Overview

Wadars

Set in 15 acres of the beautiful South Downs in Ferring, West Sussex, Wadars is a leading animal rescue charity and has been providing protection of animals of all kinds in need of care and attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or similar causes since 1969. As a registered charity, we rely almost entirely on donations, legacies and fundraising from within the community that we serve.

Wadars rescues and rehabilitates around 1,500 wildlife and re-homes over 400 companion animals (pets) every year. Our team of mobile animal rescue officers respond to calls from the general public where animals are in peril and, during the summer months, can receive more than 50 calls a day.

After 50 years of working with commercial kennels, catteries and other wildlife units, we have now obtained full planning permission for the development of a comprehensive rescue and rehoming centre. This will take time – and money – to complete and in the meantime, we have created a small but well equipped wildlife unit with associated aviaries and built the first phase of our cattery.

We work tirelessly to provide rehabilitation of wild animal causalities and their integration back into their natural environment. We also provide a mobile animal rescue service, with a fleet of three animal ambulances, responding to distressed, injured and displaced wild animals in our community.

Animal Welfare Supervisor

In support of our work across all animal welfare teams, we need to recruit a supervisor to work within our small, friendly teams including volunteers.

You will form part of a team of three supervisors, working flexibly across all animal welfare units. You will be responsible for leading and managing staff and volunteers either in the wildlife unit or the cattery and small animals unit on a daily basis, including providing cover to the community based mobile animal rescue officers during times of holidays and other absences.

Within the wildlife unit, your responsibilities will include intake, initial assessment, medication, daily health checks, rehabilitation and release of casualties. With companion animals, responsibilities will include liaising with the members of the public wishing to give up their pets and potential adopters, plus the care, daily assessment and medication of all companion animals.

You may be required to liaise with other members of the animal welfare team, volunteer fosterers and be prepared to support the training of animal welfare staff and our team of dedicated volunteers.

Your primary professional experience would be gained across multiple species ideally including British wildlife such as birds, hedgehogs and small mammals and trained in crop/tube feeding and administering medications, although training will be given. Experience of working with cats and/or dogs in a rescue or kennels environment would be an advantage. A full driving licence is essential as you will be required to drive a Wadars animal ambulance.

The supervisor role is offered at 4 days a week (32 hours) although full time working may be available for the right candidate. Each 8 hour shift will generally be between 8am and 8pm and will need to be flexible to ensure each unit is managed throughout each day.

The salary offered is based upon £21,840 per annum for a full time role.

You will be part of the public face of Wadars and you will be in close contact with the community both directly and indirectly. It is an essential element of the job that the people who we serve are treated efficiently and effectively but, most of all, with kindness, compassion and understanding.

The centre is operational 365 days a year and therefore, the roles offered will include weekends and Public Holidays. You must also be available to work on a flexible rota. Where possible, we may arrange a visit to other similar animal welfare units for training and familiarisation.

Working within in the animal units can be physically and emotionally demanding; a high degree of emotional stamina and the ability to cope with animal euthanasia, cruelty and neglect is essential.

Purpose of the Job

  • To work for the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animal casualties and their integration back to their natural environment.
  • To work for the rescue, care and rehoming of companion animals.
  • Prevent animal suffering and to promote best practice and compassion in animal welfare.

Main Duties

This is not an exhaustive list but an outline of the main duties for the post-holder. Working with Wadars staff, volunteers and other vocational placements:

  • Lead and manage the workflow of your team by assigning tasks, supporting staff/volunteers, monitoring results and reporting to management.
  • Contribute to the efficiency of the animal welfare team by helping the Manager to review and improve processes.
  • Be prepared to work flexibly across all animal units including working in the community to cover holidays and other absences of the Animal Rescue Officers.
  • Admit, care for, prepare for release (of wildlife casualties) or adoption (of companion animals), according to the standard procedures and protocols of the centre.
  • Undertake initial assessment and daily health checks of all animals and report any concerns to your manager.
  • Liaise with the general public including potential adopters, fosterers, those wishing to relinquish companion animals and those with wildlife enquiries and/or casualties.
  • Accurately record information and assist in the collation of statistics.
  • Carry out care and rehabilitation (or adoption) procedures, as defined in Wadars procedures. This involves hands-on treatment, care and monitoring of multiple species (requiring different approaches).
  • Ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of all areas, including general areas, pens, aviaries, pools, treatment room, kitchen and storage areas, using if necessary specialised substances or equipment to an agreed standard.
  • Assist with the functionality and maintenance of all areas and facilities including general areas, aviaries, pools, pens, kitchen and storage areas. To support the improvement of these areas where necessary.
  • Where appropriately trained, to ensure the medication prescribed by local vets is correctly administered and to oversee the safe handling of drugs. This includes keeping accurate records of permissions given and calculations and administering correct dosages across all species.
  • To participate in, and contribute to, discussion in the formulation and continued improvement of all procedures.
  • In agreement with the Manager, identify animals in care that require moving to a different enclosure or animals that may be ready for release or adoption.
  • Assist with the releases of wildlife including the identification, surveying and preparation of release sites as well as the transportation of the animal to the release site.
  • Be prepared to train, induct and supervise vocational experience students and volunteers.
  • Represent the animal welfare units at team meetings where required.
  • Assist the Manager by carrying out risk assessments and safety audits and other health and safety duties as directed. Point out safety issues identified.
  • Contribute towards centre fundraising activities and delivery of educational talks.
  • Other duties as directed by the Manager.

