Elephant Keeper

Salary is national minimum/living wage to £19,000 per annum DOE

plus a living out allowance of £2,600 per annum (pro rata), if on-site accommodation is not required or available.

Howletts Wild Animal Park, situated near Canterbury in Kent, is home to the largest breeding herd of elephants in the UK. Through our conservation organisation, The Aspinall Foundation, we manage two National Parks protecting numerous forest elephants in West Africa.

We are recruiting for a keeper, who will assist the Section Manager with the smooth running of the section which currently houses 6:8 African elephants managed in protected contact. The herd includes three calves. We have elephant moves coming up in the next year and so elephant training experience would be advantageous. Previous experience of working with bull elephants also an advantage.

The Role

Applicants should preferably have:

· A minimum of a years’ experience with large exotic species, preferably elephants

· An understanding of Protected Contact elephant management

· A genuinely flexible attitude to work

· Broad knowledge of elephant conservation, behaviour and welfare

· A full manual driving licence

· The right to work in the UK

This is a physically demanding job. Duties will include heavy lifting and strenuous cleaning, as well as enclosure maintenance, browse cutting, grass strimming and operation of vehicles such as tractors and dumper trucks.

The Person

You will be a team player with good communication skills. Ideally, you will have gained the DMZAA (or an equivalent qualification) or be prepared to undertake this which the company will support; or have substantial practical experience. We provide extensive staff training and will offer the opportunity to develop your professional skills and abilities.

The is a permanent, full-time position working 40 hours per week, generally 8am to 5pm, 5 days a week including weekends and bank holidays.

Closing date for applications: Friday 16 October 2020

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