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 proactive and flexible team players with outstanding interpersonal skills to join our Commercial and Onsite Activities department for the summer months as Visitor Services Assistant. The Visitor Engagement team is the first point of contact for visitors, providing a warm welcome, offering help, advice and information on all aspects of the Charity. Whether enjoying the new interpretation centre, exploring the wider sanctuary or finding out about our extensive worldwide work, you will be on hand to help visitors explore and discover everything we have to offer.

About you:

• Excellent customer service skills; which includes experience of dealing with enquiries and complaints from supporters/members of the public.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interact with visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
• Basic I.T. skills (proficient in Word, Outlook and Excel).
• Knowledge and genuine interest in the work of The Donkey Sanctuary.
• Full, valid UK Driving Licence.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Providing a warm friendly welcome, help and advice across all Visitor Engagement points, namely the Welcome Area.
• Ensuring that excellent customer service is a main priority, giving a warm welcome to all visitors and proactively engaging them in the charity at every opportunity.
• Informing visitors about the donkeys, advising visitors of the work of the charity, answering queries and advising on the new visitor facilities.
• Ensuring the Visitor Centre is well stocked with literature.
• Responding to face-to-face complaints and feedback, taking prompt and appropriate action to resolve any issues.
• Proactively promoting adopt-a-donkey to members of the public.
• Answering emails and telephone enquiries, booking visits, and entering new supporter information onto the database as required.

What we offer in return:

Based in Sidmouth, East Devon – an area of outstanding natural beauty – These are variable hours, fixed term contracts Starting on 1 July 2026 until 30 September 2026, working an average of 28 hours per week, five days over seven. Flexibility will be required for weekend working.

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, including – reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership, offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets and access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.
• Free parking.
• Subsidised restaurant and shop.

Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 10 May 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.