Dog jobs in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea

Retail Sales Assistant – Pet & Aquatics
Animal Tracks Pet & Aquatics – Ashington
Part-Time | Minimum 20 Hours Per Week | Approximately 3 Days Per Week
Weekend Work Required

Animal Tracks is a busy, independent, family-run pet and aquatics store. We pride ourselves on high standards of animal welfare, specialist knowledge and excellent customer service.

We are looking for a reliable, knowledgeable and enthusiastic Retail Sales Assistant to join our team.

IMPORTANT: Existing practical knowledge of reptiles, aquatics AND birds is essential. These are mandatory requirements, not optional or preferred skills.

This is not a trainee position. Applicants must already have good working knowledge and hands-on experience across all three areas. An interest in animals, a qualification alone or a willingness to learn does not replace this requirement.

We provide training on our store procedures, but applicants must already have the animal-care knowledge needed for the role.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing customers with accurate nutritional, husbandry and general animal-care advice.
• Advising on reptile and aquatic setups, including heating, UVB lighting, filtration, water quality and suitable housing.
• Advising on appropriate bird housing, diets, enrichment and care.
• Daily feeding, cleaning, health checking and general husbandry of animals.
• Maintaining excellent animal welfare standards and promptly reporting concerns.
• Serving customers and operating the till.
• Handling customer enquiries in-store and over the phone.
• Replenishing stock and shelves.
• Maintaining a clean, organised and well-presented store.
• Following all health and safety procedures.
• Lifting and moving stock weighing up to 20kg.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum Level 2 Diploma in Animal Management or equivalent. Level 3 preferred.
• Reptiles: Practical knowledge of species-specific care, feeding, safe handling, enclosure setup, heating, temperature control and UVB lighting.
• Aquatics: Practical knowledge of fish care, aquarium setup and maintenance, water testing, filtration and species compatibility.
• Birds: Practical knowledge of daily care, appropriate diets, suitable housing, enrichment and safe handling.
• Confidence advising customers on animal care and suitable setups, while recognising when to seek further advice.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Reliability, punctuality and the ability to use your own initiative.
• Ability to multitask and remain organised in a busy retail environment.
• Confidence working independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to safely lift and move stock weighing up to 20kg.
• Availability to work weekends.

Previous employment within a pet shop, aquatics store, reptile shop or similar animal-care environment is highly desirable. Relevant experience may also come from substantial personal animal keeping, but the essential qualification and knowledge requirements must still be met.

Hours

• Minimum 20 hours per week.
• Approximately 3 days per week.
• Potential for additional hours for the right candidate.
• Weekend availability is essential.
• Current store opening hours are 10:00am–5:00pm and may be extended during the summer months.

What We Offer

• Friendly, supportive working environment.
• Weekly pay.
• Staff uniform.
• Staff discount.
• Full training on our store procedures.

How to Apply

Please apply with:

• Your current CV.
• Details of your relevant animal-care qualifications.
• A short statement explaining your practical experience with reptiles, aquatics and birds, including the species you have cared for and your responsibilities.
• A brief explanation of why you are interested in the position.

Closing date: 14 November 2026

Please only apply if you meet the essential qualification requirements and have practical knowledge of all three animal groups. Applications that do not demonstrate these requirements will not be progressed.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £10.15-£12.85 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Store discount

Application question(s):

• What practical experience do you have with aquatics? Please describe the fish and aquariums you have cared for, including your experience with water testing, filtration and aquarium maintenance.
• What animal-care qualifications do you hold? Please include the qualification title and level. A minimum Level 2 Diploma in Animal Management or equivalent is essential.
• What practical experience do you have with reptiles? Please name the species you have cared for and explain your experience with feeding, handling, heating, UVB lighting and enclosure setup.
• What practical experience do you have with birds? Please name the species you have cared for and explain your experience with their diets, housing, enrichment and safe handling.
• Can you work a minimum of 20 hours per week over approximately three days, including weekends? Please state any restrictions on your availability.

Education:

• Diploma of Higher Education (preferred)

Experience:

• animal managment: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• level 2/3 Animal management (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person