Trainee Keeper

Location: Wildwood Kent, Herne Common, Kent, CT6 7LQ

Contract: 0.2 FTE (1 day per week), fixed term (6-month contract)

Reports To: Head of Section

Summary: This role sits within our team of keepers, responsible for the daily monitoring and general welfare of all species in our care, completing documentation as required, reporting concerns, and supporting the work of our vision, mission and values.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of high standards of husbandry and welfare, feeding in line with approved diets and correct feeding procedures, and support the development of innovative, enriching and aesthetic enclosures with the team.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene, equipment care and housekeeping as part of routine duties.
• Comply with all health and safety protocols and documentation, including emergency procedures, risk assessments and safe working practices.
• Assist with the completion of comprehensive animal welfare audits.
• Participate in husbandry training, enrichment, veterinary interventions and other relevant animal-related procedures as required.
• Develop knowledge by liaising with experienced colleagues or those with specific knowledge of different species in the park.
• Support conservation projects through monitoring, release, and conservation breeding as directed.
• Enhance the visitor experience through positive engagement with guests to the park and giving keeper talks / Q&As / visitor animal experiences as required.
• Support broader Wildwood activities such as late evening / weekend functions, animal encounters, PR photo calls/filming, VIP encounters, Keeper for a Day, and other Wildwood events.
• Accurately input animal records and data onto daily record sheets and the ZIMS database.

The Working Week:

Your working week will be varied and busy, with no two days the same. Priorities will be the husbandry and welfare of the species in our care, accurately completing all necessary paperwork, and collaborating with colleagues to ensure the smooth running of the department. You will need to be consistently respectful of safe working practices and maintain the highest possible standards in all areas of your role. Core working hours are 08:00 to 16:00 in winter and 08:00 to 17:00 in summer. You are entitled to an unpaid break of 30 minutes in the morning and an unpaid break of 30 minutes for lunch every day on which your working hours exceed six hours. This post is averaged at 7.6 hours per week over 1 day. The job will involve overtime, including some evening, weekend and bank holiday working as part of your normal duties. You may be required to occasionally travel between parks.

Health, Safety & Wellbeing:

This job involves undertaking duties which include the following health, safety and wellbeing considerations:

• Use of machinery / tools
• Repetitive limb movements
• Lone working
• Working with Category One animals
• Use of company vehicle

Mandatory Training For This Role:

• Manual Handling
• Equality & Diversity
• Safeguarding Awareness
• GDPR / Data Protection Awareness
• Fire Safety Awareness
• Ladder Safety
• First Aid
• Animal Escape

Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience:

All Wildwood staff are passionate, committed, and resourceful. To succeed in this specific role, you will be proactive, keen to learn, and a great team player.

Essential:

• Practical experience of animal care to a high standard.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry processes and best practice.
• Confidence to carry out tasks independently, whilst also having the ability to follow instructions accurately and safely.
• Previous experience working collaboratively within a team.
• Ability to retain excellent attention to detail whilst working in a busy environment.
• A diligent approach with the ability to follow protocols and work within organisational policies.
• A respectful attitude towards all matters of Health & Safety, taking accountability for your own and that of others around you.
• Demonstrate a genuine love of British wildlife and belief in Wildwood’s Mission; to protect, conserve, and rewild British wildlife.

Desirable:

• A relevant Animal Management qualification.
• An understanding of animal handling, as may be necessary for veterinary procedures.
• Confidence in public speaking and camera work, as some social media work may be required.

Why Work for Wildwood:

Wildwood is a native species conservation charity established in 2002 to push the boundaries of innovative conservation and rewilding. We work with nature to fight the biodiversity crisis, to halt the extinction of species and to create resilient habitats in which nature thrives. We focus on nature-based solutions to return native species and recreating truly wild spaces. Wildwood has a proud culture of respecting and valuing all colleagues. Our people are integral to our success; their expertise enables us to achieve our ambitions, their professionalism creates strong collaborations, and their integrity upholds our organisational values.

Employment Package:

• Annual salary of £5,037.
• Annual leave allowance of 6 days a year, including statutory holidays.
• Inclusive and family-friendly working policies.
• Training & development opportunities.
• Selection of staff benefits including discounts.
• Free or reduced price entry to BIAZA accredited zoos and aquariums.

How to Apply:

We are looking for a Saturday keeper to support our weekend team (one day per week). To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to jobs@wildwoodtrust.org.