At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for sea lions, deliver educational talks, and create memorable experiences for visitors.
- Company: Chessington World of Adventures, a fun-filled adventure park in Greater London.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, Merlin Annual Passes, company bonus, and discounts on LEGO and dining.
- Other info: Full-time role with opportunities for ongoing training and career development.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real difference in animal education and conservation.
- Qualifications: Experience in marine mammal training and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are recruiting for a Zookeeper for our Presentations team. The section cares for species including California sea lions, Humboldt penguins and a small display team of owls. The role focuses on sea lions and involves daily husbandry, positive‑reinforcement training, enclosure cleaning, diet preparation, record keeping, and site maintenance.
Other duties include planning, evaluating and executing environmental enrichment, delivering animal talks and demonstrations, and conducting activities to provide Adventurers with memorable educational experiences.
Full‑time, permanent, average 40 hours per week, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays as required.
Qualifications & Experience
- Demonstrable skills in positive reinforcement training
- Hands‑on experience in marine mammal training (highly desirable)
- Minimum of three years in a zoo environment
- DMZAA or equivalent qualification (desirable)
- Degree in Animal Science, Zoology, Biology or related field (preferred)
- Ability to stay focused and in control under pressure
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills
- Experience delivering animal talks and demonstrations
- Excellent time management, good organisational skills
- Possession of forklift licence, tractor certification and/or firearms experience would be advantageous
Benefits
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- ‘Enjoy the Ride’ Merlin Annual Passes – 6 per year (1 for you, 5 to gift)
- Merlin Magic Pass – 20 free tickets for you, family and friends; increases to 40 after a year’s service
- Company bonus
- Private pension scheme
- 40% discount online on LEGO
- 25% discount in on‑site retail shops and restaurants
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
Sea Lion Presentations Zookeeper & Educator employer: British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Chessington World of Adventures is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where passion for wildlife and education thrives. As a Zookeeper in the Presentations team, you will enjoy comprehensive benefits including generous holiday allowances, Merlin Annual Passes, and ongoing training opportunities, all while working in a dynamic environment that prioritises employee growth and memorable guest experiences.
Contact Details:
British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sea Lion Presentations Zookeeper & Educator
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! If you can, reach out to current zookeepers or educators at Chessington. A friendly chat can give us insights into the role and show our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! During interviews, share specific examples of your experience with positive reinforcement training and marine mammals. We want to see how you’ve made a difference in past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for practical assessments! You might be asked to demonstrate your training techniques or discuss how you’d handle certain situations with the sea lions. Practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Sea Lion Presentations Zookeeper & Educator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animals:When writing your application, let your love for marine mammals shine through! Share any hands-on experiences you've had with sea lions or similar animals, and explain why you’re excited about the role. We want to see your enthusiasm for educating others about these amazing creatures.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to detail your experience in a zoo environment, especially if you’ve worked with positive reinforcement training. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their skills, so don’t hold back on sharing specific examples of your past roles and responsibilities.
Tailor Your Application:Take the time to customise your application to match the job description. Use keywords from the listing, like 'enclosure cleaning' and 'animal talks', to show that you understand what we’re looking for. This will help your application stand out and show us you’re a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Chessington World of Adventures!
How to prepare for a job interview at British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
✨Know Your Sea Lions
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge about California sea lions and their behaviours. Being able to discuss their training methods and how you would apply positive reinforcement will show that you're not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the species you'll be working with.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since delivering animal talks and demonstrations is a key part of the role, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. You might even want to prepare a short presentation or talk about an animal you love, demonstrating your ability to engage an audience.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
The role requires excellent time management and organisational skills. Be ready to discuss how you've managed multiple tasks in previous roles, perhaps by sharing specific examples of how you prioritised duties during busy periods in a zoo environment.
✨Prepare for Pressure Situations
Working with animals can be unpredictable, so think of examples where you've stayed calm under pressure. Whether it’s dealing with a challenging situation or managing a busy day, showing that you can maintain control will impress the interviewers.
