Farm Worker/Groom

Role overview

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare charity dedicated to protecting donkeys around the world. Its aim is to improve donkey welfare every day by building understanding, collaboration and support, and by creating lasting relationships that benefit donkeys and the people who care for them.

There is an opportunity for a flexible, proactive team player with a strong interest in donkeys to join the busy team at Hannigans Farm near Liscarroll in County Cork. The role calls for significant experience in equine and animal husbandry, along with the ability to support the care and rehabilitation of resident donkeys, mules and hinnies while helping the Farm Manager and Farm Supervisor maintain a safe workplace.

Employment details

This is a permanent, full-time role with a salary of €33,037 per year. The expected schedule is 39 hours per week, with the exact pattern agreed between the line manager and the post-holder. Weekend working flexibility will be needed, and the start date is as soon as possible.

Main duties

The job includes routine care of the resident animals, maintaining hygiene standards across the farm, operating equipment safely, and supporting veterinary and welfare-related activity. The role also involves regular health monitoring, reporting, and preparation of donkeys for rehoming where needed.

Candidate profile

Applicants should bring practical animal husbandry experience, ideally with equines, and be able to recognise behaviour patterns and signs of illness or distress. The role also requires sound judgement, clear communication, competent IT use, a full driving licence, willingness to train further, and experience handling farm machinery, especially tractors.

Benefits

The position comes with a competitive pension, life assurance, annual leave that starts at 20 days and rises by one day each year up to 25 days, plus 10 additional public holidays. Other benefits include a wellbeing team, recorded Pilates classes, long service awards, Healthshield cover with reimbursement of some medical expenses up to set limits, discounts and cashback through participating outlets, 24/7 GP and counselling access, and free parking.

Additional information

The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer. It is committed to safeguarding vulnerable people, and successful applicants will need to complete safer recruitment checks, including a DBS check where relevant. The organisation also takes part in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and may ask previous employers for information about findings or investigations relating to sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment where relevant.

The guaranteed interview scheme applies only to candidates with a disability applying for roles based in the United Kingdom. Applicants are asked to complete their application in their own words and not use AI writing tools; applications that appear not to be the applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted. The candidate journey page and FAQs should be reviewed before applying. The closing date for completed applications is Tuesday 21 July 2026.

Documents

JD_IRE_Farm Worker Groom.pdf