Student Keeper
Colchester Zoo
STUDENT KEEPER -
WORK BASED LEARNING PROGRAMMES
Colchester Zoo is
pleased to offer a one year placement with learning opportunities that are
dedicated to the care and husbandry of animals.
Please note - All of
these placements are unpaid. ‘Student keeper’ applications should be submitted
on the Application Form before 21st September 2018 for placements in the
following calendar year (2019).
The ‘Student Keeper’
scheme is based on gaining practical experience in a role helping with all
aspects of animal husbandry on a specific animal section. You will also assist
with public engagement e.g. animal experiences and presentations. In addition, you
will attend formal learning sessions in theoretical aspects of zoo management
(at an equivalent standard to HEFCE Level 5). Learning sessions are usually
planned at monthly intervals and in the form of small group learning and action
learning sets. These sessions will be coordinated and delivered by the zoo
education team supported by keepers and other zoo staff.
Topics to be covered
may include:
● The Role
of Zoo’s in the 21st century
●
Collection planning
●
Nutrition
● Animal
Training
● Animal
Enrichment
● Exhibit
design
● Animal
Health, Records and transfers
●
Conservation Programmes and research
●
Education
● Action
learning sets – employability, CV, interview skills, reflective learning etc.
Throughout the year,
you will have the opportunity to build a portfolio of evidence that may enhance
employment prospects within this highly competitive sector and help you to
shape the future of your career in animal management.
Uniform requirements
-
Work based learners
at Colchester Zoo are required to comply with the zoo’s strict uniform policy.
To do so you will need to purchase a branded uniform, that is yours to keep, at
a cost of approx. £40, comprising -
● 1 x
Fleece jacket
● 2 x
Sweatshirt
● 2 x polo
shirts
In addition, you
will be expected to wear black cargo trousers or shorts, and dark coloured
appropriate waterproof footwear.
We look forward to
receiving your completed application!
Apply for this job:
Placement criteria –
You will have studied to a minimum of Level 3 Diploma.
Applications for any
of the above schemes must meet the following criteria:
● You must
be 18 years old or over
● You must
have completed or are completing an animal related course
● You will
confirm you are able to commit to five days per placement week.
● You will
be able to demonstrate extensive animal husbandry experience, though not
necessarily within a zoo environment.
Placement selection
–
Our work based
learning schemes are always heavily oversubscribed and placements will only be
offered after a robust and rigorous selection assessment that will include
group exercises, presentation / engagement skills and formal discussion.
The selection
assessment process for ‘student keepers’ is designed to ensure that our scheme
meets the requirements of applicants and vice versa.
You will attend an
initial selection assessment day followed by a further practical assessment day
spent on an animal section. Note: the section where you complete your
assessment may not be the section where you are placed if your application is
successful
During the selection
day, you will have the opportunity to meet with the Workforce Development
Manager who manages the work based learning schemes and where possible with
other zoo staff from animal sections.
‘Student keeper’
applications should be submitted on the Application Form before 21st September
2018 for placements in the following calendar year (2019). Selection
assessments will be scheduled during early October 2018 and you must be free to
start placement in early Jan 2019.
Application form can
be obtained by emailing -
volunteer@colchesterzoo.org
You will also be
required to complete a health questionnaire, Health and Safety statement and
provide other personal data before commencing a placement.
Whilst applicants
can express a preference for a placement on a specific animal section it may
not always be possible to offer that choice. Applicants should therefore be
flexible about which section they will be placed with.
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
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