Small Animal Presenter

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**JOB TITLE**: Small Animal Petting Sessions Handler /Presenter

(Weekends and Bank Holidays)

**EMPLOYER**: Acorn Venture Association

**LOCATION OF WORKPLACE**: Acorn Farm

Depot Road

Kirkby

Merseyside

L33 3AR

**RESPONSIBLE TO**: Directly to the Weekend Manager

**RESPONSIBLE FOR**: Running the “hands-on” small animal petting sessions at Acorn Farm.

**MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Ensuring all animals needed for the petting sessions are brought to the pavilion.
- Ensuring all animals have sufficient food, water and bedding for the time they will spend in the area
- Checking entrance tickets and admitting visitors to the pavilion.
- Giving an introductory talk to include:

- Health and Safety Issues
- Animal Welfare Issues
- Introducing each animal group including information on handling.
- Allowing visitors to handle, stroke, feed and groom the animals.
- Answering questions on the animals.
- Returning all animals to their night time fields at the end of the day.
- Cleaning pens, hutches as needed.
- Keeping petting area clean, tidy and free from hazards.
- Informing Weekend Manager immediately of any animal health issues.
- Completing the weekend link book
- Supervising volunteers
- At end of the day assisting weekend manager with general site duties e.g. putting animals away, litter picking, securing the farm site etc.
- Maintaining appropriate Health & Safety standards by following the Policies and Procedures as detailed in the Health & Safety Manual, Health & Safety Guidance Notes and Employee Safety Handbook, to include all relevant Risk Assessments, Hazard Reporting and use of correct PPE by staff and trainees.
- Safeguarding the property of the Association as entrusted to your care.

In addition to the responsibilities listed, the post holder is required to perform any reasonable duties that may be requested from time to time.

**ADDITIONAL DUTIES**:
To attend relevant training, staff supervision and staff development reviews.

**CONFIDENTIALITY**

Acorn Farm recognises the great importance of confidentiality in the professional practice of its staff and in its administrative procedures. Information clearly intended for one purpose should not be used for another without the sanction of the service user, staff member or person supplying the information. The only exceptions are where there is clear evidence of serious danger to the service user, staff member or other person(s) or where legislation requires release of the information. All staff are required not to divulge any information, verbal or written, to any external source that could be damaging to the company’s reputation or commercial viability.

**CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU (CRB)**

**EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES**

Acorn Farm aims to provide high quality services within the resources available. In order to fulfil this aim most effectively it operates a policy of equal opportunities to ensure that no service user, job applicant, employee or voluntary worker is discriminated against either directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, race, colour, nationality, religion, cultural group or national origin, marital status or whether they are disabled people, lesbian or gay men.

**HEALTH & SAFETY**

All employees are responsible for taking reasonable care of themselves and other who may be affected by their work. Everyone working within Acorn Farm is bound by Health & Safety legislation and must adhere to safe systems of work.

**ACORN POLICIES**

All employees are required to implement and follow Acorn Farm’s policies and procedures and undergo any training associated with them.

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**TERMS & CONDITIONS**:
**SALARY**: £12.04 per hour

**HOURS**: Summer Hours - 9.30 am - 4.30pm [March to Sept]

Winter Hours - 10 am - 4 pm

With ½ hour unpaid lunch break

To include the following Bank Holidays - Good Friday, Easter Monday, the first bank holiday in May, the last Monday in May and the last Monday in August

**HOLIDAYS**: 11 days per annum

**Mobile phones should be switched to silent during working hours and should only be used in an emergency.**

**PERSON SPECIFICATION SMALL ANIMAL HANDLER**

**Requirements that are essential or desirable and the method they will be assesed.**

**Education/Qualifications**
- Good standard of written and spoken English (GCSE Level English Language or Equivalent ]- Essential
- NVQ in Animal Care
- Desirable

**Experience**
- Proven animal handling experience-Essential
- Working with children-Essential
- Working with people with disabilities-Desirable
- Working with the general public-Desirable

**Knowledge, Skills, Abilities**
- Good working knowledge of animals-Essential
- Excellent communication skills -Essential
- Flexible approach to work -Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team -Essential
- Ability to work on own initiative, organise and plan work load -Essential
- Understanding and awareness of equal opportunities principles -Essential
- Positive appr