Animal Care Instructor

Please note that this is a maternity cover role with an estimated end date of March 2027; this date may be subject to revision.

Derby College Group (DCG) is seeking an Animal Care Instructor to join our dedicated Animal Care team at our Broomfield Hall campus. This is a maternity cover role offering the opportunity to support students and contribute to the high‑quality provision within our Animal Care Unit.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to deliver high‑quality, nationally recognised animal care training across a practical learning environment. You will support students to develop industry‑standard husbandry and handling skills while ensuring exemplary animal welfare. The role involves delivering engaging training sessions, supervising practical activities, maintaining accurate records, and contributing to the smooth running of our animal care facilities. You’ll play a key part in helping students progress and achieve their full potential.

For a full explanation of the roles and responsibilities, please click here.

About You

You’ll be an organised and proactive individual with strong time‑management skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. With a Level 3 qualification in Animal Care and recent hands‑on experience working with animals, you’ll bring confidence in supervising students and maintaining high welfare standards. Strong communication skills, a professional approach, and competence with basic IT systems are essential, along with a willingness to travel as needed.

For a full explanation of the roles and responsibilities, please click here.

The Benefits

• 34 days holiday (inclusive of 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days where these occur)
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.9% employer contribution
• Discount at our Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ onsite Little Explorers Nursery
• TOTUM discount card (aka NUS/Student Discount Card) / discounted Tastecard
• Discounts on East Midlands Railway Annual Season Tickets
• Microsoft Office for FREE with 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage
• Discount on treatments at SENSI our onsite salon at the Roundhouse
• Flint Bishop Solicitors – free will writing, 1-hour free consultation with family department, 10% discount on Conveyancing services
• Continuous development and progression opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace which promotes and values diversity. We welcome all talent irrespective of age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. We ensure that our policies and procedures treat all applicants consistently and fairly during our recruitment process.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, reasonable adjustments, or about the role, please contact us at hrrecruitment@derby-college.ac.uk.

Safeguarding statement

DCG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.  An online search of the preferred candidate is also completed to help to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which the college may need to explore with the candidate further. Please be advised that it is an offence to apply for this position if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

If you require visa sponsorship

Please note that unfortunately, this role is ineligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system. Applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route. Please consult the Home Office website for further information.

Recruitment Agencies - We have a PSL of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list.

Job Description