Thursday, May 31, 2012

Tropical Marine Aquarist at Blue Planet Aquarium




Job Description



POSITION:                                                             Marine Aquarist

LOCATION:                                                            Blue Planet Aquarium

Tropical Marine Aquarist at Blue Planet Aquarium

Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks is looking to recruit an experienced Tropical Marine Aquarist.

The aquarium is part of Deep Sea Leisure plc which has 6 other aquarium visitor attractions in the group.  Our displays include animals from the British coastline to tropical reefs. At the heart of the aquarium is a 3.8 million litre shark tank; as well as a diverse collection of terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates.

You will be responsible for the Tropical Marine Displays – consisting of corals, jellyfish and fish species. As well as assisting on the freshwater, temperate marine and terrestrial animal sections when needed.

A proven track record in fish and coral husbandry is essential.  A proven ability to design, construct and maintain tropical reef aquaria is a must and familiarity with PVC pipework, basic joinery and maintenance of life support equipment including pumps is a must. Other responsibilities will include providing veterinary care, display development and breeding programmes as directed. PADI Dive Master or above is desirable but not essential.

It's important that all visitors have an enjoyable day out and this is where you play a part. You will be responsible for conversing with visitors whilst carrying out your daily duties around the aquarium as well as delivering engaging presentations. It's essential therefore that you enjoy and are just as confident working behind the scenes as well as Front of House.
We do recognize the time and effort it takes to apply for a position, but as an employer of choice we receive a high volume of applications and in the interests of economy, Aspro UK does not notify candidates who have been unsuccessful in their application; consequently if you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. 

If interested, please send your CV and covering letter to: Janeen Pickup, Aspro UK Group HR Manager, c/o Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks,
Cheshire, CH65 9LF. Or email recruitment@asprouk.com 
Your application letter should highlight why you would be able to fulfill this key role within the organisation and clearly demonstrate how you meet our requirements. Please include your salary expectations. Closing date: Friday, 15th June 2012 Interviews will be held week commencing 22nd June 2012.

Blue Planet Aquarium is committed to Equal Opportunities: www.blueplanetaquarium.co.uk




RESPONSIBLE TO:                                 Curator      

                                                               

RESPONSIBLE FOR:                                              Volunteers and work experience (on a day to day basis)       

                                                              

RESPONSIBLE FOR LIAISON WITH:                    Blue Planet Aquarium staff at all levels.

                                                                                Deputy Curator

Dive Supervisor (daily dive operations only)

Dive team

                                                                                 Dive/LS Technician (shark exhibit maintenance and husbandry)



Mission Statement: To offer fun in parks which are safe and environmentally friendly, and guarantee a high quality of service, with customers served by a motivated team, to ensure that they are satisfied and want to return.”

Purpose:   To ensure the highest standards of animal husbandry and exhibit maintenance throughout the Blue Planet Aquarium with special interest in marine exhibits. Through  consideration of the Visitor experience, fun, education, value, conservation awareness and animal welfare – employ Zoological strategies and an enthusiastic attitude to deliver the highest standard of exhibits, informative talks and dive operation throughout Blue Planet Aquarium (BPA) ensuring that Visitors are satisfied and want to return. 



RESPONSIBILITIES

1                     ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

1.1                Upkeep (including hygiene, tidiness and safety) of all marine exhibits, equipment and service areas to the standards expected by the Curator

1.2                Responsible for animal husbandry throughout the collection with special interest in all marine exhibits.

1.3                Responsible  for monitoring and recording water quality and environmental parameters ensuring it meets the needs of the animals in the collection.

1.4                Maintain suitable stock levels in all exhibits (as directed by Curator and Displays Supervisor) by liaising with a variety of live stock suppliers and ordering under the guidance of the displays supervisor.

1.5                Ensuring the highest standards of animal husbandry are maintained with all livestock whilst keeping up to date with advances in relevant technology and practices.

1.6                Strict record keeping for all areas of animal husbandry (births, deaths, arrivals, departures, feeding regimes, development plans, daily protocols, Animal health procedures etc.

1.7                Consideration for the welfare of all animals in our care providing input to ethical review committee where requested.

1.8                Carry out animal health enquiries and post mortems in accordance with the requirements of the company vet.

1.9                To implement feeding regimes as directed by Curator in consultation with the company vet.

1.10            Awareness and promotion of Conservation Strategies throughout the activities of the Zoological department.



