Section Leader
(Birds) (Senior Keeper)
The Zoological
Society of Hertfordshire (ZSH) (registered charity no.1108609) currently has a
vacancy for a Senior Keeper to join our animal park team at Paradise Wildlife
Park running our Bird Section as Section Leader.
Applicants must have
experience with the husbandry and management of a wide variety of species due
to our current and expanding section. This includes, amongst others,
psittacines, raptors and a breeding EEP colony of African penguins.
Our bird section is
primarily focused on training and displays therefore experience in these areas
is essential to this particular role rather than aviary bird and breeding
experience.
The bird section is
responsible for 2 free flight bird shows daily (1 in winter), along with flying
birds in the animal park’s mixed taxa shows. Experience in presenting shows and
delivering keeper talks is essential, as is experience of training and maintaining
birds in free flight shows using positive reinforcement. This position also
holds the opportunity to take a lead (experience dependant) with training of
other species in our mixed taxa shows.
Paradise Wildlife
Park has a small team of bird keepers, cover keepers, interns & volunteers
that you will be tasked with supervising, training and working alongside.
Therefore, the applicant must be very personable and able to communicate well
with staff and visitors.
The successful
applicant will have a hands on keeper role on this busy area of the park and
will be responsible for the day to day running of the section, husbandry,
diets, welfare of the animals and supervision of staff. The applicant will be responsible for
delivering and training staff for the delivery of interactive animal
experiences such as ‘Feed the Penguins’ and for presenting and flying birds in
our free flight shows using positive reinforcement.
The successful
applicant must have minimum five years of experience working within a zoo
environment and experience working with birds and animal training is a must.
Across the animal
park team, we have a supportive and strong development programme with our staff
regularly attending conferences and training events, in this position you would
be tasked with representing PWP/ZSH at these events.
This is an exciting
time to join our bird team as we move into our peak season and have plans for
future section development.
Job Details:
• Full
time; Permanent position
• Reports
to; Head keeper & Senior ZSH management
• Hours;
Summer 8am-6pm, Winter 8am – 5pm. Includes weekend and bank holiday work on a
flexible rotated basis. Flexibility is necessary in this post
• Part
of a cohesive section leader/senior keeper team
• Annual
Salary dependant on experience
Primary Duties and
Responsibilities include:
• Carry
out and enforce high standards of welfare and animal husbandry routines
• Ensure
an up-to-date knowledge of relevant best practice, in regards to husbandry,
animal training and statutory regulations, including Health and Safety
• Undertake
and record animal observations
• Deliver
high standards of visitor interaction in the form of; shows, keeper talks,
experiences and education events
• Overseeing
and training of bird keepers, cover keepers, interns and volunteers
• Attend
and contribution to regular senior keeper meetings
• Regular
communication with head keepers
• Liaise
and assist in general duties and requirements as directed by senior management
• Other
duties to support effective and efficient site maintenance may include: Fire
Marshall, First Aider, Company vehicle driver, including tractor trailer,
Litter picking/rubbish removal/sweeping and general cleaning in order to
maintain high standards (nb - full training will be a given prior to the post
holder being required to undertake new tasks)
Requirements:
• An
animal science related qualification; DMZAA or level equivalent
• 5
years’ experience in a zoological collection. Including experience with a range
of taxa.
• Excellent
communication skills
• Excellent
people management skills
• Experience
with ZIMS desirable
• Free
flight bird and presentation experience
• Adaptable
for a flexible rota
• Physically
fit for the demands of this role
• Full
UK driving licence
If you would like
the opportunity to join our team please send your CV and cover letter to
headkeeper@pwpark.com
This opening will
close once a suitable candidate has been selected so please send applications
as soon as possible.
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
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