Experienced Animal Keeper

Primate Section

Salary: £13,416.00 - £19,074.00 per annum DOE

plus, a living out allowance of £2600 p.a.

Howletts Wild Animal Park, based in Kent, is seeking a passionate, experienced, hardworking and motivated animal keeper to work with a team of enthusiastic keepers on our primate section. Howletts works in conjunction with The Aspinall Foundation, a charity committed to the conservation of rare and endangered animals through breeding and reintroduction programmes. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to work with a wide range of species from Pied tamarins to Gelada baboons and contribute to in-situ conservation programmes. Our continued involvement in Java means that there is a possibility to become involved in the reintroduction of Javan gibbons and langurs in Java.

The Role

As an experienced keeper you will be an active member of the primate team to help advance techniques and to be able to oversee the section, its animals and staff, when senior keepers are unavailable. It is a physically demanding role and the successful applicant will be expected to undertake all duties on the section from general husbandry, including cleaning and feeding, as well as enclosure maintenance and record keeping. You must have experience in animal keeping gained in a mainstream zoological collection or equivalent environment working with primates. A full valid driving licence is essential.

Conservation education plays a big role in the park so there will be plenty of opportunities for talks and encounters with the public. We provide extensive staff training and will offer the opportunity to develop your professional skills and abilities.

The Person

We are looking for an individual who has experience with primates and experience managing a team would be beneficial. You will be a good communicator with the ability to both take constructive criticism and impart knowledge to the section. You will need to be confident around all types of primates with a hands-on approach to the restraint and handling of animals where necessary. knowledge of health and safety essential. A working knowledge of basic Microsoft Office software will be an advantage, as well as an understanding of ZIMS.

The position is full time, working 40 hours over a five day week and will include weekends and bank holidays. A flexible approach to working hours is essential in any animal job. All applicants must have right to work in the UK.

Closing Date: Friday 27 March 2020

To Apply: Please email your full C.V. and covering letter to – personnel@aspinallfoundation.org

or post to Human Resources, Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Aldington Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 4PD.

Please visit our website: www.aspinallfoundation.org to find out more about us.