Deputy Team Leader (Mammals) – Fixed term contract

Based in the heart of England, Twycross Zoo (TZ) is an award-winning conservation charity and rapidly growing visitor attraction. We’re committed to supporting global welfare and conservation efforts in the captive breeding of endangered species whilst supporting projects from many different countries around the world, including Ape Action Africa, Lola Ya Bonobo and the FFI Cao Vit Gibbon Project.

In 2014, we launched our 20-year, £55million Masterplan. Since this time, new habitats which have opened to the public include Giraffe Savannah and Gibbon Forest. Recently, we have opened a £3.5 million new world-class chimpanzee habitat, Chimpanzee Eden, and are looking forward to building on this continued growth and success. As part of our Masterplan development programme, other investments have also included new habitats and renovations such as Lorikeet Landing, a Lemur walk-through and Butterfly Forest, all of which offer visitors an immersive and inspiring experience with the animals.

What will this role of Deputy Team Leader (Mammals) entail?

As a Deputy Team Leader, you’ll take a hands-on approach working within our mammals section, which includes the large and domestic hoofstock, carnivores and small mammals, (for example: Giraffe, Rhino, Big Cats, Meerkats Otters, Domestic goats etc).

You will lead a medium sized team and supervise all areas of daily animal operations, with duties to include although not be limited to:

· Managing all areas of animal husbandry

· Reviewing diets and ensuring the correct diets are prepared and distributed

· Leading and supervising introductions of new animals into social groups

· Liaising with the on-site veterinary team to ensure optimal health of all animals

· Checking and ensuring enclosure structure security, reporting any concerns immediately In addition to the above, you will also:

· Manage and supervise a team of up to 12 keepers alongside other Deputy Team Leaders on a daily basis

· Assist the Team Leader with the training and development of keepers, including conducting 121’s, performance reviews and suggest performance improvements

· Ensuring safe working practices and protocols are adhered to

· Participate in on-site research projects (mostly behavioural, cognitive and welfare studies)

· Supervise and encourage work experience students and apprentices

· Engage with visitors and answer enquiries

What will I need to be considered for this Deputy Team Leader (Mammals) vacancy?

· At least 8 years’ experience as a Zoo Keeper

· Proven experience of Category 1 animal management, ideally with large mammals

· Demonstrable working knowledge of the natural history and management of large mammals

· An animal related qualification, i.e. BSc, ANCMZA or DZMAA

· Proven leadership experience with excellent communication and interpersonal skills

· Adaptable to change

· Good IT literacy with working knowledge of Microsoft Office

What will I receive in return?

As a Deputy Team Leader, you’ll receive a salary of £21,500 (pro rata), along with fantastic additional benefits including 31 days holiday per annum inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata), a staff membership card giving you free entry to the Zoo on your days off, discounts in our retail and food outlets and free onsite parking.

Contract: Fixed term contract for 12 months, working 43 hours per week on a set 3-week rota. You’ll work 5 days out of 7 between the hours of 8am to 6pm during the summer and 8am to 5pm during the winter months.

More about us:

You’ll be part of an evolving and progressive organisation, with staff engagement at its very core. Our team strives to educate and inspire everyone to care about, and therefore contribute to saving, the other species with which we share our planet.

With our dedicated and enthusiastic team of colleagues at the heart of everything we do, we aim to become a recognised “Centre of Excellence” that continues to make a significant contribution to the welfare and conservation of animals, and remain at the heart of conservation.

Location: Atherstone, Warwickshire (on the A444, which is easily accessed via the A5 and the M42 Junction 11).

All applications for this Deputy Team Leader (Mammals) vacancy are to be submitted online, and strictly no agency calls or agency CV submissions.

To apply for this position, please head over to http://jobs.twycrosszoo.org, where you will be able to select this role and submit your CV for consideration.

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