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 excellent opportunity for a  Groundworker to join our team based at Weston farm. You will carry out a range of groundworks in support of new build projects and existing buildings along with farm infrastructure across the Charity’s sites, ensuring all work is completed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

About you:

• Time-served groundworker with a recognised qualification in groundworks, civil engineering, construction operations, or a related trade.
• Proven hands-on experience in groundworks, including drainage, concreting, kerbing, paving, excavation, and general civil engineering tasks.
• Competent in operating plant and machinery (e.g., excavators, dumpers, rollers) and able to demonstrate safe and compliant working practices.
• Strong ability to plan and organise work, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and within agreed timeframes.
• Demonstrate good customer service and professionalism, especially when working on domestic or public-facing sites.
• Willingness to undertake additional training and certifications, such as NPORS/CSCS/CPCS or other relevant tickets.
• Full current valid UK driving licence.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Carryout concreting works including the preparation and finishing of yards, floors, pathways, and roadways, ensuring correct levels, gradients, and surface quality are achieved.
• Constructing and casting foundations for a range of structures, following technical specifications, drawings, and site requirements.
• Installing below‑ground drainage systems, including both foul and surface‑water pipework, chambers, and associated infrastructure, ensuring correct falls, alignment, and connection integrity.
• Creating new farm tracks and undertaking repairs to existing access routes used by vehicles and donkeys, ensuring surfaces remain safe, durable, and fit for purpose.
• Applying floor screeds to achieve accurate levels, smooth finishes, and appropriate preparation for final floor coverings.
• Setting out and levelling sites, using appropriate equipment to establish accurate reference points, markers, and working lines.
• Working in full compliance with Health & Safety legislation, including following approved method statements, risk assessments, and RAMS to ensure safe working practices at all times.
• Planning and organising own workload, estimating material quantities, identifying resource requirements, and raising requisitions to ensure tasks can be completed efficiently and without delay.

What we offer in return:

Based in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this is a full-time, permanent contract, working 37.5 hours per week, 07.30 – 16.00, Monday – Friday.

Benefits:  

Competitive pension.

Life assurance.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with 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.

Closing date for completed applications: Tuesday 14^th April 2026.

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.