. Monitor and assess animal behaviour, implementing tailored welfare plans where required. Develop and maintain high-quality animal welfare protocols, ensuring the physical and psychological wellbeing of all species in Elysian's care.

Daily Operations & Compliance:

Oversee and manage feeding schedules, exercise routines, grooming, and enclosure maintenance. Ensure enclosures are safe, clean, and suitable for each species, maintaining high welfare and hygiene standards. Ensure compliance with all relevant

animal welfare legislation, licensing, and biosecurity measures

, including DEFRA and local authority regulations.

Veterinary & Healthcare Management:

Liaise with veterinarians, farriers, behaviourists, and other specialists to manage preventative and reactive animal healthcare. Maintain accurate health records, ensuring all necessary vaccinations, worming, and medical treatments are up to date. Identify and respond to any signs of illness, injury, or distress in animals, implementing appropriate action plans.

Training, Supervision & Stakeholder Engagement:

Train and oversee staff, volunteers, and students in safe, ethical animal handling, welfare, and behaviour management. Work closely with therapists and educators to ensure animals are

safely integrated into therapeutic and educational programs

. Provide training for internal teams to build understanding of animal welfare principles. Support in community engagement activities, events, and open days where animals are involved.

Stock, Equipment & Resource Management:

Manage and maintain appropriate supplies of feed, bedding, medical provisions, and enrichment materials. Ensure all animal care equipment is

well-maintained and compliant

with safety standards. Work within allocated budgets and propose improvements to welfare provisions.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

Minimum

Level 3 qualification

(or higher) in

Animal Welfare, Animal Management, Veterinary Nursing, Equine Science, Zoology, or a related field

.

Extensive hands-on experience (minimum 5 years)

in diverse animal care settings (e.g., farm management, equine therapy, zoo/animal parks, veterinary, or welfare organisations). Strong knowledge of

welfare legislation, licensing requirements, and animal behaviour

. Proven experience in

handling a variety of species

, including small animals, livestock, and exotic species. Experience in

managing health plans, liaising with vets, and administering medical treatments

. Ability to

train, supervise, and mentor

staff, volunteers, and students in best practice animal care.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience:

Higher education qualification

(Degree or Level 4+) in Animal Welfare or Veterinary Sciences. Experience in an

educational or therapeutic setting

, integrating animals into learning and well-being programs. Knowledge of

biosecurity measures and risk assessments

for animal interactions.

Skills & Attributes:

Passionate about animal welfare

, with a strong commitment to ethical care and handling. Highly

organised and proactive

, able to manage multiple responsibilities across two sites. Strong

communication and teamwork skills

, collaborating effectively with multiple teams. Ability to

work outdoors in all weather conditions

, with a hands-on, problem-solving approach. Confident in making welfare-led decisions and implementing necessary actions.

Working Hours & Conditions:

Full-time role

working across

Hillside and Shamley Green sites

.

5-day working week

, preferably including

one weekend day

as part of a regular schedule (negotiable for the right candidate. Some flexibility required for emergency care or animal health concerns. Outdoor-based work in a physically active role. We may consider a part time candidate covering one site
Please apply directly on our website - not through Indeed

https://elysianuk.org/work-with-us/

All roles are subject to safeguarding checks and scrutiny.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 28,000.00-31,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company events Company pension On-site parking Sick pay
Education:

Certificate of Higher Education (preferred)
Experience:

Animal care: 3 years (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: On the road

Application deadline: 22/06/2025