Thursday, November 28, 2019

Experienced Animal Keeper - Elephants



Experienced Animal Keeper - Elephants

Located in the picturesque village of Woburn, Bedfordshire; Woburn Safari Park is home to some of the world’s most magnificent and endangered animals.  Today it forms part of the Bedford Estates, which also includes Woburn Abbey, Woburn Golf Club and The Woburn Hotel. 

Experienced Animal Keeper - Elephants
Woburn Safari Park is currently looking to recruit an experienced Animal Keeper to join the Elephant team. 
Woburn’s Elephant Herd consists of 4 Adult Asian elephants and our juvenile, which are managed primarily in free contact. 
Duties will include daily husbandry and management of the elephants including training, washing and exercising.  The successful applicant will be required to work as part of a close knit team and will be able to demonstrate the good communication skills required for regular elephant presentations and special experiences. 

The ideal candidate would be required to have the following;
•        Experience working in a free contact environment with elephants - essential.
•        Experience working with elephants in a zoo environment or similar.
•        Work well within a team and be able to supervise and develop work experience students.
•        Flexible approach to work and working hours.
•        Current full driving licence.

The position is full time working 5 days out of 7.  As this will include regular weekend working, a flexible approach to days / hours is required.

Applications welcomed from qualified up to and including senior level elephant keepers.

For further information, and details on how to apply, please visit our website:

Closing date: Sunday 8th December 2019














photo 
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant

Primate Keeper





Primate Keeper

We are looking for ambitious individuals to join our animal care team. If you want to be part of one of the UK's fastest growing zoos and are excited about the prospect of being part of something new, this position might be for you!

Wingham Wildlife Park is a family run wildlife park with big emphasis on animal husbandry, conservation, education and safety for our animals, staff and visitors. We are looking for a like minded “team player” who would fit in amongst our primate section. This section covers a large variety of species ranging from callitrichidae, lemurs, night monkeys, squirrel monkeys, colobus, mangabeys, mandrills, macaques, gibbons, chimpanzees and orangutans.

The Candidate Will:
•        Be able to communicate on a one-to-one basis as well as leading public talks to large crowds.
•        Have some experience working with primates (great apes preferable but not essential).
•        Be able to work as part of a team and on their own.
•        Have exceptional time keeping skills.
•        Show excellent practical animal husbandry skills.
•        Demonstrate skills with positive reinforcement training.
•        Have a valid UK driving licence or have good access to transport links.

The Role Involves:
•        Day to day husbandry of the animals covered by the primate section.
•        Excellent observational and note keeping skills when working with the animals at the park.
•        Giving talks to visitors about some of the primate species in the park.
•        Strict adherence to safe working practices.
•        Maintaining high standards around the park including emptying bins, weeding and window cleaning.

About Employment with WWP:
This full time position (45 hours per week) requires people to be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions, including working on weekends, during school holidays and on bank holidays.

We give statutory holiday entitlement.

This position will pay at the rate of the national minimum wage. On the successful completion of a 6 month probationary period a wage increase will occur.

All applications to be addressed for the attention of Ruth Wilder to headkeeper@winghamwildlifepark.co.uk along with a covering letter and CV. For applications to this particular job please use reference PRIMATE in the email title. Any applications through other channels will be disregarded.

You must be eligible to work in the UK.


This vacancy will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received, therefore you should submit your application as soon as possible. All successful candidates will be contacted via email to arrange a practical and formal interview. 








photo 
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Diver / Aquarist


Diver / Aquarist

National Aquarium of New Zealand


Napier
Reference: 4955819

Be part of a fun and unique working environment
Professional training and development
Working as part of a passionate Animal Care Team

The National Aquarium has big plans ahead and we are expanding our Animal Care Department. Several new and exciting opportunities are available, including the role of an experienced Diver/Aquarist, working with species such as rays, sharks and Little Penguins.

We are offering both permanent and temporary arrangements working 40 hours per week, Monday to Sunday across a roster that includes 8 hour or 10 hour shifts. We welcome those on work visas with relevant experience who have eligibility to work in New Zealand to apply.

We are looking for someone who is as passionate about the Aquarium and its residents as we are. We have a bold vision for an "unforgettable aquarium experience" and you will be a part of making this happen. If you are an experienced Diver with fishkeeping skills, then we want to hear from you!

The team of Diver/Aquarists play a critical role in enhancing the visitor experience, as well as carrying out essential underwater maintenance and assisting with high quality care of animals and exhibits.

To apply for this role, you will need to have the following:

  • Minimum PADI Rescue Diver certificate (or equivalent)
  • Certificate of Competence (CoC) for Tourism diving (or be suitable to gain this requirement)
  • Ability to work flexible hours and days in a busy 7-day a week tourism operation
  • Previous experience in animal care (previous experience working in an accredited zoo or aquarium is preferable)
  • You will also need to be medically fit for diving to obtain medical clearance from Diving Hyperbaric Medical Services (required for CoC)

As a Diver/Aquarist you will be responsible for:

  • Delivering engaging presentations around the Aquarium
  • Assisting in maintaining the health and welfare of all animals held at the National Aquarium of New Zealand
  • Feeding our residents and maintaining exhibits
  • Diving within our major tanks for the purpose of engaging our visitors, animal husbandry and exhibit maintenance
  • ​The National Aquarium of New Zealand is owned by the people of Napier and Napier City Council. It attracts 150,000 visitors each year and offers a wide range of experiences from diving displays and keeper talks, to getting up close and personal with little penguins. Its centrepiece exhibit is the stunning 1.5 million litre Oceanarium with a 50m viewing tunnel.

