Department Animal Care Team
Location Colchester Zoo
Employment Type Full time
Hours Per Week 40 hours per week
Salary £34,008 per annum
Closing Date 9th October 2026
Introduction to the Department
An exciting position has arisen for an experienced Deputy Team Leader to join our team and contribute to our mission at Colchester Zoo in a full-time role working within our Familiar Friends section; a mixed taxa section responsible for meerkats, rainbow lorikeets, Aldabra tortoises, koi carp, invertebrate species, and domestic and companion animals.
Role Responsibilities
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 Deputy Team Leader, 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 the section’s Team Leader, the job holder will be responsible for mentoring and managing more junior employed staff members; lead keepers, senior keepers and qualified keepers, and volunteers; student keepers and work experience students. The job holder will also be responsible for deputising to the Team Leader and leading the section in their absence.
The candidate will ensure, and be able to develop, safe working protocols, practices and risk assessments for working in and around the species on the section.
The job holder will deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors for a range of species across the section, as well as deliver educational husbandry content to visiting college groups. The candidate will also look to lead internal zoo subcommittees, where appropriate, and be willing to represent, and present, at external conferences on behalf of CZS.
Main Job Purpose:
- Provide excellent husbandry standards and welfare for a range of species
- Manage employed and voluntary members of the animal section and lead the section in the Team Leader’s absence
- Produce safe working practices across the animal sectionDeliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors, educational groups and for social media
- Represent CZS in external settings where required
Other Key Activities:
- Demonstrate commitment to continuous personal development.
- Perform other duties as reasonably directed by the animal section’s Team Leader and the Animal Management Team (Zoological Director, Animal Manager, Manager of Living Collections and Head Keeper)
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Deputy Team Leader – Familiar Friends Section in Colchester employer: El Bichólogo
As a leading conservation employer, we are dedicated to protecting Scotland's vital wildlife habitats while fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our training and development focus, alongside benefits like flexible working hours and generous parental leave, making us an excellent choice for those passionate about environmental conservation. Join us in making a meaningful impact on nature and the communities we serve.
