Assistant Zookeeper – Small Mammals
Assistant Zookeeper – Small Mammals

Assistant Zookeeper – Small Mammals

London Full-Time No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Engage with visitors and assist in caring for small mammals at London Zoo.
  • Company: Join ZSL, a leader in wildlife conservation and education at the historic London Zoo.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and complimentary zoo tickets.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on wildlife conservation while gaining hands-on experience in a fun environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience with animals and strong communication skills are essential.
  • Other info: This is a 3-month contract role with opportunities for personal growth.
We are looking for an Assistant Zookeeper to join the Small Mammals team at the world renowned London Zoo. Part of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo and a global leader in wildlife conservation, education, and animal care. Located in the heart of Regent’s Park, it’s home to over 8,000 amazing animals, from tiny marching leafcutter ants to our giant silverback gorilla. The zoo offers visitors the chance to get up close with animals while supporting vital global efforts to protect wildlife and restore habitats around the world.
As an Assistant Zookeeper, you’ll be working across two of our popular walkthrough exhibits, home to lively squirrel monkeys and charismatic ring-tailed lemurs. This hands-on role combines visitor engagement with animal care support, helping to create unforgettable experiences while contributing to ZSL’s mission, a world where wildlife thrives.
This role is offered as a 3-month contract.ZSL’s zoos operate 7 days a week, 37.5 hours per week, worked on a rota that includes weekends and bank holidays.

Key responsibilities:

Visitor Engagement:Support positive visitor experiences by answering questions in a friendly and helpful manner, ensuring visitors leave with a good impression of ZSL.
Incident Response:Be the point of contact in an incident involving a visitor and an animal and advise visitors of the correct action.
Animal Care Support:Assisting keepers with cleaning and maintaining exhibits and other designated areas.
Feeding and Diet Preparation:Assisting with preparing approved diets and carrying out the correct feeding procedures.
Animal Monitoring:Observe animals’ behaviour, health and security and report any problems to the Team Leader or senior staff.
Health and Safety Monitoring:Ensuring relevant safe systems of work and risk assessments are read, understood, signed, and consistently adhered to, and emergency procedures are followed.

About You

  • Experience working with animals in a professional, voluntary, or educational setting, demonstrating basic knowledge of animal care, handling, or observation.
  • Ability to communicate confidently and effectively with a wide range of audiences.
  • A genuine interest in conservation, education, or animal welfare.
  • Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic environment.
  • Reliable, proactive, and able to work independently when required.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate’s right to work in the UK.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.

About Us

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

What do we offer?

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

  • Our vision and purpose – you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct
  • Pension scheme -we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension
  • Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you
  • Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidaysWellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
  • Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day
  • Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops
  • Cycle2Work – our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle
  • Season ticket loan – we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work
  • Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages
NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.
It’s important to personalise your application to highlight your unique skills, experience, and knowledge. Over-reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of your application.

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Assistant Zookeeper – Small Mammals employer: Malaysianwildlife

ZSL London Zoo is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in a world-renowned conservation charity located in the heart of Regent's Park. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, flexible working arrangements, and a generous benefits package, including a pension scheme and complimentary zoo tickets, ZSL fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers staff to contribute meaningfully to wildlife conservation efforts. Join a passionate team dedicated to inspiring and educating the public while ensuring a thriving future for wildlife.
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Contact Detail:

Malaysianwildlife Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Zookeeper – Small Mammals

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific small mammals you'll be working with, like squirrel monkeys and ring-tailed lemurs. Understanding their behaviours and needs will not only impress during interviews but also show your genuine interest in animal care.

✨Tip Number 2

Engage with current zookeepers or volunteers at London Zoo through social media or local events. Networking can provide you with insider knowledge about the role and the zoo's culture, which can be invaluable during your application process.

✨Tip Number 3

Demonstrate your commitment to conservation and animal welfare by participating in relevant volunteer work or educational programmes. This hands-on experience will not only enhance your CV but also give you real-life examples to discuss in interviews.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare for potential interview scenarios by practising how you would handle visitor interactions and incident responses. Being able to articulate your approach to these situations will showcase your readiness for the role and your ability to engage positively with the public.

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Zookeeper – Small Mammals

Animal Care Knowledge
Visitor Engagement Skills
Communication Skills
Teamwork and Collaboration
Attention to Detail
Health and Safety Awareness
Incident Response Skills
Basic Animal Behaviour Observation
Proactive Problem-Solving
Reliability and Independence
Interest in Conservation and Animal Welfare
Ability to Work in a Dynamic Environment

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience working with animals, whether in a professional, voluntary, or educational setting. Emphasise any specific skills related to animal care, handling, or observation that align with the role.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your genuine interest in conservation and animal welfare. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to engage with visitors and work effectively in a team.

Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your communication skills and teamwork abilities. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated in dynamic environments, as this is crucial for the Assistant Zookeeper role.

Show Enthusiasm for the Role: Convey your passion for wildlife conservation and education in your application. Explain why you want to work at London Zoo specifically and how you can contribute to ZSL's mission of inspiring and empowering people to protect wildlife.

How to prepare for a job interview at Malaysianwildlife

✨Show Your Passion for Animals

Make sure to express your genuine interest in animal care and conservation during the interview. Share any relevant experiences you've had with animals, whether through work, volunteering, or education, to demonstrate your commitment to the role.

✨Prepare for Visitor Engagement Scenarios

Since visitor engagement is a key part of the role, think about how you would handle various visitor interactions. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated with diverse audiences in the past, and be ready to discuss how you would ensure a positive experience for zoo visitors.

✨Understand Health and Safety Protocols

Familiarise yourself with basic health and safety practices related to animal care and visitor safety. Be prepared to discuss how you would adhere to these protocols and respond to incidents, showcasing your ability to prioritise safety in a dynamic environment.

✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills

This role requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well within a team. Think of examples from your past experiences where you collaborated effectively with others, and be ready to explain how you can contribute positively to the Small Mammals team.

Assistant Zookeeper – Small Mammals
Malaysianwildlife
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