Keeper – Lower Vertebrates & Invertebrates

Chester Zoo

We are Chester Zoo, and for over 80 years we have 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 Lower Vertebrates & Invertebrates Keeper to join our busy and diverse section on a permanent basis. We are looking for someone to work specifically with Reptiles and Amphibians and have knowledge regarding husbandry on Invertebrates too.

The role:

For the right candidate, this post offers a fantastic opportunity to work with a variety of species of reptiles and amphibian’s species including Komodo dragons, Mountain chicken frogs, Montseny brook newts, Ploughshare tortoises, Bermuda skinks, Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko, Sunda gharials and chameleons, to name a few.

The successful candidate will assist in all aspects of animal welfare, hygiene and life support. They will ensure that all exhibits are of an excellent standard for both animals and visitors alike, and provide outstanding customer care. Direct participation in the species conservation and research programmes ex and/or in situ will be also part of the daily duties.

The successful candidate will have:

· A HND or degree level qualification in a zoological related science or equivalent experience

· Proven experience of working in a Zoo or Aquarium setting with relevant Lower Vertebrate and Invertebrate species, and in particular reptiles

· Outstanding observational skills, attention to detail and be committed to ensuring the highest possible standards of animal health and welfare are met

· A thorough understanding of the contribution that ex situ populations can make to education, science and conservation

· Excellent exhibit theming skills

· Strong teamwork skills, adaptable to work in a group and independently

· Good competence in internal and external communications

Ideally, the successful candidate will also have:

· Experience of working in field conservation and conducting research projects

· Competency in the use of computers and basic software packages, including ZIMS software, in order to maintain accurate records

· Experience in conducting and publishing scientific research

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 £21,934.33 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/

To apply for this position, go to www.chesterzoo.org/work-with-us/ 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 Keeper – Lower Vertebrates & Invertebrates role.

Closing date for applications is 1 December 2020

Shortlisting of applications and interviews for the role will take place while the advert is live; the advert will close once the successful candidate is found. Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as quickly as possible.