2              EXHIBIT MAINTENANCE

2.1                To be competent in all aspects of designing, costing and building tropical reef aquariums.

2.2                Ensure the upkeep of all plant rooms, quarantine areas, laboratories, store rooms to the highest   standard and meet relevant safety standards.

2.3                To design, construct and maintain filtration systems suitable for the species in your care whilst being responsible for installation and maintenance of plumbing, basic joinery and lighting of displays.

2.4                To maintain displays, plant, equipment and life support systems, including pumps to relevant safety standards.

2.5                To continuously improve your displays throughout the collection with an ability to work to deadlines set by your Line Manager.



3              HEALTH AND SAFETY          

3.1          Ensure the storage of all COSHH materials and medication adheres to company standards

3.2          Ensure company Health and Safety practices are followed at all times

3.3          Ensure that Risk Assessments for your working areas are up to date and revised annually.



4.             DIVING

4.1          To satisfactorily complete dive courses agreed with Curator

4.2          Undertake training to become PADI Divemaster/BSAC Dive Leader if  requested by the Curator

4.3          Responsible for ensuring Dive Medical is up to date at all times

4.4          Maintaining own records of diving and ensuring compliance with HSE & PADI regulations

4.5          Maintaining accurate records of dive equipment

4.6          Supervising and dive tending for shows, training, maintenance and collecting dives

4.7          Scuba diving for shows, maintenance, training and collection 

4.8          Assist with monitoring, servicing and maintenance of scuba equipment

4.9          Responsible for reporting any health and safety incidents to the Curator and Dive Officer.



5              CUSTOMER SERVICE

5.1                 Providing outstanding customer service to all BPA visitors in all circumstances

5.2                Write and present public feeds and shows to the highest standard as directed

5.3                Maintain and continually develop interpretation throughout collection including species  graphics with special interest in terrestrial exhibits

5.4                Ensure uniform standards are maintained at a suitable level and for representing BPA within the Zoological Community in a positive light

5.5                To be courteous, pleasant and approachable at all times when dealing with the public in order to establish a lasting positive image of the aquarium



6.             Finance management

6.1          Ensure that all purchases are authorized by the Curator in accordance with financial control procedures.

6.2          To manage resources, be aware of costs and to look for better value for money at all times



7.             OTHER DUTIES

7.1          To attend training courses as required by the business, and be available to assist at other sites if required.

7.2          To impart knowledge to the rest of the BPA team if deemed necessary and to assist in the training of work experience and work based students

7.3          Responsible for representing BPA within the Zoological Community in a positive light

7.4          To do any other reasonable duty as required by the Curator in accordance with the needs of the business.

7.5          From time to time the company or Park Director may make reasonable requests for you to undertake duties not necessarily covered in the above

7.6          Once fully trained become part of the on call rota which means being on call outside normal working hours

7.7          To work unsociable and sometimes long hours as and when the business needs

7.8          Attend meetings, conference, work placements and training when requested and to assist other Aspro sites in order to help development where deemed necessary by the Company

7.9          Cooperate and assist other team members (including the sharing of all knowledge and experience) when needed. Provide cover for the Zoological department during holidays and days off



Agreed by:

……………………………………..Post Holder                               Date…………………………….



…………………………………….. Curator                                     Date……………………………..





For Your Information




Part Time Diver


Scotland’s National Aquarium



Deep Sea World is a market leader visitor attraction and Scotland’s National Aquarium, based in North Queensferry, and operated by Deep Sea Leisure PLC.



Part Time Diver



An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Part Time Diver to be part of this successful team - offering both the freedom to develop and valuable operational experience.   



 Post requirements:



·                     PADI Divemaster or equivalent

·                     An up to date HSE medical and logbook

·                     HSE First Aid at Work certificate or equivalent

·                     Oxygen provider certificate

·                     Experience in resort diving operations

·                     Good customer service skills



The post is Part Time, with weekend shifts on a rota’d basis. 



Please submit your CV and covering letter to: Tina Aydon, Deep Sea World, North Queensferry, Fife, KY11 1JR, or email: recruitment@deepseaworld.co.uk stating PART-TIME DIVER in the subject line.



Deep Sea World is an Equal Opportunities Employer



The successful applicants will be required to apply for a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau.  Further details can be found at www.crb.gov.uk

The Company will not contribute towards any relocation costs to the area, or costs incurred during the interview process. You must have or be able to get a valid work permit for the UK to be considered for this position.

