Agricultural Research Council Animal Attendant Vacancies

Agricultural Research Council Invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for their Animal Attendant Vacancies. The closing date for applications is 08 April 2026.

If you enjoy working with animals, being outdoors, and staying active, then this opportunity might be exactly what you are looking for. But before you get excited, you need to know — this job is physically demanding and requires real commitment. It is not a desk job. It is for people who are ready to work hard every day.

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Why This Job Is Different From Others

Most jobs keep you inside an office, sitting for hours. This one is the complete opposite. As an Animal Attendant, you will spend your time outside, working directly with animals and helping with farm activities.

This role is important because it supports research and farming operations that help improve agriculture in South Africa. That means your work will contribute to something bigger than just a paycheck.

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What You Will Be Doing Every Day

This job involves a variety of tasks, and no two days are exactly the same. You will be responsible for taking care of animals and maintaining the farm environment.

Taking Care of Animals

• Feed animals daily
• Make sure they always have clean drinking water
• Monitor their health and well-being

Cleaning and Hygiene

• Clean animal housing every day
• Remove waste regularly
• Clean water troughs weekly

Keeping the environment clean is very important for animal health.

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Working With Animals Hands-On

You will also assist with important animal care tasks such as:

• Ear tagging
• Dehorning
• Castration
• Vaccinations
• Blood sampling and treatments

Do not worry if you have not done all of these before — you will learn on the job, but you must be willing to do them.

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Farm Maintenance Duties

This role also includes general farm work, such as:

Fencing and Land Care

• Inspect fences daily
• Help repair broken fences
• Assist in building new fences

Fire Prevention

• Create fire breaks
• Help control veld fires when needed

General Work

• Assist with garden maintenance
• Help with any extra tasks required by the organisation

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Equipment and Physical Work

You will also be expected to:

• Drive a tractor
• Load and offload heavy items like bales and feed bags

This means you must be physically strong and ready for hard work.

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What You Need To Apply

Before applying, make sure you meet the requirements below.

Education

• Matric (Grade 12) is required

Licence

• A valid driver’s licence is required

Skills and Experience

• Experience handling both large and small farm animals
• Ability to work long hours outdoors
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work well with others

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Important Things You Must Be Ready For

This job comes with responsibilities that not everyone can handle.

• You must be physically fit and healthy
• You must be able to work weekends and public holidays
• You must be available during festive periods (including Christmas)
• You must be comfortable working in different weather conditions

If you prefer easy or relaxed work, this job may not be suitable for you.

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The Type of Person They Are Looking For

To succeed in this role, you need to be:

• Hardworking and reliable
• Comfortable working with animals
• A team player
• Willing to learn and follow instructions
• Responsible and safety-conscious

If you enjoy farm life and do not mind getting your hands dirty, this could be a great fit.

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What You Can Gain From This Job

Even though the work is tough, there are many benefits.

Real Experience

You will gain valuable experience in:

• Animal care
• Farm management
• Agricultural work

Career Growth

This job can open doors to roles such as:

• Farm Supervisor
• Animal Technician
• Agricultural Assistant

Stable Employment

This is a permanent position, which means long-term job security.

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Why You Should Apply Before It’s Too Late

The closing date is 08 April 2026, and late applications will not be accepted. Many people miss opportunities like this because they wait too long.

If you meet the requirements, apply now to avoid disappointment.

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How To Apply

To apply, you must submit:

• A completed application form
• A detailed CV
• Certified copies of your certificates
• A copy of your driver’s licence
• Supporting documents
• At least three contactable referees

If you have foreign qualifications, include a SAQA evaluation report.

Incomplete applications will not be considered, so make sure everything is correct before submitting.

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Important Notes You Should Know

• If you do not hear back within 4 weeks after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful
• The job includes a 6-month probation period
• Employment will depend on passing security checks and assessments
• The organisation follows Employment Equity guidelines

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This Animal Attendant job at the Agricultural Research Council is a great opportunity for someone who loves working with animals and does not mind physical work. It is not easy, but for the right person, it can be a rewarding and stable career path.