Animal Care Learning Support Technician

Wiltshire College & University Centre have an exciting opportunity for an Animal Care Learning Support Technician to join our team.

Location: Lackham, Wiltshire

Salary: £24,331 rising to £24,841 per annum (Professional Services Grade 4 & 4a)

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week, based on a 7-day rota, including weekends and bank holidays, 52 weeks per year.

Close Date: Monday 3rd November 2025

About Us:

Wiltshire College & University Centre plays a vital role in Wiltshire's economy, inspiring people to develop the skills they need to achieve. Our four main campuses are learning hubs in their communities, and we aspire to be an outstanding, financially robust, and commercially agile provider, achieving our clear social mission on behalf of learners and employers across Wiltshire and beyond. Our campuses deliver a diversity of facilities from the country estate and farm of our Lackham campus to new hi-tech digital and state of the art facilities at our Trowbridge, Salisbury, and Chippenham sites. We have invested £65 million in our estate over the past 10 years. Our turnover is £45 million per annum and growing, we employ some 650 staff, and support around 11,500 students.

Animal Care Learning Support Technician - The Role:

Do you have a passion for animal welfare and education?

Would you like to play a key role in shaping the next generation of animal care professionals?

At Wiltshire College & University Centre, our Animal Centre at Lackham is home to a diverse range of species — from small mammals and reptiles to primates and hoof stock. Our animals are at the heart of our teaching, helping students gain hands-on experience that prepares them for successful careers in the industry.

As part of the Animal Care team, you will work closely with lecturers and students to ensure the smooth running of practical sessions and the highest standards of animal welfare.

For at least 20% of your working week, you will take direct responsibility for specific animal collections within the Centre — overseeing their welfare, husbandry, and record-keeping in line with licence requirements and best industry practice.

Animal Care Learning Support Technician – Key Responsibilities:

Your duties will include:

• Supporting lecturers in the planning, setup, and delivery of practical lessons and assessments.
• Maintaining and improving animal enclosures and enrichment to promote welfare and engagement.
• Ensuring all equipment and resources are prepared and in working order for teaching sessions.
• Providing technical support to students, assisting with practical assessments and skills development.
• Keeping accurate inventories and records for animals, materials, and equipment.
• Promoting a safe, clean, and inspiring learning environment for both animals and students.

Animal Care Learning Support Technician – You:

You will bring a proactive, hands-on, and passionate attitude to animal care, thriving in a team environment and taking pride in maintaining exceptional welfare standards. You will feel confident working with a diverse range of species and comfortable guiding and supporting students in a learning setting.

You will ideally have:

• A Level 3 qualification (or above) in Animal Care or a related subject, or a willingness to work towards one.
• Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths (or equivalent).
• Relevant industry experience in animal husbandry, ideally across a variety of species (e.g. small mammals, reptiles, primates, hoof stock).
• A commitment to maintaining excellent standards of welfare, safety, and enrichment.

Animal Care Learning Support Technician – Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 30 days annual leave for Professional Services Staff, including bank holidays and additional closure days over the Christmas period
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Discounts with a wide variety of retailers
• Free onsite car parking

Application Process:

Wiltshire College & University Centre follows Safer Recruitment Guidance outlined by the Department for Education in 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'. This involves conducting enhanced DBS checks, including checks against the children's barred list, and other employment verifications, including an online presence review for shortlisted candidates.

We embrace diversity, recognising the valuable perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and cultures individuals from different backgrounds bring. Committed to safeguarding, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we pledge to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy and assess them based on their abilities.

To submit your application for this exciting Animal Care Learning Support Technician opportunity, please click 'Apply' now.

PLEASE NOTE:

Your Application Form will be shortlisted against how your skills, qualifications and experience match the Essential and Desirable points on the Person Specification for this role, located at the bottom of this page as a downloadable document.

Vacancies may close early if sufficient applications have been received; therefore, we would encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

INDLOW

Wiltshire College & University Centre stands as the largest provider of further and higher education in Wiltshire, significantly contributing to the local economy by equipping individuals with essential skills for success. Our diverse curriculum spans from Level 1 to Level 6, and we operate across four main campuses located in Trowbridge, Chippenham, Salisbury, and Lackham, which specialises in land-based education.

We offer a wide array of apprenticeships, along with full-time, part-time, and university-level courses. Notably, our Castle Combe circuit facility is the UK's first trackside motorsport engineering training centre, dedicated to our Motorsport Engineering programs.