Wildlife Assistant

Are you passionate about giving wild animals a second chance? We are looking for a dedicated Wildlife Assistant to join our team at West Hatch. This isn't just a job; it's a chance to be on the front lines of animal welfare, ensuring our native species get the care, rehabilitation, and freedom they deserve.

Joining our team means becoming part of a passionate, hands-on community. We work tirelessly to ensure every animal that comes through our doors has the best possible shot at a life in the wild. If you have a deep respect for British wildlife and the grit to handle the challenges of rehabilitation, you'll find a home here.

West Hatch works on a 12-week rolling rota, with shifts from either 08:00-16:00 or 13:00-21:00, including regular weekends and bank holidays.

Our recruitment journey - key dates for you to note: 

We believe in transparency and a stress-free experience. Here is a quick look at what you can expect.

• Application

You'll be asked a few targeted questions designed to help us understand your experience, unique skills, and future potential. This is your first chance to stand out!

• Panel Interview & Site Visit - w/c 23rd March

If your application hits the mark, we'll invite you to meet us in person. You'll sit down with the Hiring Manager and our Deputy Manager for a competency based interview and a tour of the site. We'll also be asking some scenario based questions on animal handling and would welcome your thoughts and discussion on the content. This stage is designed for you to:

• Explore the Role: Get a feel for the team culture and the real-world impact you'll be making.
• Demonstrate Your Strengths: Show us how you work in a supportive, relaxed environment.

No two days are the same when you're working with wildlife, but you can expect to be at the heart of the action. Your daily tasks will include:

• You'll admit new casualties, provide first aid, and monitor the progress of animals across a huge variety of species.
• Under the guidance of our vets, you'll administer medications, calculate dosages, and ensure every animal is receiving the specific treatment it needs.
• You won't just be in the clinic; you'll help identify and survey release sites, transport animals, and even assist with field research like radio-tracking.
• You'll maintain the highest standards of hygiene in our aviaries and treatment rooms, ensuring a safe and sterile environment for recovery.
• You'll help supervise our passionate volunteers and vocational students, sharing your knowledge to inspire the next generation of wildlife advocates.

Essential

• Previous experience in wild animal care (ideally within a welfare or charity setting) and a solid grasp of wild animal handling.
• You can remain calm under pressure, work effectively without constant supervision, and stay flexible as priorities shift.
• Good interpersonal skills for working within a multidisciplinary team and clear written skills for accurate record-keeping.
• Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider team.
• Full manual Driving licence

Desirable:

• Experience supervising and working with volunteers

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible

We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed to our mission. For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family!

We're here to support you and encourage you to let us know if you need any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please feel free to contact us at resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk or 0300 123 0685 so we can ensure the process works for you.