Closing Date:  Monday 25th June 2012





We do recognize the time and effort it takes to apply for a position, but as an employer of choice we receive a high volume of applications and in the interests of economy, Aspro UK does not notify candidates who have been unsuccessful in their application; consequently if you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.



For Your Information




Raptor-Presenters


Al Hurr Falconry Services has positions available for Bird-Control Falconers to join our existing team in Dubai , the United Arab Emirates .
Applicants are expected to have experience in the field of Falconry.


Al Hurr Falconry Services also has positions available for Raptor-Presenters to perform daily educational demonstrations at the newly proposed Kalba Bird of Prey Centre in the Emirates of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates .


Applicants are expected to have good public communication skills in an open arena and an understanding of the various genus of Raptors.

To express interest and for further information please contact:



For Your Information




Friday, May 25, 2012

Section Head: Primates



Section Head: Primates





Twycross Zoo – East Midland Zoological Society (TZEMS), the World Primate Centre, has over 1,000 animals and is one of the most comprehensive collection of primate species and subspecies in the western world. We have exciting plans for developing the Zoo further, continuing our work in conservation of endangered species and providing the very best environment that we can.



We currently have a vacancy for a Section Head on our Primate Section. The section manages a variety of primates including New and Old World monkeys and lemurs. This is a key role which involves working on the section, covering all areas of animal husbandry, managing and training staff, and carrying out administrative tasks for the section.



We are seeking a high performing individual with a proven track record in zoo animal management. You will have a minimum of 8 years’ zookeeping experience, including some in a senior role and demonstrate a substantial working knowledge of the natural history and management of primates. You must have excellent communication skills and be committed to continued professional development of yourself and other staff. Supervisory experience as well as an animal-related qualification, such as the BIAZA approved ANCMZA or DZMAA, would be advantageous.



The role is full time, including weekend duties on a rota system. Salary is paid monthly and we provide uniform, 31 days holiday and 5% employer’s pension contribution after a qualifying period.



If you are interested, please send your CV with a covering letter to Human Resources, Twycross Zoo, Atherstone CV9 3PX or e-mail to recruitment@twycrosszoo.org.



Closing date: Friday 8th June 2012

For Your Information




Technician – Zoo Animal



Technician – Zoo Animal

Full-time



The College is seeking to appoint a Technician – Zoo Animal to contribute to the Animal Studies department. 



The successful applicant will be responsible, alongside the senior technician, for the daily husbandry and care of the animals housed in the “zoo animal” section of the College’s animal centre. It is essential that the successful applicant is competent in working with the species that are currently housed at the College (Emu, Rhea, Wallaby, Mara, Prevost squirrel) and those species that the College is looking to acquire in the near future (Otter, Meerkat, Scottish wildcat, Red squirrel, Lemur and various avian species). You must be prepared to undertake further training and CPD to extend your knowledge to other species that the college may acquire.



You will join a friendly team of experienced staff and will be offered training and development to build upon existing qualifications and experiences.



The successful applicant must be able to act on their own initiative whilst working to guidelines, protocols and quality standards as set out by the College and the zoo industry and posses a desire to work with young people in a lively environment and have the necessary motivation and aspiration to progress and develop themselves within the department.



For further details and an application pack, please contact the Human Resources Department on: hr@bca.ac.uk



Closing date: 8 June 2012          



BCA is committed to equal opportunities for all whilst safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students; all posts are subject to CRB checks.







BCA

Hall Place, Burchetts Green,
Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 6QR
Tel: 01628 827509
Email: HR@bca.ac.uk
www.bca.ac.uk





For Your Information




Senior Technicians – Exotics House



Senior Technicians – Exotics House

Full-time



The college is seeking to appoint a Senior Technician – Exotics House to contribute to the Animal Studies department. 



The successful applicant will be responsible for the daily husbandry and care of the animals housed in the “exotics house” section of the College’s animal centre. It is essential that the postholder is competent in working with a variety of reptile, amphibian and invertebrate species. A keen interest in captive breeding, conservation and research with the associated species is also desirable. You must be prepared to undertake further training and CPD to extend your knowledge to other species that the college may acquire.



You will join a friendly team of experienced staff and will be offered training and development to build upon existing qualifications and experiences.



The successful applicant must be able to act on their own initiative whilst working to guidelines, protocols and quality standards as set out by the College and the zoo industry and posses a desire to work with young people in a lively environment and have the necessary motivation and aspiration to progress and develop themselves within the department.



