Work Experience (Wildlife) (Degree Placement/Sandwich Year 2025/2026 RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre)

Join and support the West Hatch team as a wildlife assistant at one of the busiest wildlife rehabilitation centres in the country with almost 6000 admissions each year. Make a difference to the lives of our injured, sick and orphaned animals whilst gaining valuable experience and knowledge for future employment.

Start Date: To be confirmed (as dependent upon hours required)

End Date: To be confirmed but preferably students will stay during our busy summer season and not leave before 31st July 2026. Students can continue the placement after this date if required.

No of Positions Available During 2025/2026: x2

Placement Location: West Hatch Wildlife Centre, West Hatch, Taunton, Somerset TA3 5RT

Accommodation: None available - student will need to organise accommodation for themselves. Before applying, please note that we are a very rural centre that is not serviced by a regular bus route, so the ability to drive would be desirable.

At the RSPCA we’ve been at the forefront of animal welfare since 1824, where we were founded in a London coffee shop and we’re proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. With our new strategy ‘Together for Animal Welfare’ we want to improve the lives of more animals in England, Wales, and internationally than ever before.

To support your studies, the RSPCA offer work experience placements to students studying animal care and wildlife related subjects. In this role you’ll get first hand experience of the RSPCA’s vital wildlife welfare work, and the opportunity to practice some of the skills you have been learning. As a Wildlife Assistant, your role will involve the following :

• Admit, care for, prepare for release, release and monitor wildlife casualties according to the standard procedures and protocols of the centre.
• Accurately record information and assist in the collation of statistics.
• Carry out all care and rehabilitation procedures, as defined in the centre protocols, for the benefit of injured wildlife.
• Undertake duties according to the work position allocated on the staff/placement timetable, and assisting staff in other areas when these duties are complete or at any time under request from the Supervisor/Deputy Manager.
• Ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of all areas, including clinical areas, if necessary using specialised substances or equipment to a standard acceptable to the Supervisors and Veterinary Officer.
• Assist with the functioning and maintenance of all areas and facilities including holding rooms, aviaries, pools, and paddocks.
• Assist staff by identifying animals in care that require moving to a different enclosure or animals that may be ready for release.
• Assist with the releases of wildlife including the identification, surveying and preparation of release sites as well as the transportation of the animal to the release site.

There are opportunities available to also spend some time carrying out other roles within our domestic centre and our Education and Prevention team that are based here at West Hatch.

Health and Safety: While at work all staff are required to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts and omissions. Students are also required to co-operate with Society policies and procedures for health and safety. Health and safety training will be provided.

Holiday: To be discussed - dependent upon length of placement and any weekly commitments.

Work pattern: Our working days are either 8am to 4:45pm (early shift) or 12:45pm to 9:00pm. We are flexible and can offer a working pattern to support other paid work commitments. Length of placement can then be altered/increased to accommodate any such commitments.

Deadline for applications: ASAP or 31st March 2025. Interviews/Visits: During April 2025 (onsite or remotely)

Please note that if we receive many applications, we will close this opportunity before the closing date, so please apply as soon as possible.

What are we looking for in our students? Passion and commitment to the cause and an ability to work effectively in both a team or on their own. Experience is important but not essential.