At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for animals, support student learning, and maintain high welfare standards.
- Company: Bishop Burton College, a leading land-based college with a passion for animal welfare.
- Benefits: 40 days leave, local government pension, free parking, and health cash plan.
- Other info: Join a supportive team in a beautiful rural environment with excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference to animals and inspire the next generation of animal care professionals.
- Qualifications: Experience in animal care and enthusiasm for teaching students.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
We are looking for a passionate and dedicated Animal Keeper who is committed to delivering the highest standards of animal welfare while helping to inspire the next generation of animal care professionals. This role would suit someone currently working within a zoo, wildlife park, kennels, rescue centre, farm park, educational animal unit or other animal care environment, who is now looking to take the next step in their career within an educational setting.
You will be confident working with a wide range of species, experienced in practical animal husbandry, and enthusiastic about supporting students during practical learning activities. Based within our specialist Animal Management department, you will play a key role in the day‑to‑day operation of the animal unit, supporting feeding, enrichment, health monitoring, enclosure maintenance and maintaining exceptional welfare standards across the department. You will also work closely with academic staff to help provide engaging, hands‑on and industry‑focused learning experiences for students.
Bishop Burton College offers a unique opportunity to combine industry experience with education, working as part of a supportive and knowledgeable team that is passionate about student success, practical learning and animal welfare. Our specialist facilities, diverse animal collection and strong industry links make Bishop Burton an exciting and rewarding place to work.
If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference to both animals and young people while developing your career within one of the UK’s leading land‑based colleges, we would love to hear from you.
Bishop Burton College promotes equality, diversity and inclusion ensuring fair treatment, representation, and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or characteristics. We see this as essential for creating inclusive environments and fostering innovation and creativity.
In addition to working in a beautiful rural environment, you will benefit from the following:
- Local Government Pension Scheme - This is a defined benefit scheme with generous employer contributions
- 40 days leave including 25 days annual leave, concessionary days and bank holidays, all leave is pro‑rata for staff employed on a part‑time contract
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free car parking
- A range of on‑site catering facilities
- Optional health cash plan
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounted gym membership at the on‑site gym
- Dedicated health and wellbeing programme
- Free will writing service
- Generous sick pay and compassionate leave scheme
- Enhanced maternity/adoption pay
- Free eye tests for DSE users
- 15% Discount on Tickets at East Yorkshire Buses
The college does not hold a sponsorship licence so therefore this post is not open to candidates who require sponsorship under the UK’s points‑based immigration system. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff to share this commitment. As this is a position of trust, the successful candidate will be required to disclose any criminal convictions and will be subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), barring (where applicable), reference, qualification and health checks. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The College is an equal opportunities employer.
Animal Keeper employer: Bishop Burton & Riseholme College
Bishop Burton College is an exceptional employer for those passionate about animal care, offering a unique blend of industry experience and educational impact within a supportive team. With a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, employees enjoy generous benefits such as 40 days leave, a Local Government Pension Scheme, and a dedicated health and wellbeing programme, all set in a beautiful rural environment that fosters both personal and professional growth.
Contact Details:
Bishop Burton & Riseholme College Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Animal Keeper
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the animal care industry, whether it's through social media or local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Get hands-on experience! If you’re currently working in a zoo or rescue centre, volunteer for extra responsibilities or projects. This shows your commitment and passion for animal welfare, which is exactly what we’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to animal care. We suggest you come up with examples from your experience that highlight your skills in husbandry and student engagement. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Bishop Burton College.
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Keeper
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for animal care shine through! Share your experiences and what drives you to work with animals, especially in an educational setting. We want to see that you’re not just qualified, but genuinely excited about the role.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Animal Keeper position. Highlight relevant experience from zoos, wildlife parks, or any other animal care environments. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission of inspiring the next generation of animal care professionals.
Be Specific About Your Skills:In your application, be specific about your practical skills in animal husbandry and welfare. Mention any particular species you’ve worked with and your experience in health monitoring and enclosure maintenance. This helps us understand how you can contribute to our team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our supportive and knowledgeable team at Bishop Burton College.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bishop Burton & Riseholme College
✨Know Your Animals
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the various species you'll be working with. Familiarise yourself with their behaviours, dietary needs, and any specific care requirements. This will not only show your passion for animal welfare but also demonstrate your readiness to engage with students about these topics.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your hands-on experience in animal husbandry. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed animal care tasks or contributed to a team. Highlighting your practical skills will reassure the interviewers that you're capable of maintaining high welfare standards.
✨Engage with Educational Aspects
Since this role involves supporting students, think about how you can make learning engaging. Be ready to share ideas on how you would facilitate practical learning activities. Showing enthusiasm for teaching and mentoring will set you apart as a candidate who is not just about animal care but also about inspiring the next generation.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication
This position requires collaboration with academic staff and other team members. Prepare examples of how you've worked effectively in a team setting, especially in high-pressure situations. Good communication skills are key, so be sure to convey your ability to work well with others while maintaining a focus on animal welfare.
