Team Manager – Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates

Chester Zoo

We are Chester Zoo, and for over 80 years we’ve been a leading conservation and education charity, and an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction.

We’re also a team of passionate, talented, enthusiastic and expert people, doing everything we can to prevent extinction, from caring for animals to discovering new conservation ideas, and giving our visitors an inspirational day out.

We work hard because we love animals, we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and, despite all the challenges that 2020 has thrown at us, we still want to be the best zoo in the world! If you think you can help us to achieve that, then we’d love to hear from you.

We currently have an exciting vacancy for a Team Manager to join our Reptile, Amphibian and Invertebrates team.

The role:

Support the Curator/ Deputy Curator in achieving departmental and team objectives including prioritising and developing conservation, research and educational initiatives in the Zoo.

Lead and develop your team, providing individual training and development opportunities and ensuring effective performance management with available resources.

You ensure that accurate and effective policies, procedures and SOPs are in place, that knowledge is shared within the team, you have back-ups for key activities and that documentation is audited. Oversee the management of team operational budgets.

Maintain the highest standards of animal husbandry and welfare.

Maintain highest standards of exhibitory. Ensure the effective upkeep of buildings, enclosures and equipment within your control, liaising with other departments as required.

Participate in internal meetings providing support and information as required in support of the Society’s mission. Ensure effective communication within your team.

Participate on request in relevant external groups and Associations in UK and overseas, representing the Society’s views on Animal husbandry conservation, with the aim to meet the society’s mission.

The ideal candidate:

A HND or degree level qualification in a zoological related science or equivalent practical experience.
Have experience working as herpetologist in a zoological or conservation–breeding facility.
Leadership experience, experience of supervising a team and be able to organise and prioritise tasks in a dynamic environment.
Have a strong work ethic, prioritisation process and adaptability.
Be an enthusiastic, dynamic and motivated team player.
Have outstanding observational skills and excellent attention to detail and be committed to ensuring the highest possible standards of animal health and welfare are met.
Have a proven track record in delivering high standards of herps and inverts husbandry and exhibitory.
Have a thorough knowledge of herpetology and entomology conservation practices.
A thorough understanding of the contribution that ex situ populations can make to education, science and conservation.
Have a thorough knowledge of herps and inverts training techniques.
Will demonstrate excellent communication skills.
Competency in the use of computers and basic software packages, including ZIMS software, would be advantageous for this role.
Have a good understanding of risk assessments and safe operating procedures.

This role may involve representing Chester Zoo and the LV&I team for media interviews and internal and external meetings workshops and conferences. Therefore, excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Hours of work are 40 hours per week, worked 10 days out of 14, including weekends and Bank Holidays as rostered.

The salary for this position is £33,373.43 per annum and in addition we offer a range of amazing benefits which can be found at http://www.chesterzoo.org/work-with-us/staff-benefits/

Closing date for applications is: 14th Aug 2020

To apply for this position, please go to www.chesterzoo.org/work-with-us/, select the vacancy and click 'Apply Now' to provide your current CV and complete the application form highlighting your skills and experience including why you believe you should be considered for our Team Manager – Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates role.