Sunday, October 4, 2020

Lead Elephant Keeper

 


Lead Elephant Keeper

 

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

 

Full Time Permanent Role

Salary: Depends on Experience

A rare opportunity has arisen for an experienced Elephant Keeper with strong leadership skills to take on the leadership of our pioneering Elephant Section here at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm.

Our Elephant Eden facility is the premier African Bull Elephant facility in Europe with state-of-the-art elephant house and 20 acres of dedicated outside space - the largest in the UK.  It currently houses three African bull elephants and is managed exclusively as a Protective Contact (PC) facility.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to develop the role of a bull collection which is the first of its kind in Europe.  You will work closely with our Curator and Senior Management to build on our successful and widely respected elephant program.

Applicants must demonstrate:

  • Minimum of 5 years paid zoo keeping experience with elephants.  At least some of this must include operating the Protective Contact (PC) management system.
  • Be fully on board with the PC philosophy of managing elephants.
  • Excellent standards of animal care and hygiene including record keeping.
  • Hold an Animal based degree or similar qualification or equivalent work-based learning.
  • Strong teamwork and leadership skills and excellent communication.
  • Enthusiasm and experience for visitor engagement.
  • Driving licence and experience with our elephant facility vehicles.

Preferred criteria:

  • Proven experience as a team leader.
  • Advanced skills with elephant care procedures and interventions.
  • Advanced driving skills including a licence to tow a trailer.
  • Competence certificates in any site relevant tools, plant, or machinery.

Other key aspects of the role:

  • Deliver top quality visitor experience.
  • Deliver high quality talks and keeper experiences to the visiting guests.
  • Drive the company vehicle for collection of resources.
  • Join the Senior keeper team and take department leadership duties/responsibilities.

Other Job Holder Expectations:

  • Ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work and responsibilities.
  • Mindful of the visitor experience in all aspects of your work.
  • Demonstrate professionalism towards sensitive and confidential information.
  • Comply with and promote Health and Safety policies and procedures and to undertake recommended Health and Safety training as and when required.
  • Undertake such other duties as are relevant with the position including helping with other sections when required.
  • Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is a zoo with Christian foundations.  Applicants from all faiths and none are welcome, but a willingness to work within the ethos of the business is necessary.

To apply send a CV and covering letter addressed to Chris Wilkinson to: careers@noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

 

The subject of your email should read 'Elephant Section Leader'.

 

Your application must include: an accurate summery of your relevant experience, a complete list of your working history and comments on your compatibility with our 'must have' list.   Please explain why you think you would excel at this role.

 

Covering letters should be no longer than 1 side of A4.

 

Pay for this role will be competitive and will be offered depending of the successful candidates experience.

 

Closing date for applications will be the 16th October 2020.

 

1st Stage - Interviews will take place via Zoom at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm on 22nd October 2020.

 

2nd Stage - (for successful candidates) will take place at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm on 5th November 2020.





photo 
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant

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