Trainee Keeper

Based at Sandwich Wildlife Park

We are looking for an ambitious individual 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 growing team working at our second site Sandwich Wildlife Park (SWP).

This park is currently not open to the general public, but is host to animal experiences and private guided tours. This new position will cover the entire collection of animals held at SWP plus a small amount of general maintenance and gardening duties.

The Candidate Will:

· Be able to communicate on a one-to-one basis as well as leading groups of tours.

· Have experience working with exotic species in a zoo setting (experience with category 1 carnivores is essential).

· Be able to work as part of a team and on their own.

· Have exceptional time keeping skills.

· Show outstanding practical animal husbandry skills.

· Demonstrate a working knowledge of positive reinforcement training.

· Have a good understanding of health and safety practices within a zoo setting

· Be self-motivated.

· Have a valid UK driving licence and own transportation (as there will be some travel between parks to collect supplies and for training purposes).

The Role Involves:

· Day to day husbandry of all the animals in our park.

· Good observational and note keeping skills when working with the animals at our park.

· Conducting experiences and private tours with visitors.

· Strict adherence to safe working practices.

· Maintaining high standards around the park including small maintenance tasks and gardening.

· Some supervision on volunteers and work experience students involved.

· Reporting directly to the Head of Sandwich and also the Head Keeper of both parks.

About Employment with WWP:

This full time position (40 hours per week on a rota based system) 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 performance based wage review will be conducted.

All training will be provided and conducted in house, unless required to attend training courses outside of the company premises.

The start date for this position will be before the 14 th September 2020.

How to Apply:

All applications to be addressed for the attention of Ruth Wilder to headkeeper@winghamwildlifepark.co.uk along with a covering letter and CV (there is no application form required).

For applications to this particular job please use reference TRAINEE KEEPER SWP 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 an interview.

The interview will consist of a practical session as well as a formal interview, all whilst adhering to social distancing measures.

Unfortunately we are unable to offer advice on unsuccessful applications.