Animal Care Apprentice
(Suffolk Dog Town Ltd)

Duties include

• Contribute to providing a caring, stimulating and safe environment for all dogs
• Caring and general supervision of the dogs
• Vigilance in supervising their care, well-being and entertainment
• Ensuring a plentiful supply of water
• Ensuring dog waste is removed immediately
• Tending to the dogs thoughtfully, gently and with care
• Feeding the dogs correctly (measured and on time)
• Dealing with any dogs with particular needs, i.e. older dogs or some on medication
• Paying close attention to the notices regarding dogs status such as an injury, recent surgery or allergy
• Careful and efficient monitoring of any changes or differences in dogs behaviour/temperament/condition
• Communicating and working with the team
• Treating peers with respect
• General cleaning duties, hoovering, sweeping, mopping, polishing, washing up etc.
• All other miscellaneous duties that may occur on a day to day basis
• Any other reasonable duties as per the needs of the business evolves
• You will answer to and work directly with the Managing Director
• Ensuring dogs are happy and safe at all times
• Keeping an open and honest dialogue with senior management

Desired skills

• Capable of communicating clearly with all members of the team
• Efficient and thorough, paying attention to detail
• Able to follow written and verbal instructions exactly
• Work experience within a dog environment such as a shelter or kennels immediately puts ahead of other candidates

Personal qualities

• You will be expected to demonstrate a calm approach
• A natural love of dogs
• A caring and professional approach
• Trustful – Held a position or performed a duty previously which details high levels of trust (at school if this is first position, i.e. prefect, club leader)
• Can prove your reliability, your attendance record must be exemplary
• Highly committed to the dogs wellbeing and happiness
• Punctual
• Reliable
• Flexible
• Friendly face to face manner and personable soft skills
• Outgoing
• Confident
• Pro active approach
• Adaptability
• Positive outlook

Desired qualifications

• GCSE’s or equivalent in maths and English Grade C/4 or higher are desirable but not essential
• Relevant animal experience is desired
• Applicants cannot already hold a level 2 or 3 in animal care as this will affect eligibility.

Future prospects

• Further training and senior positions may be available on completion of your apprenticeship
• Dog Handler/Trainer

Training

• Full training to be provided by the employer and KEITS at the place of employment.
• The applicant will be working towards and gain a Level 2 Animal Care & Welfare Apprenticeship Standard.
• The learner will be allocated an industry specific training consultant who will provide both remote and on site visits throughout the apprenticeship.
• The apprentice will work towards an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of their apprenticeship

Things to consider

• You will be active most of the day, some find the role too tiring and therefore will not be suitable for the position
• It is a long day but most enjoyable – you get what you put in
• We pick up dog mess! We work long shifts, which are very tiring, running around after dogs is physically tiring, you need to be fit!
• Paid lunch break
• KEITS Training Services Ltd reserves the right to close the vacancy earlier than the listed closing date should the need arise