At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for reptiles and other lower-order animals while ensuring their welfare and health.
- Company: Hamerton Zoo Park, a vibrant zoo dedicated to animal care and conservation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Engage with visitors and contribute to educational activities at the zoo.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a difference in animal welfare and conservation.
- Qualifications: Experience in animal care and a love for reptiles is essential.
The predicted salary is between 22500 - 23600 £ per year.
- Hamerton Zoo Park
- Cambridgeshire
- Closing date for applications is: 31st Aug 2026
Contact: Katherine Adams ( ) Sector: Animal Care Type: Paid Contract type: Full-time Salary: £22,500 - £23,600 (dependent on experience)
Role Purpose
The Reptile Keeper is responsible for the management, husbandry, and welfare of Hamerton Zoo Park’s lower-order animal collection, including reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.
This role plays a key part in maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, biosecurity, record-keeping, and public engagement, in line with current SSSMZP, BIAZA, and internal zoo standards.
As a member of the animal team, the post holder will contribute to the smooth day-to-day operation of the zoo.
Key Responsibilities
- Animal Care & Welfare
- Carry out daily husbandry, feeding, observation, and monitoring of reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates, including venomous species, large snakes, crocodilians, and other specialist taxa.
- Monitor animal health and behaviour, reporting concerns promptly and administering medications under veterinary guidance where required.
- Provide appropriate, species-specific enrichment and contribute to ongoing improvements in animal welfare.
- Assist with breeding programmes, animal movements, and habitat design as required.
- Enclosure & Collection Management
- Maintain enclosures and associated planted areas to the highest welfare, hygiene, and presentation standards, across all locations on site.
- Ensure all managed areas meet or exceed the standards and documentation required by the current SSSMZP and BIAZA guidelines.
- Support effective feed preparation, storage, stock control, and deliveries.
- Records, Compliance & Professional Standards
- Maintain thorough, accurate, and consistent records relating to animal care, health, breeding, and movements.
- Work in full compliance with Hamerton Zoo Park policies, risk assessments, and the employee handbook.
- Participate in inspections and audits as required.
- Teamwork, Supervision & Development
- Provide appropriate supervision and support for work experience students and volunteers, in line with safeguarding policies and workplace values.
- Assist with animal contact sessions when required, maintaining detailed knowledge of individual animals involved.
- Training, Learning & Development
- Actively engage in ongoing training and professional development to maintain current knowledge of best-practice husbandry.
- Proactively identify relevant training opportunities and present these to the Head Keeper for consideration.
- Public Engagement & Conservation
- Engage with visitors through talks, informal interactions, and educational activities, promoting understanding of reptiles, conservation, and the zoo’s work.
- Contribute to the zoo’s wider conservation, sustainability, and education objectives.
- General
- Undertake any reasonable task requested by your supervisor in support of zoo operations.
- Apply For This Job
- To apply for this role, please send your CV and a cover letter to
, for the attention of Katherine.
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Reptile Keeper in London employer: British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is an exceptional employer, offering a fulfilling role as a Storesperson at the iconic Edinburgh Zoo. With a strong commitment to wildlife conservation, RZSS fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing through generous benefits such as a competitive salary, extensive annual leave, and access to a healthcare plan. Employees also enjoy unique perks like free entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo, making it a rewarding place to grow professionally while contributing to a meaningful mission.
Contact Details:
British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Recruitment Team
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