Yard Worker

About ARU:

ARU is a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. ARU holds a Gold award for the quality of its education, awarded through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

ARU’s research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields.  We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities.  Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK’s Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world leading. We are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England, and we are also among the UK’s leading universities for degree apprenticeship provision, working with hundreds of employers across the UK.

At our ARU Writtle campus, we specialise in animal, environmental, agricultural and horticultural courses, for learners aged 16 to 18, adult learners, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

About the Role:

Under the leadership of our Head of Equine Resources, we are seeking an individual to support the operation of our busy Equine Resources Department, with a particular focus on horse care and the upkeep of our top-class facilities.

You will be confident and competent around horses, working closely with senior yard staff to deliver the highest standards of equine care in line with BHS standards. On a daily basis, you will undertake all general stable duties, including mucking out, feeding, grooming and preparing horses for student practical sessions. You will also be involved in schooling horses, both under saddle and from the ground. The role additionally includes maintaining fencing and grazing land using agricultural machinery, as well as undertaking general maintenance tasks such as weeding, tidying and mowing.

You will have either a range of GCSEs at grades A–C (or equivalent) or a vocational qualification at NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent). Strong communication skills and a collaborative, team-focused approach are essential, along with the ability to work independently and use your own initiative without close supervision.

Due to the nature of the role, you must hold a full driving licence and be able to drive non-HGV horseboxes. The ability to drive tractors and trailers is desirable but not essential.

On-the-job training, including progression through the BHS Stages, is available for the right candidate.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dan Cook, Head of Equine Resources, at Dan.cook@aru.ac.uk 

Interviews for this role are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 15 July.

Find out more about working with us and how we recruit.

We have an agile working culture and offer an extensive range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement, occupational pension schemes, training and development opportunities, travel to work scheme and a competitive relocation package. Visit our benefits page for full details.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that ARU will carry out online searches as part of the due diligence on short listed candidates.

All appointments at ARU Writtle are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced criminal records with Children’s Barred List check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information can be obtained from https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check. Shortlisted candidates will be required to disclose any prior disciplinary action or investigation related to sexual misconduct or abuse.  

This role is considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

We value diversity at ARU and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We have a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK and will conduct Right to Work checks in line with UKVI’s Right to Work policy and our own institutional policy. Furthermore, we must note: 

• Applicants applying from outside the UK: At this time, ARU is unable to sponsor applicants applying from overseas for a Worker Route visa.
• Applicants already in the UK: ARU is unable to offer Worker Route visa sponsorship to applicants whose salary does not meet our minimum sponsorship threshold, which aligns with roles at Grade 6 and above.

Committed to being inclusive and open to discuss flexible working. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications.

Guidance Notes: 

Please download the Job Description Person Specification for key requirements. To apply, demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the criteria.