At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for California Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, and Great White Pelicans while delivering engaging talks.
- Company: Join the passionate team at Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park.
- Benefits: Earn £12.71 per hour with 28 days paid holiday and flexible hours.
- Other info: Work outdoors in all weathers and enjoy a dynamic, hands-on role.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal welfare and educate visitors about marine life.
- Qualifications: Experience with Pinnipeds and strong public speaking skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 26400 - 26400 £ per year.
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park is seeking a highly motivated and passionate individual to join our Animal keeping team on a full-time basis. The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for the daily husbandry and training of our California Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, and Great White Pelican.
We are looking for an experienced trainer to help grow and develop this section. You must be able to maintain high standards of animal welfare and husbandry, as well as carry out presentations, guest experiences, and training sessions.
Candidates Must Have:
- Experience working with Pinnipeds
- An in-depth understanding of operant conditioning
- Great public speaking skills, and be confident in delivering educational talks, presentations, and experiences to visitors
Candidates Must Be Able To:
- Maintain high standards of animal welfare and husbandry
- Undertake & record animal observations
- Maintain daily record keeping and have good verbal and written communication skills
- Work independently, as well as in a team environment
- Adhere to all the park's protocols and procedures
- Work outside in all weathers, be physically fit and a confident swimmer
- Work under their own initiative
- Carry out enclosure furnishing and maintenance
- Deliver excellent customer service
- Engage visitors throughout our open season, through our daily talks and interactions
Candidates Should Ideally Have:
- An animal-related qualification
- Two years’ paid experience working in an animal department within a zoo
- Experience with Life Support Systems
- Experience with environmental enrichment
- A full clean UK driving licence, due to our location
This full-time position is 40 hours in our summer season and 35 hours in the winter season. Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the business, including working weekends and bank holidays. This position will be paid at the rate of the national minimum wage. You will get 28 days paid holiday, split between our two seasons. There is also no accommodation available for this role.
Apply For This Job:
To apply for this position, applicants must email a CV and covering letter, highlighting your skills and experience, including why you believe you should be considered for this position, to headkeeper@cmwdp.co.uk. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK. Please use the job reference 'Animal Keeper - Pinnipeds' in the email title. Any applications through other channels will be disregarded. Successful candidates will be contacted via email to arrange an interview. Interviews will be held at the park and will involve a practical session as well as a formal interview. Cover letters should be no longer than 1 side of A4.
Pinnipeds & Pelican Keeper: Training & Talks employer: British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park is an exceptional employer for those passionate about animal care, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises animal welfare and visitor engagement. With opportunities for professional growth through hands-on experience and training, employees can thrive in a supportive environment while enjoying the beautiful South West location. The park fosters a sense of community among its staff, making it a rewarding place to develop your career in animal husbandry.
Contact Details:
British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pinnipeds & Pelican Keeper: Training & Talks
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the park and its animals! Before your interview, spend some time researching Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park. Familiarise yourself with their animal care practices, especially regarding pinnipeds and pelicans. This will show your genuine interest and help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your public speaking skills! Since you'll be delivering talks and presentations, it’s crucial to be confident in front of an audience. Try rehearsing your delivery with friends or family, or even record yourself to see where you can improve.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your experience! When you get the chance to talk about your background, highlight your hands-on experience with pinnipeds and any training techniques you've used. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your skills and knowledge.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to Louisa Bartlett. It’s a nice touch that shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Pinnipeds & Pelican Keeper: Training & Talks
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your experience with pinnipeds and your passion for animal care. Keep it concise, ideally no longer than one side of A4, and don’t forget to mention why you’re the perfect fit for this role.
Tailor Your CV:When applying, tailor your CV to showcase relevant experience, especially in animal husbandry and training. We want to see your skills in operant conditioning and public speaking, so make sure these stand out!
Follow Application Instructions:Be sure to follow the application instructions closely. Email your CV and cover letter to the specified address and use the job reference 'Animal Keeper - Pinnipeds' in the email title. This shows us you can follow directions!
Show Your Enthusiasm:Let your passion for animal care and education shine through in your application. We love candidates who are excited about engaging with visitors and maintaining high standards of animal welfare. Show us what makes you tick!
How to prepare for a job interview at British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
✨Know Your Pinnipeds
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of California Sea Lions and Harbour Seals. Understand their behaviours, needs, and training techniques, especially operant conditioning. This will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Show Off Your Public Speaking Skills
Since you'll be delivering talks and presentations, practice your public speaking skills beforehand. Prepare a short presentation about one of the animals you’ll be working with, and be ready to engage the interviewers as if they were visitors.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Highlight your ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Share examples from your past experiences where you collaborated effectively with colleagues or took the initiative to solve problems.
✨Prepare for Practical Assessments
Since the interview includes a practical session, be ready to demonstrate your animal husbandry skills. Familiarise yourself with the park's protocols and procedures, and think about how you would handle various scenarios involving animal care.
