The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships. 

We have an opportunity for two self-motivated and flexible individual with outstanding interpersonal, collaborative and diplomatic skills to join our dedicated Estates and Facilities Team. As Facilities Support Officer, you will provide support in the management of premises, building, plant and equipment including security, maintenance and all other EFM soft services. This position works closely with the operational teams within the UK business operation, providing a professional service that offers guidance and advice to those on site, as and when required.

About you:

• A good understanding of all aspects of security, including site security and personal safety.
• Able to respond appropriately to emergencies or urgent issues as they arise, using initiative to problem solve in a professional and calm manner from learnt experience and make good decisions under pressure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Competent record keeping skills – able to provide accurate and timely reports on incidents, security checks and PPM inspection and testing.
• A working knowledge of the principles of Health & Safety and/or Fire Safety as they apply to the workplace and the implementation of safe systems of work.
• Manage and maintain personal safety by ensuring regular welfare checks are carried out.
• Competent IT Skills.
• Full, current and valid UK driving licence

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Ensuring that site security is maintained by following charity policies and procedures at all managed sites by foot and vehicle, securing and patrolling property, land, equipment and access points at regular intervals.
• Act as first point of call for EFM Issues and emergencies outside of working hours, escalating any issues and emergencies as per Charity Issues and Emergencies Support Guidance.
• Undertaking CCTV Monitoring.
• Assisting with the management of door entry systems including keys and padlocks.
• Responding to any activated intruder alarms, investigating and reporting cause.
• Providing professional operational support for onsite services including security, parking, escorting external contractors around site, assisting with deliveries, and other facility operational requirements.
• Responding to emergency situations and other urgent issues involving the safety and security of premises, staff and visitors, providing necessary assistance in a professional and calm manner.
• Carrying out frequent facility assessments, escalating any concerns (general lighting, window fasteners, heating, fire doors issues etc.).

What we offer in return:

Based in Sidmouth, East Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – these are part-time, 12-month fixed term contracts starting as soon as possible, working 16.30-21.30, 4 days on, 4 days off. Flexibility to work alternative work patterns is required. Additional hours may be available to cover staff leave and sickness.

Benefits:  

Competitive pension.

Life assurance.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.

Wellbeing team.

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.

Long service awards.

Healthshield plan –

• Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
• Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.

Before submitting your application, please ensure you read our candidate journey page, in particular our FAQs section – https://jobs.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/jobs/candidate-journey/