Senior Animal Keeper – Carnivore Section in Colchester

The candidate will work within the Animal Department to carry out husbandry duties and maintain high standards of welfare for the animal species in their care. As a senior keeper, the candidate will be required to input ideas for the continual progression and development of animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section. Alongside more senior members of staff, the job holder will be responsible for mentoring and allocating work duties to junior employed staff members; qualified keepers and volunteers; student keepers and work experience students. The candidate will ensure safe working protocols and practices and have a good understanding of risk assessments. The job holder will deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors for a range of species across the section.

Main Job Purpose

• Provide excellent husbandry standards and welfare to a range of species
• Mentor and allocate work duties to junior members of staff and volunteers
• Ensure safe working practices across the animal section
• Deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors

Other key Activities

• Demonstrate commitment to continuous personal development
• Perform other duties as reasonably directed by the Animal Management Team (Zoological Director, Manager of Living Collections and Head Keeper)

Role Requirements

Husbandry Skills & Experience

• 4-7 years’ experience in a zoological collection including experience with category 1 carnivores.
• High standard of practical skill in animal husbandry, including training and enrichment.
• High standard of animal observation skills.
• High ability to develop animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section.
• Knowledge of ZIMS.
• Knowledge of zoo licensing and legislation.
• Skills in handling and restraint of various species.
• Confidence and ability in dealing with medical issues.
• Knowledge of water quality parameters and management for a range of species.
• Experience in operating filtration systems and life support systems.
• Knowledge of UV requirements for a range of species.

Team Work & Ability to Follow Instruction

• Ability to work in a team and contribute to team goals.
• Ability to harness positive relationships with all other team members regardless of level/section.
• Ability to follow instruction and carry out tasks at manager’s/senior staff member’s request.

Leadership & Mentoring

• Ability to mentor and allocate work duties to more junior employed staff members and volunteers.

Health & Safety

• Good understanding of risk assessments.
• Ability to ensure safe working practices at Senior Keeper level.
• Good understanding of zoo emergency procedures.
• Ability to manage risk in a zoo environment.
• Ability to develop safe working protocols.

Communication & Presentation Skills

• Proficient communication and presentation skills to deliver animal encounters and experiences.
• Good communication and presentation skills to deliver education sessions and media.

Skills & Experience

• Trained in manual handling.
• Computer literate with proficient knowledge of the major Microsoft Office programmes.
• Proficient written skills, including record keeping.
• Trained in working at height.
• Written skills, including proposals and protocols.
• Other DMZAA or equivalent qualification.
• Full driving licence.
• Ability to use own initiative to solve problems.
• Hard working and highly-motivated.
• Excellent punctuality and time keeping.
• Dependable and trustworthy.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Warm, open-minded and professional.
• Commitment to employment at Colchester Zoo.
• Firearms certificate.
• Ability and willingness to represent Colchester Zoo at external conferences.
• Ability and willingness to present at external conferences and lead internal training at Colchester Zoo.

Working Hours

This is a full-time position. An average of 40 hours a week (5 days) which will include regular weekend work and will increase in busy periods.

Uniform

Full uniform (including boots) will be provided. Full uniform must be worn at all times with a name badge.

Evaluation

For the first three months of employment, the jobholder will be asked to complete a one month and three month self-assessment. This will gauge their feelings of the job and assess their progress towards meeting targets.

Colchester Zoological Society is a non-smoking environment and smoking is not permitted by members of staff whilst on the premises. Colchester Zoological Society is an equal opportunities employer. You may be required to work offsite on animal transfers on occasion.

Whilst doing this job, the employee is likely to be exposed to:

• Category 1/1A animals
• Outside weather conditions
• Tropical exhibits with high temperatures
• Moving mechanical parts
• Toxic or caustic chemicals
• Lifting heavy loads

Benefits

• FREE Zoo visits
• FREE onsite parking
• Staff events
• Discounts on Animal Adoptions, Zoo Passes and Animal Experiences
• Discounts in the Outpost Gift Shop
• Discounts in food outlets
• 28 days annual leave (incl. Bank Holidays)
• Competitive hourly rate
• Uniform provided
• Regular training