• Be part of Victoria’s most recognised not-for-profit animal welfare organisations
• Exciting opportunities for an animal attendant with extensive horse experience
• Multiple casual positions at our Peninsula location working in our animal care team!

Are you experienced and enthusiastic about horses? Join our Animal Care team in Peninsula on a casual basis!

About RSPCA Victoria

RSPCA Victoria is a non-government, community-based, not-for-profit organisation whose vision is ‘ending cruelty to all animals’. We are Victoria’s best-known and most respected animal welfare organisation.

Our organisation’s purpose is to work with the community to achieve outstanding animal welfare through education, advocacy, and animal care and protection. RSPCA Victoria’s values - clarity and accountability, respect and consideration, and expertise and collaboration - set clear expectations for all our staff and volunteers.

About the role

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Animal Attendants (Horse) to join our Animal Care team in Pearcedale on a casual basis, who is willing to work on weekends. We have multiple casual roles for a experienced Animal Attendants, who has professional experience working with horses. 

The Animal Attendant (Horse) is responsible for the specialised provision of day-to-day care of horses at RSPCA Victoria, helping us to achieve the best possible welfare outcome for every horse in our care.

This diverse and interesting role will challenge and reward you by providing you with the following responsibilities and duties:

• Contribute to the daily management of horses in a professional and caring manner, including daily cleaning of stables and paddocks to ensure a clean and safe environment for the horses;
• Observe, document and report health and behaviour concerns of horses in our care;
• Ensure stable maintenance supplies are stored in designated locations when not in use;
• Ensure horses and livestock animals are being fed as per relevant feeding protocols;
• Provide basic equine first aid/follow-up care as needed;
• Monitor overall health and wellness of the horses in our care, including providing assistance to Veterinarians as required;
• Attend vet and farrier appointments and handling related concerns as needed;
• Provide supervision, guidance and support to volunteers, ensuring that they following operational and safety procedures at all times;
• Provide a high level of service to customers in the adoption, surrender and reclaiming of horses to enhance the reputation of RSPCA Victoria within the local community;
• Ensure all necessary documentation relating to the management of horses are recorded accurately and in accordance with RSPCA Victoria procedures and timeframes, including medical and behavioural records.

Key Selection Criteria

• Strong background knowledge in equine health, husbandry and wellness, including two years’ previous experience in horse care/stables within the Equestrian, Racing or other horse related industries;
• Good knowledge of horse anatomy, behaviour, safe handling and s basic disease recognition (such as colic, laminitis, etc);
• Ability to work in a fast paced and challenging work environment, whilst showing great care and compassion to the animals in our shelter;
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively in a team environment and communicating effectively with customers and colleagues;
• The ability to work rotating rosters including weekends and public holidays;
• Practical skills in caring for horses, including:
  • Picking up feet;
  • Administering oral wormers;
  • Identifying correct medications;
  • Dressing wounds (First Aid);
  • Leading/Haltering;
  • Loading onto crush;
  • Interpreting vet notes and documenting observations;
  • Creating feeding plans for emaciated/ ill horses based on body condition and health; and
  • Crowding horses at feed time.

What we can offer you

• A broad range of leave entitlements, including annual leave, personal leave, additional leave (6 days per year pro-rata), purchased leave, paid parental leave, study leave and paid family and domestic violence leave.
• Recognised by Mental Health First Aid Australia, as a skilled workplace - Access to a range of mental health and wellbeing supportive initiatives, including confidential counselling services and education programs
• Generous discount on products and services, including Royal Canin, Hush Puppies footwear and RSPCA Victoria retail and vet clinic products and services
• Salary packaging and novated lease arrangements on offer with leading provider, Maxxia.
• Access to a range of learning and development opportunities that will benefit and support you in your role

Qualifications and Recruitment Requirements

• Holds or is willing to complete a Certificate II in Animal Studies (or equivalent) will be highly regarded;
• Valid Victorian Driver’s License
• Current tetanus vaccination (or willingness to obtain one)
• Willingness to undergo a criminal history check

How to Apply

To learn more about our organisation and this job opportunity, please visit our website at www.rspcavic.org and download the Position Description attached to this advertisement for more details. Alternatively, please contact our Recruitment Team via [email protected] using the subject line: Animal Attendant - Horses enquiry via EthicalJobs.

If this role is of interest to you, submit your application with your cover letter and resume, addressing how you meet the selection criteria.

**Please note we are actively reviewing applications for this position, so if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible**

RSPCA Victoria is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and we strongly encourage people from all cultural backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are welcome to access RSPCA Victoria’s Diversity & Inclusion Policy here.