Animal Keeper – Companion Animals
💰Salary: Up to £13.16 per hour (dependent upon qualifications, skills and experience)
🕒Working Pattern: 15 hours per week / 52 weeks per year
📋Contract: Hourly Paid
📍Location: Sparsholt Campus, Hampshire
📅Closing Date: 29th July 2026
✨We are looking to recruit a part-time experienced small mammal keeper for our companion animal team.
The post holder will work under the direction of the Head of Companion animals in undertaking the management and husbandry of the companion animal section, in particular the small mammal section.
The small mammal team is diverse and includes a huge range of animals including ferrets, chinchilla, guinea pigs, rabbits, and a variety of rodents both exotic and domestic.
The post holder will: 🐰
Be responsible for the day-to-day husbandry of the companion section animals.
Work closely with other AHWRC staff to ensure high standards of animal husbandry. This will be achieved through demonstration of daily cleaning routines and training and supervision of students in practical husbandry sessions.
Supervise groups of students, instilling correct best practice and provide an engaging and interactive learner experience.
The candidate will need to support and provide cover on other sections of the AHWRC as and when necessary. Therefore other companion animal knowledge on species such as cats and dogs is desirable.
Candidates should be educated to at least level 3 in a relevant vocational subject and be able to demonstrate a professional track record of work within an accredited facility.
A flexible approach to a varied workload with a real enthusiasm for the animals you will be working with is essential.
The post holder will be required to work weekends on a rotational basis. Due to the location of the college, a driving licence would be advantageous.
Why Join Us? 🌱
At Sparsholt College, you’ll work within a stunning rural campus set in beautiful Hampshire countryside. With open green spaces, specialist land-based facilities and a peaceful natural setting, Sparsholt offers an inspiring environment to build your career.
You’ll benefit from:
- A friendly, collaborative team that values efficiency, communication and shared success
- A peaceful, spacious campus setting
- A role with real impact, helping students achieve their qualifications and progress to the next stage of their education or career
College Benefits: 🎓
• Eligibility to join a defined pension scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Occupational Sick Pay & Maternity Pay schemes
• Flexible Working Policy
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Free on-campus gym at Sparsholt Campus
• Opportunity to purchase Sparsholt-grown produce: plants, fresh fruit & veg, fish, and game
• Discounted hair treatments at the Andover campus salon
• Wide range of CPD events, plus support with professional qualifications
🌈Join us in making a difference!
Make a real difference every day – help students grow, thrive, and reach their potential!
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.