For further details and an application pack, please contact the Human Resources Department on: hr@bca.ac.uk



Closing date: 8 June 2012          



BCA is committed to equal opportunities for all whilst safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students; all posts are subject to CRB checks.





BCA

Hall Place, Burchetts Green,
Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 6QR
Tel: 01628 827509
Email: HR@bca.ac.uk
www.bca.ac.uk



For Your Information






Senior Technician – Small Mammals

Full-time



The College is seeking to appoint a Senior Technician – Small Mammals to contribute to the Animal Studies department. 



The successful applicant will be responsible for the daily husbandry and care of the animals housed in the “small mammal” section of the College’s animal centre. The successful applicant must be competent and have a passion working with a range of both domestic and exotic mammal species. You must be prepared to undertake further training and CPD to extend your knowledge to other species that the college may acquire.



You will join a friendly team of experienced staff and will be offered training and development to build upon existing qualifications and experiences.



The successful applicant must be able to act on their own initiative whilst working to guidelines, protocols and quality standards as set out by the College and the industry and posses a desire to work with young people in a lively environment and have the necessary motivation and aspiration to progress and develop themselves within the department.



For further details and an application pack, please contact the Human Resources Department on: hr@bca.ac.uk



Closing date: 8 June 2012          



BCA is committed to equal opportunities for all whilst safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students; all posts are subject to CRB checks.



BCA

Hall Place, Burchetts Green,
Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 6QR
Tel: 01628 827509
Email: HR@bca.ac.uk
www.bca.ac.uk





For Your Information






Senior Technician – Zoo Animal

Full –time



The college is seeking to appoint a Senior Technician – Zoo Animal to contribute to the Animal Studies department. 



The successful applicant will be responsible for the daily husbandry and care of the animals housed in the “zoo animal” section of the College’s animal centre. It is essential that the successful candidate is competent in working with the species that are currently housed at the college (Emu, Rhea, Wallaby, Mara, Prevost squirrel) and those species that the College is looking to acquire in the near future (Otter, Meerkat, Scottish wildcat, Red squirrel, Lemur and various avian species). You must be prepared to undertake further training and CPD to extend your knowledge to other species that the college may acquire.



You will join a friendly team of experienced staff and will be offered training and development to build upon existing qualifications and experiences.



The successful applicant must be able to act on their own initiative whilst working to guidelines, protocols and quality standards as set out by the College and the zoo industry and posses a desire to work with young people in a lively environment and have the necessary motivation and aspiration to progress and develop themselves within the department.



For further details and an application pack, please contact the Human Resources Department on: hr@bca.ac.uk



Closing Date: 8 June 2012          



BCA is committed to equal opportunities for all whilst safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students; all posts are subject to CRB checks.





BCA

Hall Place, Burchetts Green,
Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 6QR
Tel: 01628 827509
Email: HR@bca.ac.uk
www.bca.ac.uk







For Your Information




Tuesday, May 22, 2012

ELEPHANT KEEPER


 

 

ELEPHANT KEEPER




Howletts Wild Animal Park, situated near Canterbury in Kent, is home to the largest breeding herd of African elephants in Europe.



We are currently recruiting for the role of Elephant Keeper.  The ideal candidate will have significant experience gained in a mainstream zoological collection, an awareness of current conservation issues, a passion for animal welfare and an open minded approach to elephant management.



A full, valid driving licence is essential to the role.



Experience of driving tractors, a Zoo Animal Management related qualification and basic maintenance skills would all be advantageous.



Working 5 days a week, including weekends and Bank holidays, the successful candidate will have a genuinely flexible approach to working hours, with an understanding of the needs of such an important collection of African elephants.



Only applicants who fit the above criteria will be considered and acknowledged.



The Aspinall Foundation is a registered charity that is actively involved with several projects that incorporate a diverse range of conservation activities both at their Kent based Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, in addition to well-established overseas projects in the Republic of Congo and Gabon and more recent developing projects in Indonesia and Madagascar. Our main spheres of conservation-based activity include captive breeding, education, ecosystem management, local community education projects, capacity building, habitat surveys and the rehabilitation of confiscated wild animals.



***



Closing date Friday 1st June 2012.





To apply: Please submit a CV along with a covering letter stating the position applied for to: Sharon Bell, Human Resources, Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Lympne, Kent CT21 4PD or email personnel@aspinallfoundation.org.

Visit our website at www.aspinallfoundation.org.





For Your Information