Friday, August 7, 2020

Animal Keeper x 3

RZSS - Highland Wildlife Park

Animal Keeper (x 3) (Fixed Term 5 year Contract)

Come and work on the UK’s first wildcat restoration programme and help save one of our most endangered native species.

This exciting role is based at the Highland Wildlife Park, as part of the EU LIFE funded, European partnership project Saving Wildcats (SWAforLIFE). The role will be part of a newly formed animal team dedicated to the management, breeding and pre-release training of wildcats. This team will play a critical role in preparing wildcats before they are released in the wild. Project partners for Saving Wildcats are RZSS, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry & Land Scotland, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Nordens Ark (Sweden) and Junta de Andalucía (Spain).

You will perform all duties to ensure the smooth running of the allocated animal section/project. Following best practice guidance you’ll be providing the highest standard of animal welfare and care in support of RZSS’ Vision and mission, aiming to optimise the quality of the visitor experience as appropriate.

Some of the things you’ll do:

· Ensure animal welfare, husbandry and management is of the highest standard, taking into account relevant legislation and best practice animal management.

· Contribute to enclosure design, maintenance, enrichment and enclosure furnishing to ensure it meets all the needs of the animal, promotes natural behaviours and is presentable to the public as applicable.

· Engage with and support visitors, ensuring your message is consistent with team/project objectives and in line with RZSS’s mission and vision whilst providing first-class customer care and service, e.g. answering visitor queries and undertaking public talks, tours and Keeper for the Day experiences as requested.

· Collate and record detailed and accurate animal records via daily record sheets and databases in relation to good animal management, CCTV monitoring, training and to ensure accurate data (e.g. weights, behaviours, diet, births, deaths and treatments received) can be input to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) or other relevant databases.

What we’re looking for:

· You’ll have a Diploma in Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA) or equivalent accredited zoo vocational qualification and knowledge and understanding of Zoological legislation and best practice

· Confident presentations skills, e.g. about animals, their welfare and care

· First-class customer service, e.g. interpersonal skills and ability to engage with the public

· Significant practical experience in a zoo or animal-related environment

· A practical understanding of current conservation science, zoo biology and animal welfare ethics.

. Experience of practically managing carnivore species, with preference to felids.

Please note: Closing date for this position is 20 August 2020. Interviews are expected to take place 1st week September and expected start date for this post is 1st week October.

or further information on what the role involves, the essential/desirable criteria and how to apply, please see visit the RZSS Vacancy Page - https://www.rzss.org.uk/hr-vacancy-single/?Category=Animals%2520%2F%2520Living%2520Collections&Advert=Oa1YtbLyUVBDpRd4ztOoBg%3D%3D