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- Tasks: Care for exotic Tropical Birds and engage with visitors at London Zoo.
- Company: Join ZSL, a leading conservation charity dedicated to wildlife protection.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal welfare while working in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for animals, teamwork skills, and ability to engage with the public.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a chance to contribute to conservation efforts.
The predicted salary is between 22700 - 30000 £ per year.
ZSL is looking for a dedicated Assistant Zookeeper to join the Tropical Birds section of our Animal Department at the iconic London Zoo, Regents Park. This exciting opportunity involves caring for an incredible range of Tropical Birds including Red Crested Turaco, Socorro Dove, Victoria Crowned Pigeon and Collared Trogon. As a vital team member, you will ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and husbandry, play an active role in enrichment and training programmes, and help create engaging experiences for visitors. You will work closely with the section manager, team leader, and colleagues, supporting all aspects of daily care and conservation efforts for these amazing species. This role is a full time position offered for a 6 month period, working 37.5 hours per week. As our zoos are open seven days a week, your schedule will follow a rota, which includes weekends and bank holidays. We aim to balance business needs with personal flexibility, so you’ll have advance notice of your shifts to help plan your time.
Key Responsibilities
- Husbandry and Enrichment: Contribute to the development of high standards of husbandry and welfare, developing innovative, enriching, and aesthetic enclosures with the team.
- Monitor animal welfare: Observe behaviour, health, and security, promptly reporting concerns to senior staff.
- Visitor Engagement and Safety: Provide a friendly, informative visitor experience while ensuring safety and acting as the point of contact in walk-through exhibits.
- Food Preparation: Preparation of approved diets and carrying out feeding procedures.
- Records and Daily Operations Support: Assist with ZIMS data entry and collaborate with animal-keeping staff to ensure accurate records and smooth daily operations.
About You
- Hands-on experience with animals and a keen interest in zoology and natural history.
- Reliable, professional, and able to work independently or as part of a team.
- Confident presenting keeper talks and engaging with visitors.
- Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors, in all weather, and indoors in warm conditions.
- Quick-thinking and safety-conscious, able to make decisions for both animals and visitors.
This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.
About Us
We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.
What We Offer
- Purpose driven work – join an organisation where every role contributes to creating a world where wildlife thrives.
- Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension.
- Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you.
- Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays (increasing with milestone anniversaries).
- Access to ZSL’s staff Equality Networks - Race & Culture, Team Pride, Disability, and Menopause, supporting an inclusive and welcoming workplace for those with lived experience.
- Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day.
- Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops.
- Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle.
- Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work.
- Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages.
We may close this role early or extend the closing date due to the number of applications we receive, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We anonymise applications until interview stage to ensure a fair hiring process. It’s important to highlight your unique skills, experience, and knowledge. Over reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of your application. If you have any questions about this role, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with our recruitment team at – recruitment@zsl.org
Assistant Zookeeper - Tropical Birds employer: British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Contact Detail:
British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Zookeeper - Tropical Birds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the zoo! Before your interview, spend some time at ZSL London Zoo. Familiarise yourself with the Tropical Birds section and learn about the species they care for. This shows your genuine interest and helps you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current zookeepers or volunteers on social media. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have. This insider knowledge can give you an edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for hands-on assessments! Since this role involves animal care, be ready for practical tests. Brush up on your animal handling skills and be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of animal welfare.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the ZSL team. Don’t wait too long; apply early to increase your chances!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Zookeeper - Tropical Birds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animals: When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share any hands-on experience you've had with animals, especially tropical birds, and why you're excited about this role at ZSL.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We want to understand your qualifications without having to sift through unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, it helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
✨Know Your Birds
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of tropical birds, especially those mentioned in the job description like the Red Crested Turaco and Victoria Crowned Pigeon. Being able to discuss their behaviours, habitats, and conservation status will show your genuine interest and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your hands-on work with animals. Whether it’s through volunteering, internships, or previous jobs, highlight how you’ve contributed to animal welfare and enrichment programmes.
✨Engage with Visitors
Since visitor engagement is a key part of the role, think of ways you can make interactions memorable. Prepare a short keeper talk or two about your favourite bird species, focusing on fun facts and conservation messages to share during the interview.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect practical scenarios during the interview where you might need to demonstrate quick thinking and safety awareness. Think about how you would handle various situations involving animal care or visitor safety, and be ready to articulate your thought process.