Wadars staff are expected to

  • Be aware of the philosophy of Wadars and behave as a fit representative
  • Maintain good public relations and help to maintain a high profile for Wadars raising the public awareness of the importance of volunteers and donations to the continuance of the work of Wadars
  • Maintain regular and effective liaison with other members of the Animal Welfare Team and other staff and volunteers to ensure good working relationships
  • Meet agreed objectives, undertake an annual performance review and undertake training as required
  • Be flexible and willing to take on special projects or other reasonable duties as requested by your manager
  • While at work all staff are required to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts and omissions
  • To be aware of and comply with the requirements stated within the Charity Staff Handbook and other policies and operational procedures as issued from time to time

Additional information

  • This role offered on a part-time permanent basis.
  • The Charity operates a contributory pension scheme through Scottish Widows for eligible staff.
  • The Charity is unable to contribute towards the cost of relocation if this is necessary.
  • As part of the induction procedure for employment, we ask successful candidates to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire.
  • To comply with legal requirements, we ask all potential employees to prove their eligibility to work in the UK. No offer of employment will be made until eligibility to work in the UK has been verified.
  • Working at weekends and bank holidays will be a regular requirement of this role as animals must be cared for 365 days a year
  • From time to time the post holder may be required to drive a Wadars animal ambulance
  • The post holder needs to be aware that the role is physically challenging and emotionally demanding

Education and Training

  • Good standard of general secondary education
  • Minimum Level 2 qualification in an animal discipline is essential
  • Minimum 2 years proven experience in working in animal care is essential
  • Basic IT skills (Word, Excel, internet and email)

Qualities

  • Enthusiastic self-starter with the ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
  • Flexible, self-confident, reliable and able to work alone
  • Resilience to stress and emotionally strong
  • Ability to deal with all issues with tact and diplomacy
  • Calm when under pressure even when faced with confrontational situations
  • Honest and trustworthy

Experience and Skills

  • Excellent animal handling skills preferably gained in an animal welfare or animal charity-based establishment across a range of species
  • Field work skills such as identification of mammals and mammal tracks, and birds.
  • Wild animal handling, assessment and first aid skills
  • Experience of working with companion animals would be an advantage
  • Administration of medications and tube/crop feeding is desirable
  • Excellent communication (written and verbal) and customer care skills
  • Ability to assess and respond to challenging situations
  • Good organisation skills
  • Team player
  • Strong swimmer
  • Supervising and training of staff and/or volunteers is essential

Other requirements

  • Empathy for the work of Wadars and its values
  • High degree of emotional stamina and the ability to cope with animal euthanasia, cruelty and neglect
  • Willingness to undertake training as and when required including at other locations
  • Prepared to work flexibly including evenings and weekends, cover sickness and holiday periods, and overnight stays in the Centre.
  • Car driver with full clean driving licence is essential September 2022

How to Apply

Applications must be made on our application form returned by email to enquiries@wadars.co.uk. We do not accept CVs.

Any offer of employment will be subject to the receipt of at least two satisfactory references. Referees are people who can comment on your suitability for this position, other than a relative. Ideally this should be work (or volunteer) related to the post you are applying for. This must include your current or most recent employer or volunteer placement.

Closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 3rd October 2022. However, the Charity reserves the right to appoint before the closing date so early application is strongly encouraged.

Equal Opportunities

Wadars is committed to equal opportunities for all staff, volunteers and applicants. We believe that all staff, volunteers and supporters of Wadars should be treated with dignity and respect.

We aim to ensure that all who wish to work in, or volunteer to help with our Charity should have an equal chance to do so. It is our policy that all employment and volunteer decisions are based upon merit and the business needs of the Charity. Wadars does not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, health, sexuality, class, family status, means, ability, colour, ethnic origin, culture, religion, or belief.