Zoo Jobs: Experienced Keeper

Experienced Keeper

Greenacres Animal Park

Experienced Keeper required at Greenacres Animal Park, Deeside, North WALES, UK.

Greenacres is a family run animal park, who require a keeper with a minimum of 4 years’ experience with a Zoological background.

Key accountabilities

• To maintain high standards of animal husbandry

• To put in place and follow safe working procedures in and around the Animal Park and animal enclosures

• To continue to expand your knowledge in all areas of welfare and zoo licensing requirements

• Carry out keeper talks and engage with our guests.

• To continue to expand your knowledge of the natural history and husbandry of the animals in your care

• To actively promote and improve the conservation aims of the Animal Park and promote them at every suitable opportunity

• To ensure you give a positive impression of both yourself and the company to all customers both internal and external

• Confidently handle and restrain a range of species in a way to minimise stress and risk of injury to all involved. Risk assessing each situation and guiding inexperienced staff on how to do this safely and correctly

• To be able to carry out basic healthcare procedures such as hoof trimming, micro chipping, ear tagging and injections on a range of species

• Be able to deal with emergency situations, such as an animal escape, in a calm, confident manner, taking control of the situation and providing guidance to other staff and volunteers

• To complete maintenance work around the park as and when required, ensuring the safety of animals, guests and staff

• Proven record with animal training and positive reinforcement training methods

• To be observant and communicate with your colleagues and members of the public. Promote a positive working environment for both staff and volunteers. Lead the team from the front and provide motivation to ensure good morale amongst all staff both on the wildlife park as well as other departments

• Provide any necessary staff training required to enable all staff to perform at the expected standard. Provide any guidance needed whilst allowing them to grow, progress and develop

• To supervise and encourage all staff members including, work experience, volunteers, seasonal staff and interns on a daily basis in regard to correct husbandry techniques, safety and animal welfare

• Be well organised, self-motivated with good interpersonal skills

• Represent and promote the company at external events and be prepared to give presentations on what the farm does, new projects etc

• Experience of DEFRA licencing, APHA, EHO, & Zoo licencing standards

• Experience of animal recording systems and standards including movement systems

• Flexible approach to work and able to work under pressure

• Good written and spoken English

• Complete any necessary paperwork required of the role including staff rotas, animal records, risk assessments

• Handle money and assist in the retail outlets in the park as and when required

General

• This position is for 4 days a week, structured over a seven-day week to comply with the needs of the business. It is a requirement that you are available to work all Bank Holidays if the demands of the business require you to do so. You may also be required to work evenings or be called in for emergencies at any time

• All new employees are on a six-month probationary period unless otherwise stated

• All employees must be punctual, reliable, honest, and trustworthy, of smart appearance and have a polite and friendly manner towards customers and colleagues and be able to work as part of a team

• Applicants for this position must be physically fit as the job entails a degree of physical work, often in adverse weather conditions; these include climbing, carrying bales of hay and sacks etc. and must be able to walk for considerable distances, often uphill. They must have good eyesight and hearing and be verbally articulate. It would be desirable that they are able to read and write to GCSE Grade C pass or have relevant experience

• All employees must follow health and safety guidelines as well as safe working practices highlight any potential health and safety issues to their manager immediately

Key attributes (attitude, skills, knowledge, experience)

Technical/Professional:

· Completed DMZAA or equivalent

· Minimum 4 years employed within a Farm Park / Wildlife Park or Zoo

· Proven experience of running an animal department or small team and supervising others

· Experience of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

· Full driving licence and trailer licence (preferable)

· Firearms certificate (desirable not essential)

Customer service:

· Be able to resolve problems as and when possible, deal with enquiries from public and provide the necessary services, strive for a high quality of customer care

Personal skills:

· Effective communication skills both verbal and written

· Positive approach to work and colleagues

· Motivational skills and able to encourage staff responsible for as well as work experience, volunteers etc

· Maintaining good working relationships with all work colleagues both within the department and throughout the company

The vacancy will remain open until such time when sufficient applications have been received.

Letters of application, including CV, should be made via email to Andy White, info@greenacresanimalpark.co.uk

no later than the 18th February 2019.