Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for animals, maintain enclosures, and engage with visitors through talks and events.
- Company: Exciting zoo environment dedicated to animal welfare and public education.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hands-on experience, and the chance to work with amazing animals.
- Why this job: Make a difference in animal care while connecting with the community.
- Qualifications: One year of relevant zoo keeping experience and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and learning.
To be responsible to the Curator or other responsible officer to undertake, either individually or as part of a team, the feeding, cleaning and general welfare of animals and the maintenance and security of enclosures at the Zoological Gardens.To be responsible for interacting with visitors and other Zoo users through presentations, tours, talks and events as required.
Responsibilities
- To be responsible for the general welfare and husbandry of Zoo animals including the cleaning and inherent safety of enclosures, the preparation and storage of animal food and the feeding of animals.
- To supervise and be responsible for the work of volunteers, students, researchers, invited guests or interested parties working, helping and refurbishing etc. all enclosures within the immediate area of animals.
- To train and be trained in all aspects of animal husbandry.
- To keep a varied, detailed and complete record of all animals within a given remit including but not limited to daily report sheets, quarantine records and veterinary records.
- To supervise and be responsible for patrolling the Zoo as required and the direction and diplomatic control of visitors on a daily basis including the use of appropriate measures to deal with unforeseen situations.
- To communicate orally and in writing on a range of Zoo issues to a range of Zoo stakeholders including; veterinary care, the Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI), public relations, interest groups, senior managers and at special events.
- To organise, implement, maintain and control many varied interactive, fundraising and hospitality events involving the public and any other interested parties.
- To be responsible for using and maintaining a variety of machinery and equipment.
- To use and apply all appropriate chemicals and related substances in accordance with the manufacturers guidelines and CoSHH or other relevant health and safety regulations.
- To implement all relevant Belfast City Council and Zoo health and safety policies and procedures including various daily checks; (including dangerous animals, escape and lost children) and acting as a keyholder for all animal enclosures.
- To liaise with external contractors working in the Zoo over working arrangements, timing and nature of work to be done in and around animal enclosures.
- To carry out minor repairs and maintenance on animal enclosures as required until full remedial or other appropriate action can be taken.
- To maintain the cleanliness and general safety of the areas around animal enclosures through litter picking and associated activities.
- To administer and maintain a working knowledge of appropriate and relevant drugs and medication for the treatment of animals under suitable veterinary guidance.
Skills and Qualifications
- (Please note that Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd require original certificates as proof of all qualifications listed on CV)
- Experiencea. Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of application forms, be able to demonstrate on the application form, by providing personal and specific examples, at least one years relevant zoo keeping experience.
- Special skills and attributes.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples, that they possess the following special skills and attributes which may be tested at interview.
- Technical knowledge: An understanding of the role of a zookeeper and the role of the modern zoo.
- Customer care skills: Good inter-personal skills with an awareness of the importance of customer care.
- Supervisory skills: The ability to supervise and be responsible for the work of volunteers, students, researchers etc.
- Communication skills: Good oral and written communication skills when dealing directly with veterinary care, PSNI, public relations, delivering animal talks to the public, and so on.
- Work planning and organisational skills: The ability to organise, implement, maintain and control day to day animal husbandry.
- Health and safety awareness: An understanding of the health and safety policies and procedures to ensure that such regulations are applied for members of the public, staff and safeguarding of the animals.
- Please note that successful candidates will have to complete a Basic Access NI
Vacancy ID 1741833 Job ref. PLATJOB20250809 Job Sector Customer Service and Call Centre,Environmental, Health and Safety Area Co Antrim Location Belfast, Antrim Road Salary £15.82 per hour No. vacancies 1 Contract Type Temporary Weekly hours 37 Published date 27/10/2025 Closing date 31/10/2025 Worktime Varies, to be confirmed
Area: Derry or Londonderry
Closing date: 06 Nov 2025
Area: All of Northern Ireland
Closing date: 07 Nov 2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Zoo Keeper employer: Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd
Contact Detail:
Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Zoo Keeper
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the zoo! Before your interview, visit the zoo and observe how things work. Familiarise yourself with the animals, their enclosures, and any ongoing events. This will not only help you answer questions better but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As a zookeeper, you'll need to interact with visitors and colleagues regularly. Try rehearsing common scenarios or questions you might face during the interview. This will boost your confidence and help you articulate your passion for animal care.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your teamwork skills! Zookeeping is often a team effort, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully worked with others in the past. Highlight any experience supervising volunteers or collaborating on projects to demonstrate your leadership potential.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to submit your application and keep track of your progress. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team. So, get your application in and let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Zoo Keeper
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animals: When you're writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your dedication to animal welfare and how you've contributed to their care in the past.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Make sure to detail your relevant zoo keeping experience. Use personal examples to demonstrate your skills in animal husbandry, cleaning enclosures, and any supervisory roles you've held. We want to see what makes you a great fit!
Highlight Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be interacting with visitors and stakeholders, it's crucial to showcase your communication skills. Include examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles, whether through presentations, tours, or written reports.
Follow Our Application Process: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. Make sure to double-check your application for any errors before submitting, as attention to detail is key in this role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd
✨Know Your Animals
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of the animals you'll be caring for. Familiarise yourself with their diets, habitats, and behaviours. This will not only show your passion for animal welfare but also demonstrate your readiness to take on the responsibilities of a zookeeper.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be interacting with visitors and stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to discuss how you would handle various situations, like giving talks or managing visitor interactions. Good communication is key in this role, so let your personality shine through!
✨Demonstrate Teamwork and Leadership
Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams or supervised others. Highlight any experiences where you trained volunteers or managed projects. This will show that you can lead and collaborate effectively, which is crucial in a zoo environment.
✨Understand Health and Safety Protocols
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations relevant to zoos. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure the safety of both animals and visitors. Showing that you prioritise safety will give the interviewers confidence in your ability to handle the responsibilities of the role.