At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for animals and engage with visitors at Calderglen Zoo.
- Company: Join a vibrant team at a popular local zoo.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and a chance to work with wildlife.
- Other info: Temporary role with opportunities for growth until September 2026.
- Why this job: Make a difference in animal care while educating the public.
- Qualifications: Biological or life science qualification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 15 - 17 £ per hour.
Location: Calderglen Country Park, Strathaven Road, East Kilbride
Hours: 7.5 per week (average hours - 4 week rota)
Indicative Summer Shift Pattern:
- Week 1: OFF OFF
- Week 3: Monday 8am - 3:30pm (1 hour unpaid break)
- Week 4: Monday 8am - 3:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 8am - 6pm (all shifts 1 hour unpaid break)
Please note the shift pattern will vary throughout the season due to operating hours.
Salary Band: £15.53 - £16.74 per hour
Duration: Temporary until 30th September 2026
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and energetic individual to join our team at Calderglen Zoo in East Kilbride near Glasgow. Calderglen Zoo is a small thriving attraction with over 148,000 visitors annually. We would expect the successful applicant to share our vision of a modern small zoo and to be instrumental in moving us forward.
As members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA), we are committed to providing an excellent customer experience within the framework of information and education.
Applicants should be qualified in or working towards a biological or life science qualification.
Calderglen Zoo is part of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture.
SLLC 3229 - Animal Keeper in East Kilbride employer: Slleisureandculture
Calderglen Zoo offers a vibrant and supportive work environment where passionate individuals can thrive in their roles as Animal Keepers. With a commitment to professional development, employees benefit from ongoing training opportunities and the chance to contribute to a modern zoo experience that prioritises education and conservation. Located in the picturesque Calderglen Country Park, staff enjoy a unique setting that fosters teamwork and a shared vision for animal welfare and visitor engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SLLC 3229 - Animal Keeper in East Kilbride
✨Get Involved with Local Research Groups
Look for temporary roles in biology by connecting with local universities or research institutions. Attend open seminars, conferences, or even lab tours to network with professionals and discover any upcoming opportunities—sometimes they even need extra hands on short projects!
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Join online communities or forums related to biology—places like Twitter, Reddit, or even LinkedIn groups can be goldmines for discovering temporary roles. Follow industry leaders and engage with their content to make your presence known in the community.
✨Tap into Job Boards Specialised in Science
Sites focussed on science jobs, such as Nature Jobs or BioSpace, are perfect for temporary roles in biology. Set up alerts for relevant keywords to stay ahead of the game and apply as soon as you find something that fits your skill set!
✨Consider Seasonal Work and Internships
Biology often has seasonal hiring—look for internships or temp positions during peak times like summer. These roles can lead to great experience and connections that might open doors for future opportunities. Just remember, we encourage you to apply through our website to streamline your application process with Slleisureandculture!
We think you need these skills to ace SLLC 3229 - Animal Keeper in East Kilbride
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Relevant Experience:For a temporary role in biology, make sure to highlight any specific lab techniques or research experiences you've participated in. If you've worked on any projects, mention your contributions and what you learned – this is what will catch Slleisureandculture's eye!
Keep It Fluid and Adaptable:Given that it's a temporary position, your application should reflect your flexibility and willingness to learn quickly. In your cover letter, discuss how your background has prepared you to jump into new situations or adapt to different lab environments in a heartbeat.
Certifications Matter!:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like lab safety or specific research methodologies, be sure to include them in your CV. These can really demonstrate your readiness for immediate contributions at Slleisureandculture and save time during the hiring process.
Reflect Your Passion for Biology:Let your enthusiasm shine through your application! We want to see your genuine interest in biology and any recent trends or discoveries that fascinate you. This will show Slleisureandculture you’re not just a good choice for the role, but also a super-motivated candidate who’s keen to contribute!
How to prepare for a job interview at Slleisureandculture
✨Show Off Your Lab Skills
Since this is a biology role, be ready to discuss your hands-on experience in the lab. We should highlight any techniques or experiments you've performed that relate to the job, as those practical skills could really impress your interviewers at Slleisureandculture.
✨Brush Up on Key Concepts
Make sure we're familiar with recent developments in the field of biology. Interviewers might throw in some technical questions related to current research or methodologies. A quick review of recent papers or breakthroughs could give us a unique angle during our chat with Slleisureandculture.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Learning
Given that this is a temporary role, we should stress our adaptability and eagerness to learn. Employers like Slleisureandculture want to know that we're ready to hit the ground running. Share examples of how we've quickly adjusted to new environments or tasks in the past.
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It might be useful to prepare a brief overview of any relevant projects or studies we've worked on. We can frame it in a way that showcases our contributions and what we learned, demonstrating how that experience will be beneficial in our role at Slleisureandculture.