Animal Technician

About the Role

Bede is seeking a dedicated Animal Care professional to support its growing Animal Care provision. The role involves providing high standards of animal welfare, maintaining facilities, and supporting practical teaching sessions to help students develop hands-on animal care skills.

Working with a diverse range of species, you will collaborate with teaching and technical staff to create a safe, engaging learning environment while contributing to the development of the animal collection and facilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily animal care, including feeding, watering, enclosure cleaning, and monitoring animal health and welfare.

• Prepare animals, equipment, and resources for practical teaching sessions and student activities.

• Maintain animal accommodation, enrichment programmes, and biosecurity procedures.

• Support students during practical activities, promoting safe working practices and appropriate animal handling.

• Maintain accurate records of animal welfare, treatments, stock levels, and routine husbandry tasks.

• Contribute to the development of animal facilities and the collection to enhance learning opportunities.

• Promote high standards of animal welfare, health and safety, and professional conduct.

• Work collaboratively with teaching staff, technical teams, students, and visitors.

Requirements

• Level 3 qualification or equivalent in Animal Care, Animal Management, or a related subject.

• GCSE Grade 4/C or above, or equivalent, in English and Mathematics.

• Relevant practical experience in animal husbandry and welfare.

• Full UK driving licence and access to a personal vehicle for business use.

• Experience working with multiple animal species in a professional animal care, educational, zoo, farm, or veterinary setting.

• Knowledge of animal husbandry, health monitoring, enrichment, and safe handling and restraint techniques.

• Understanding of hygiene, biosecurity, health and safety, and animal welfare requirements.

• Strong organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to prioritise tasks, work independently, and collaborate effectively in a busy environment.

• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience in further education, schools, zoos, farms, or animal rescue environments.

• Experience supporting learners or training others in practical animal care.

• Knowledge of diverse animal species and enrichment planning.

• Familiarity with animal record-keeping systems and stock control.

• First Aid qualification or willingness to undertake training.

• Animal transport, manual handling, or relevant industry training.

• Awareness of current developments in the animal care sector.

About the Candidate

The ideal candidate will be reliable, professional, organised, and passionate about animal welfare and student development. They will demonstrate a positive attitude, strong teamwork, and the ability to build effective relationships with learners and colleagues.

As a Changemaker, they will help create a safe and inspiring learning environment, encourage student confidence and employability, and contribute ideas to improve animal care provision.

What We Offer

• 35-48 days of annual leave, plus public holidays, excluding term-time-only contracts.

• Generous family leave and flexible working options, depending on the role.

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or Teachers' Pension Scheme, depending on the role.

• Retail discounts through the myLifestyle benefits platform.

• Dental, eye care, and health cash plans.

• Wellbeing support through a digital hub covering physical, mental, and financial health.

• Free parking at most campuses.