Zoo Jobs: Bird Keeper

Job Title	Keeper, Harewood Bird Garden[CS1]
Responsible to	Bird Garden & Farm Experience Manager
Responsible for	Students, Volunteers
Contract type	Permanent
Hours	40 hours per week, working 5 days over 7
Pay	£17,076.80 per annum
Closing date	Monday 22^nd July 2019 (midnight)
Interviews	Week commencing 29^th July 2019

About Harewood

Harewood House Trust is the charity that manages and maintains Harewood House and its immediate environs, by opening to the public as a visitor attraction and events venue which attracts in excess of 200,000 visitors a year.

Harewood House is one of England’s finest 18^th century country houses, with a magnificent collection of fine and decorative arts. It is an accredited museum and nationally designated collection, and is the family seat of the Earl and Countess of Harewood.

As an educational charitable trust, Harewood’s key objectives are:

· To preserve for the benefit of the public the House, Gardens and Collections

· To promote the study and appreciation of the arts and sciences

· To provide facilities for recreation.

Alongside the care, conservation and interpretation of the core collection, Harewood runs a series of innovative exhibitions of contemporary as well as historic art.

Harewood also has a commercial arm that manages the commercial operation including the visitor event programme, major outdoor events, conferences, weddings and corporate functions. It is also responsible for fine dining, the cafes and other retail food outlets throughout the site.

Main purpose of role

To actively participate in maintaining the Bird Garden and Farm Experience as part of a quality visitor attraction which promotes a greater awareness of the natural world and its conservation. Ensuring the highest standards of welfare for the animals and the care of enclosures, and their surroundings.

Key Result Areas

· Care of the animals, enclosures and surroundings to the highest possible standard

· Ensure all animals are appropriately fed and watered at the times laid down in current guidelines

· Ensure a proactive approach to appropriate environmental enrichment is undertaken for all species on relevant departments

· Check the condition of stock at least twice daily throughout the day.

· Check the condition of enclosures daily to ensure they are sound, including fixtures and fittings and report any faults immediately

· Collect and report accurately all relevant animal information on a daily basis. Keep accurate records of section/s you are responsible for on the appropriate forms.

· List all drugs used on relevant drug sheets

· Pass on all relevant information to the Bird Garden and Farm Experience Manager and/or your colleagues on a daily basis

· Seek information from staff to extend your knowledge of the animals within the Bird Garden

· Ensure all enclosure ponds are cleaned at least once a week

· Ensure all interpretation labels are current and clean and liaise with the Engagement Department on the production of new and replacement labels

· Ensure all enclosures are kept neat and tidy with grass cut and shrubs pruned

· Use all machinery, equipment, plant and services in a safe manner and in accordance with any written instructions and immediately report any faults to your Line Manager

· Show flexibility in your working rota to ensure adequate staffing levels

· Commitment to continuing professional development. This may involve undertaking the Diploma in the Management of Zoo & Aquarium Animals or equivalent within 18 months of starting the post

· Assist in the training, development and motivation of trainees, volunteers, and students working within the Bird Garden

· Participate in interdepartmental cooperation at operating level, including the attendance at any meetings

· Follow Best Practice Guidelines as set out by relevant bodies and implemented within the Department

· Comply with all statutory laws and regulations

· Liaise formally with the Bird Garden Curator[CS2] on your progress within the position:

· Display a level of personal presentation which reflects the agreed image of the Bird Garden, including the wearing of any uniform which may be issued.

· Ensure a compliance with zoo licensing legislation is met

General Responsibilities

· A commitment to equal opportunities and health and safety

· Actively contribute to the successful achievement of departmental and charity-wide goals

· Adhere to all Harewood House Trust policies and procedures

· Carry out any other duties as reasonably requested

· Actively embody the charity’s values: friendly, not remote; engaging, not aloof; warm, not cold; spririted, not strict; generous, not mean; delightful, not demure; courageous, not timid; relevant, not stagnant

Special Considerations

Hours are worked according to a shift pattern five days over seven. Some heavy lifting is required.

Person Specification

E = Essential, D = Desirable

Experience in a zoological collection	E
A relevant qualification in a zoological collection	E
The ability to show initative	E
Flexible approach to working days and hours	E
Methodical approach to record keeping	E
Commitment to continual professional development	E
Ability to lift a weight of up to 10kg	E
A good team worker	E
Experience of working with / supervising volunteers	D
Knowledge of practical gardening	D
Practical skills and the use of hand-held power tools	D
Experience of giving talks to the public	D
Working knowledge of MS Office and ZIMS database	D
UK driving licence	D
An understanding and knowledge of articicial incubation	D
Experience with capital projects within a zoo environment	D
A commitment to equal opportunities	E
A commitment to working in the charity sector	E
An interest in or appreciation of the arts / culture / heritage	D