Animal Keeper - Birds & Reptiles Section

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is an award-winning zoo set in 100 acres of open countryside just outside Bristol. We welcome over 200,000 visitors each year and we have a strong focus on accessibility as well as education and conservation.

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced motivated individual to join our committed friendly team of animal keepers. We are looking to recruit an experienced animal keeper onto our Birds and Reptiles section.

This section is responsible for all the bird species held at the zoo (with the exception of Ostrich and Rhea) and the reptile collection including our Aldabra Giant Tortoises. It also includes our Wings of Wonder collection of Birds of Prey and the team is responsible for delivering our daily program of inspiring free flight shows. This is a full-time position working a 40-hour week on a flexible rota (including weekends and bank holidays).

This is a key role within the team of keepers covering a variety of duties on all taxa. The position will take a proactive role in the daily management of the section as well as helping with other sections when required.

We expect applicants to have a sound knowledge of both Bird and Reptile species as well as experience training Birds for free flight display. Candidates must also have a strong work ethic and good team working and communication skills as well as the ability to maintain high levels of hygiene.

Typical aspects of the role include:

Assist in the daily management and care of the animals on section.
Deliver talks, Birds of Prey displays, encounters and experiences to the visiting guests.
Drive the company vehicle for collection of resources, e.g. feed, medication.

Applicant Requirements:

Applicants will have at least 1 full year paid work as a Keeper in an animal establishment.
Hold an animal-based qualification.
Applicants must have a full driving licence.

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.
Willingness to work within the Christian ethos of the zoo.

To apply send a CV and covering letter to careers@noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk “subject” of emails should read “Application for Birds and Reptile Keeper role”.

Your covering letter should include an accurate summery of your relevant experience. Covering letters should be no longer than 1 side of A4.

We are looking to recruit an experienced candidate for this role as this is not an entry level position, as such applicants with no previous professional experience will not be considered at this point.

FYI

This vacancy has been posted out to the many thousands who read the popular Zoo Jobs Blog Page and then on to the 129,400 plus followers of the ZooNews Digest Facebook Page. It is then immediately forwarded on to Twitter and then to Pinterest and Linkedin (8,000+ connections). Many vacancies are shared to individuals and groups. In short your vacancy will have the potential of reaching something in the region of some 80,000 plus people within 24 hours. Most of these people are working in a zoo environment, Keepers, Curators, Vets, Zoo Directors, Trainers, Aquarists and more.

ZooNews Digest has subscribers in over 1200 Zoos in 150+ countries. Zoo professionals are International.

The number of people who will actually read the posted vacancy will actually be considerably less. Usually this will be between two hundred and three thousand. This will depend on the type of post, the time of the year and where it is located…of course not all will apply. I wish you the very best of luck in finding the right candidate for your post.

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