Animal Keeper x 2 (8-week contract)

RZSS – Edinburgh Zoo

Scotland Closing date for applications is: 5th Aug 2025

The role

With direction from your Team Leader and Senior Keeper, perform all assigned duties to ensure the smooth running of the allocated animal section/project, aiming to optimise the quality of animal welfare and to deliver or support delivery of an innovative and creative programme of live animal interactive activities to engage and excite visitors in support of RZSS’ vision and mission.

2 x fixed-term roles within our Experiences team.

Some of the things you’ll do:

• Engage with and support visitors, ensuring your message is consistent with team objectives and in line with RZSS’ mission and vision whilst providing first-class customer care and service, e.g. answering visitor queries and undertaking public talks, tours and Keeper for a Day experiences.
• Support delivery of all aspects of an agreed range of the Animal Engagement and Interaction Programme, e.g. Keeper experience, animal shows and encounters, daily talks and events, and contribute to its further development.
• Help to ensure animal welfare, husbandry and management is of the highest standard, taking into account relevant legislation and best practice animal management.
• Contribute to enclosure design, maintenance, enrichment and enclosure furnishing to ensure it meets all the needs of the animal and is presentable to the public, e.g. positive visitor engagement and suggest ideas for development to team manager.
• Collate and record detailed and accurate animal records via daily record sheets in relation to the good management of the animal collection and animal training, and to ensure accurate data (e.g. weigh, behaviours, births, deaths and treatments received) can be input to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS).

What we’re looking for:

• You’ll have a good level of education at standard grade or equivalent qualifications (including English, Mathematics and Sciences)
• First-class customer service, e.g. interpersonal skills and ability to engage with the public
• Can demonstrate an interest in animals with some practical experience in a zoo or animal-related environment For further information on what the role involves and essential/desirable criteria – please see the ‘related documents’ section under the site location map.

What you’ll get in return:

• 37.5 hr working week on a fixed term basis (includes weekend working)
• 34 days annual leave (pro rata)
• Access to a healthcare plan
• Employer contributory pension scheme
• You will receive a staff membership which will give you (and family/friends) free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoos across the UK.

Shortlisting of applications and interviews for this position will take place while the advert is live; the advert will close once a successful candidate has been found. Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as quickly as possible.

Interviews are expected to take place on 13 and 14 August 2025.

Apply for this job:

For further information and details on how to apply please visit

BIAZA\’s office hours are 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Contact outside of those times will get a response when we are next in the office.

If your enquiry is urgent and you need a response before the BIAZA office reopens, please call Jo Judge on 07593 580602. If you wish to reach one of our members, please contact them directly.

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales number 6789783.Registered Office Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY. Registered Charity Number is 1128168 and SC040783 (Scotland)

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