SPARSHOLT COLLEGE HAMPSHIRE

Technician – Birds and Paddocks Section, Animal Management Centre

£15,075 - £18,290 (dependent upon experience and qualifications)

With a growing animal collection and a £m rebuild of our Animal Management Centre underway, the position will help ensure the husbandry, management and maintenance of the teaching collections of birds and paddock animals are of the highest standard, and enhance delivery of practical training to groups of students.

The post holder will:

· Specialize in managing the diverse bird collection of increasing conservation relevance, including Edward’s, brown eared and Palawan pheasants, Manchurian cranes, bald ibis, chough, as well as poultry, rheas, waterfowl, turacos, kookaburra, owls, finches, pigeons and parakeets. You will also work with donkeys, alpacas, goats, dwarf zebu, wallabies and mara, and potentially exotic mammals, as required for cover.

· Work closely with two other Section technicians to ensure correct animal husbandry, both directly and through providing supervision and support to students in practical husbandry sessions, to achieve exemplary standards in animal care, training and the learner experience.

Candidates should be educated to at least Level 2 in a relevant vocational subject and be able to demonstrate significant practical experience and expertise with birds, and at least some experience with hoofstock. Experience could be gained either working full time in a zoo, bird park or similar setting for at least two years, or else through maintaining your own bird collection over many years, so that you are able to take charge of our birds’ care, breeding, health planning etc. You will be able to help shape the collection’s further development.

A positive and flexible approach to a varied workload, real enthusiasm for the animals you work with, and an affinity for working with and engaging young learners are required. Some educational or supervisory experience would be advantageous. The practical skills to maintain and improve enclosures are also sought. The role entails weekend and Bank Holiday working on a rota basis.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received.

Closing Date: 13 July 2020

College Benefits

· Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (a defined benefit pension scheme)

· Death Benefit grant of 3 x salary if in the pension scheme

· Free on-site parking

· Car Share Scheme

· Occupational Sick Pay Scheme

· Occupational Maternity Pay Scheme

· Holiday entitlement of 22 days (rising to 25 days after 5 years’ service) plus Public and Bank Holidays along with college closure days at Xmas.

· Ability to Purchase Additional Annual Leave via a salary sacrifice arrangement

· Access to an employee assistance scheme