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- Tasks: Lead and manage a diverse range of animals while mentoring a passionate team.
- Company: Award-winning wildlife attraction in the heart of England.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff discounts, free park tickets, and access to online health services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on wildlife conservation and engage with visitors daily.
- Qualifications: Experience in animal management and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Work in a beautiful setting with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
West Midlands Safari Park is currently seeking a Head Keeper for the Discovery Trail. This section manages a wide variety of taxa that include sea lions, penguins, bats, lorikeets, red panda, lemurs, meerkats, reptiles, fish and invertebrates in the walk round area of the park. The role also manages the animals that are in our Safari Academy animal area.
The role requires direct involvement in the daily management of the animals on the section, along with mentoring, training and developing the team. The Discovery department delivers many keeper talks and presentations so the ideal candidate must be confident and engaging.
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate:
- A proven track record of the management of these species or at least some of them and be able to demonstrate a range of skills and knowledge in this field.
- A high level of interpersonal and people management skills.
- An ability to interact with visitors and a high level of customer care.
- Excellent leadership qualities and a proven track record of supervising a team.
- An ability to liaise with managers and communicate at all levels.
- An excellent understanding of animal husbandry and animal training.
- A professional and methodical approach to record keeping, staff training and health and safety.
The role requires someone who is confident, motivated and enthusiastic about wildlife conservation and has excellent communication skills. The successful candidate must have an appropriate related qualification in an Animal Management discipline and/or DMZAA, along with previous experience in managing staff in a similar role. Previous experience working with sea lions is desirable but not essential to the role. Weekends, bank holiday working and flexibility in working hours is essential to this role. Some evening work will be required during special events throughout the year.
As well as benefiting from working in a unique and beautiful setting, you will also receive a range of additional perks to employment including:
- 1+4 staff tickets (3 parks) Drayton Manor, WMSP, Water world - exclusion dates as per 3 park annual pass. Staff member must visit with the group.
- 20% Discount in our retail shops while visiting the park.
- 30% off F&B while visiting the park.
- 24 Hour access to an online doctor and access to online prescriptions.
- Counselling access.
We are an award-winning visitor attraction, located in Worcestershire in the heart of England. It is home to some of the world’s most beautiful and critically endangered species, with a four-mile safari drive-through, walk-through Discovery Trail, African Village and Lemur Woods, as well as beautiful walking trails, allowing guests to experience up close encounters with hundreds of exotic animals.
Our mission is to bring people together to create unique wildlife experiences that exhilarate, educate and leave memories to last a lifetime. Our 200-acre site allows us to do just that, whether you’re a day guest, wedding guest or overnight guest! We create experiences unlike no other, attracting visitors from across the Midlands and beyond.
Discovery Trail Head Keeper in Bewdley employer: West Midlands Safari Park
Contact Detail:
West Midlands Safari Park Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Discovery Trail Head Keeper in Bewdley
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Discovery Trail and its animals inside out! Familiarise yourself with the species we manage, like sea lions and lemurs. This knowledge will help you stand out during interviews and show your passion for wildlife conservation.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your presentation skills! Since the role involves delivering keeper talks, being engaging and confident is key. Try rehearsing in front of friends or family to get comfortable with speaking about our amazing animals.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current staff or professionals in the field. Reach out on social media or attend relevant events to make connections. This can give you insights into the role and might even lead to a recommendation!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at West Midlands Safari Park.
We think you need these skills to ace Discovery Trail Head Keeper in Bewdley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Wildlife: When writing your application, let your love for wildlife conservation shine through! Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your enthusiasm for animal care and management. We want to see your genuine interest in the role!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to match the job description. Highlight relevant experience with the species mentioned, like sea lions or lemurs, and showcase your leadership skills. This helps us see how you fit into our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the important stuff without unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at West Midlands Safari Park
✨Know Your Animals
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the species mentioned in the job description, especially sea lions, penguins, and red pandas. Being able to discuss their care, behaviour, and habitat will show your passion and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a team in the past. Highlight your mentoring and training experiences, as well as any specific challenges you've overcome while leading a group.
✨Engage with Confidence
Since the role involves delivering keeper talks and presentations, practice speaking clearly and engagingly about animal care. You might even want to rehearse a short talk on one of the animals to demonstrate your communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Customer Care
Think of instances where you've provided excellent customer service, especially in a wildlife or educational setting. Be ready to discuss how you would interact with visitors and enhance their experience at the park.