The Aquarium is committed to education, conservation, Māori culture and history, providing experienced educators and offering a variety of exciting programs.

Napier City Council is one of Napier's biggest and most desirable employers - we value excellence, integrity, sustainability and outstanding customer and community service. Napier is quickly developing into the best small city in New Zealand, so be a part of it! There's never been a more exciting time to join our team.

We are an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.

Our preferred candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment screening which will include a full Dive Medical and drug testing.


To Apply please click HERE











photo 
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant

Experienced Animal Keeper



Experienced Animal Keeper

Full time, Permanent, Paid

Manor Wildlife Park is searching for an ambitious, highly motivated individual who is passionate about their quality of work and would like the chance to develop their skills within an EAZA accredited zoological collection. This opening is aimed at those who would like to work alongside a wide range of species whilst, at the same time, having the opportunity to specialise in the areas or species of your choice.
Your roles and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, all elements of animal husbandry, positive reinforcement training, environmental enrichment, animal behaviour research, elements of enclosure design and the delivery of public talks and VIP animal experiences.

The ideal applicant should have;
•        Excellent communication and observational skills
•        An ability to work to your own initiative
•        The DMZAA or equivalent qualification
•        At least 2 years of paid experience within the animal sector
•        Experience working with large carnivores and/or hoof-stock
•        Experience using ZIMs (Desirable)
•        A full UK driving license (Desirable)
•        Firearms licence (Desirable)


The position is available for an immediate start, with successful applicants required to perform a trial day as well as part of the interview process.
Interested in this position? Then please send in your CV and covering letter by email to: hr@manorwildlifepark.co.uk


The closing date for this position is 12th January 2020









photo 
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Chief Executive Officer


Chief Executive Officer

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a registered charity which has been working to promote awareness and conservation of rare and endangered animals for over 100 years. In its original charter, granted in 1913, RZSS had the principle objective ‘To promote, facilitate and encourage the study of zoology and kindred subjects and to foster and develop amongst the people with an interest in and knowledge of animal life.’

RZSS also owns and runs Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park as well as supporting a wide variety of research and conservation projects here in the UK and around the world.

The Board of Trustees seeks to appoint a new Chief Executive (CEO). This is a fantastic opportunity to lead one of Scotland’s leading education and conservation charities at a time of change and development.

THE ROLE
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO is responsible for:

  • Developing and delivering the strategic direction of RZSS,
  • The development and delivery of RZSS’s charitable objectives as a conservation focused organisation which must be commercially sound and successful.
  • The financial performance of RZSS and the operation of its two Wildlife Parks at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park.

THE CANDIDATE
  • Significant experience of operating at senior management level with proven track record of effective and emphatic leadership, ideally in a zoological, wildlife conservation or relevant animal visitor experience/attraction.
  • Excellent negotiation, communication, people management and stakeholder skills in order to inspire and motivate staff and volunteers and to positively engage with and influence RZSS members and the broader stakeholder community

For further information, please download the appointment details at www.odgers.com/74846

To apply online please click HERE

Closing date: Tuesday 10th December 2019














photo 
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant

Saving Wildcats Project Lead (6-year FTC)


Saving Wildcats Project Lead (6-year FTC)

An exciting opportunity has arisen to manage the Saving Wildcats #SWAforLIFE Project to breed and reintroduce Scottish Wildcats back into their natural habitat with the aim of reversing the decline of this iconic national species.

The role

To manage the implementation of the EU LIFE project Saving Wildcats #SWAforLIFE by ensuring, in conjunction with the project team, sound financial management of the project, sound technical management of the project, delivery of the project results and production of the project deliverables.

This is a full time, 6-year fixed term role where the working hours are 37.5 hours per week. Some weekend and evening work patterns may be required.

 Some of the things you’ll do:

  • Manage the #SWAforLIFE project ensuring, in conjunction with the project team, sound financial management of the project, sound technical management of the project, delivery of the project results and production of the project deliverables.
  • Report to the #SWAforLife Management Group and RZSS Executive.
  • Promote and disseminate the project activities, knowledge and expertise, be responsible for the delivery of projects on time, to budget, and to agreed standards. and maintain relationships with key partners to enable projects to be run efficiently and effectively.
  • Be responsible for the work of others and the allocation of resources, lead regular project meetings with the team and ensure a first-class service culture is embedded within the team.
  • Effectively lead and support performance management and employee development within the project by following good management practice. Ensure individuals have the skills, systems & procedures appropriate to their particular operation/service to meet and/or exceed the needs of their stakeholders including our visitors.

What we’re looking for:

  • You’ll have a Post graduate qualification in science, conservation or equivalent (PhD desirable) and sufficient scientific knowledge to manage the design, implementation and dissemination of conservation research projects across a broad range of disciplines
  • Experience of leading long-term conservation work at a regional or national level and be able to demonstrate a growing understanding of the conservation charity landscape with respect to funding opportunities.
  • Management of conservation project monitoring and evaluation is essential as is the ability manage and lead multiple/large project budgets often in line with funder requirements with many complex and variable components and in terms of financial, safety and reputational risks.
  • You will have the ability to develop good working relationships with internal and external project stakeholders.
  • Experience of key people management disciplines including recruitment, resourcing, objective setting, performance reviews, people development, succession planning.

For further information on what the role involves and essential/desirable criteria – please see the ‘related documents’ section under the site location map.  Alternatively, please contact Dr Helen Senn on hsenn@rzss.org.uk if you would like to discuss further.

We offer a range of amazing benefits which can be found at: www.rzss.org.uk/about-rzss/staff-benefits


To apply and learn more please click HERE









photo 
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant