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- Tasks: Care for tropical birds and ensure their welfare at London Zoo.
- Company: Join ZSL, a leading conservation charity dedicated to wildlife protection.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on animal welfare while engaging with visitors.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience with animals and a passion for zoology required.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 ÂŁ per year.
ZSL is looking for a dedicated Assistant Zookeeper to join the Tropical Birds section of our Animal Department at the iconic London Zoo, Regents Park. This exciting opportunity involves caring for an incredible range of tropical birds including Red Crested Turaco, Socorro Dove, Victoria Crowned Pigeon and Collared Trogon. As a vital team member, you will ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and husbandry, play an active role in enrichment and training programmes, and help create engaging experiences for visitors. This role is a full‑time position offered for a 6‑month period, working 37.5 hours per week. As our zoo is open seven days a week, your schedule will follow a rota, which includes weekends and bank holidays. You will receive advance notice of your shifts to help plan your time.
Key responsibilities
- Husbandry and Enrichment: Contribute to the development of high standards of husbandry and welfare, developing innovative, enriching, and aesthetic enclosures with the team.
- Monitor animal welfare: Observe behaviour, health, and security, promptly reporting concerns to senior staff.
- Visitor Engagement and Safety: Provide a friendly, informative visitor experience while ensuring safety and acting as the point of contact in walk‑through exhibits.
- Food Preparation: Preparation of approved diets and carrying out feeding procedures.
- Records and Daily Operations Support: Assist with ZIMS data entry and collaborate with animal‑keeping staff to ensure accurate records and smooth daily operations.
About You
- Hands‑on experience with animals and a keen interest in zoology and natural history.
- Reliable, professional, and able to work independently or as part of a team.
- Confident presenting keeper talks and engaging with visitors.
- Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors, in all weather, and indoors in warm conditions.
- Quick‑thinking and safety‑conscious, able to make decisions for both animals and visitors.
What We Offer?
- Purpose driven work – join an organisation where every role contributes to creating a world where wildlife thrives.
- Pension scheme – we have 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 holidays (increasing with milestone anniversaries).
- Access to ZSL’s staff Equality Networks – Race & Culture, Team Pride, Disability, and Menopause, supporting an inclusive and welcoming workplace for those with lived experience.
- Wellbeing – 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.
- Cycle‑to‑work – our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle.
- Season ticket loan – we offer an interest‑free loan for eligible 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.
Pre‑employment checks and right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship not available for this position. ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of under‑represented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.
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.
If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with our recruitment team at recruitment@zsl.org.
Assistant Zookeeper - Tropical Birds employer: Zoological Society of London
Contact Detail:
Zoological Society of London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Zookeeper - Tropical Birds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the zoo! Before your interview, spend some time at the London Zoo. Familiarise yourself with the Tropical Birds section and learn about the species they care for. This will not only impress the interviewers but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your hands-on experience! Be ready to share specific examples of your work with animals. Whether it’s feeding, training, or enrichment activities, we want to hear how you’ve made a difference in animal welfare.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with the visitors! Since part of the role involves interacting with guests, practice how you’d present keeper talks. Think about how to make your talks informative and engaging – it’s all about creating memorable experiences!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, keep an eye on our careers page for any updates or new opportunities that might pop up!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Zookeeper - Tropical Birds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animals: When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share any hands-on experience you've had with animals, especially tropical birds, and explain why you're excited about the role at ZSL.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We want to understand your qualifications and enthusiasm without wading through 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!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zoological Society of London
✨Know Your Birds
Familiarise yourself with the tropical birds you'll be caring for, like the Red Crested Turaco and Victoria Crowned Pigeon. Understanding their behaviours, diets, and habitats will show your passion and preparedness during the interview.
✨Show Your Hands-On Experience
Be ready to discuss any previous experience you have with animals, whether it's volunteering at a zoo or working with pets. Highlight specific examples where you demonstrated animal care, welfare, or enrichment activities.
✨Engage with Visitor Experience
Since part of the role involves engaging with visitors, think of ways you can make their experience memorable. Prepare a few ideas on how you would present keeper talks or interact with guests to showcase your communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
ZSL values teamwork, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully worked in a team before. Discuss how you handle conflicts or support your colleagues, especially in a fast-paced environment like a zoo.
