Zoo Keeper in Belfast

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