Zoo Jobs

Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant

Experienced Keeper (Cats)

Experienced Keeper (Cats)

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The Big Cat Sanctuary is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, dedicated and highly motivated individual to join our small, friendly team, to provide the highest standards of husbandry, enrichment and care to our cats. This position presents an exciting opportunity to take on a very rewarding role in an exceptional environment.

Position Overview
BCS Keepers undertake a full range of husbandry duties, provision of appropriate enrichments and the execution of cognitive operant conditioning and target training. BCS also has a changing team of volunteers and interns, which you will be tasked with working alongside, as well as visitors on team building exercises (who will undertake a full range of general site and enclosure maintenance duties). The post holder is expected to work independently as well as in a team environment, with the ability to manage multiple assignments and complete priorities in an efficient & effective way.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities include:
•   Working as per the instructions of the Head Keeper & Deputy Head Keeper contribute to the day-to-day and long-term care and welfare of the animals held at BCS; ensuring daily security checks, animal husbandry and welfare routines/management, environmental enrichment and veterinary intervention are undertaken as instructed
•   Help the Head Keeper & Deputy Head Keeper develop and supervise volunteers & interns, as required
•   At all times, work within the guidelines of all Health & Safety Procedures and Protocols, ensuring ongoing animal, personal and visitor safety and security
•   Maintain a strong understanding of emergency procedures, be fully aware of your individual role and responsibilities in an emergency situation, engaging with practice routines/drills, as required
•   Immediately notify Head Keeper, Deputy Head Keeper or Head of Building & Maintenance (or their Deputy) of any concerns re: enclosure safety
•   Undertake & record animal observations accurately and effectively, as required
•   Deliver high standards of visitor interaction in the form of regular keeper talks, encounters, experiences, tours and education events and engaged guests both formally during presentations etc. & informally during the routine operation of the Sanctuary
•   Maintain a good knowledge of industry specific working practices/guidelines and legislation, contributing to Zoo License inspections and other audits, as required
•   Identify development opportunities, attending formal & informal training as appropriate
•   Foster a pleasant working environment & atmosphere, raising any issues professionally
•   Encourage positive communication and collaborative working between all departments

Job Requirements (Essential)
§   Proven experience (ideally 2 years plus) in the care and management of a variety of species (ideally big cats and large carnivores)
§   Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability empathise and engage with visitors
§   Experience of delivering visitor experiences
§   Full, clean driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential due to our rural location

Job Requirements (Desirable)
§ HND or degree level qualification in a zoological related science or equivalent experience

Working Conditions
§   This post involves spending a large amount of time outdoors in all weathers
§   Full time, permanent position; generally 40 hours per week 8am-5pm (includes weekend and bank holiday work) with some overtime available for late tours and events
§   Additional early and late working will be required to accommodate emergencies, deadlines or special events
§   The post will pay initially at National Minimum wage, with a salary review after successful completion of a six-month probationary period
§   We give statutory holiday entitlement

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to lisa@thebigcatsanctuary.org with the reference CAT KEEPER in the email title. Any applications through other channels will be disregarded.

Closing Date: Sunday 5th December 2021 @ 5pm

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Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant

Thursday, November 25, 2021

CAIRNGORMS CRANES PROJECT OFFICER

CAIRNGORMS CRANES PROJECT OFFICER

JOB DESCRIPTION We are seeking to appoint a Project Officer to take our Cairngorms Cranes project through a focused development year of assessment, planning and preparation. An initial feasibility report into the potential for reintroduction of cranes to the Cairngorms was completed in 2020 and the project partners are now keen to fully prepare for the reintroduction of cranes by translocation, as successfully modelled by the Great Crane Project in south-west England (see www.thegreatcraneproject.org.uk). The Project Officer will play a crucial role in taking the project from concept to practical action. The role requires experience of ecology/conservation, project management and community consultation, with strong communication skills and the ability to build a positive story around the benefits of a wildlife comeback for climate, nature and people. The role is full-time and fixed term for 12 months, with the potential for extension dependent on the future requirements of the project. Our preference is to appoint a candidate based in the Scottish Highlands close to the proposed release site in the Cairngorms, though consideration will be given to those located elsewhere in Scotland. The role is home-based, but regular travel to visit sites and stakeholders within the Cairngorms will be required.

To learn more and/or apply please click HERE

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Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant

Conservation Education Team Leader

East Midland Zoological Society has been running Twycross Zoo for almost 60 years in the heart of England in Atherstone. We are an award-winning conservation and science-led zoo, and are a registered charity, welcoming over half a million people every year.

We house 500 animals which include the largest chimpanzee family in the UK and the biggest primate collection in the world. We are the only zoo in Europe to house all 4 great apes – Gorilla, Orangutan, Bonobo and Chimpanzee, and we care for some of the most endangered and precious lives to the highest welfare standards, including Sumatran Tigers, Amur Leopards and Snow Leopards.

Twycross Zoo (TZ) is at the forefront of conservation, education and research, and we have a strong commitment to our award-winning education programme, aiming to increase the level of awareness, knowledge and understanding of visitors about our animals and their plight in the wild.

This is an exciting time to join Twycross Zoo as we have recently been awarded £20m grant funding to develop the National Science and Conservation Centre (NSCC) on the Twycross Zoo site. The NSCC will support vital work around species conservation. It will bring together experts in conservation science and train the next generation of conservationists, whilst offering researchers from around the world the opportunity to study the four great apes as well as 100 endangered species, in naturalistic complex environments. The facilities will include a lecture theatre, classrooms, and laboratories, all planned to open in 2024.

The Role – Conservation Education Team Leader

Reporting to the Conservation Education Manager, as the Conservation Education Team Leader you will support the Department in providing a high standard service to all visitors and fulfil the requirements of the Department’s strategy.

Your duties will include, although will not be limited to:

· Working with the Conservation Education Manager to develop innovative learning experiences across all areas of the zoo’s operation

· Leading and motivating the Conservation Education team through target setting and appraisals

· Overseeing the planning and delivery of site wide education activities

· Liaising with our Marketing team as necessary for the development of interpretation and communications via online platforms

· Leading the evaluation of education activities

· Teaching school groups and completing other education activities

· Completing departmental inductions

· Producing staff briefing slides and creating reports

Our Requirements – Conservation Education Team Leader

· A degree in either Education or a Zoology related topic such as Conservation or Animal Biology

· Proven experience gained within a teaching or education role

· Experience supervising a team

· Excellent presentation, time management and organisational skills

· An interest in the Zoo’s work and purpose

· IT literate, with good working knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

· Willingness to undertake first aid training to achieve a First Aid at Work certificate and become part of the zoo’s on call first aid rota

· Ability to obtain a satisfactory DBS check

Although not essential, experience developing environmental interpretation plans and designing interpretive media is desirable.

The Package

· Permanent contract

· Salary of £27,050

· 31 days annual leave

· Uniform

· Staff membership card giving you free entry to the Zoo on your days off

· Complimentary Twycross Zoo ticket allowance for friends and family

· Free access to other BIAZA zoos and aquariums

· 25% discount in the Twycross Zoo gift shop

· 10% discount in Twycross Zoo food and beverage outlets

· Free onsite parking

· Star of the month award scheme

· Access to work counselling services

You’ll be working Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm, although flexibility will be required to cover education events.

You can apply via this link: https://jobs.twycrosszoo.org/twycrosszoo/search/vacancy/all/1/4485594/conservation%20education% 20team%20leader%20atherstone%20england.html?keywords=conservation

ZOO AND AQUARIUM NEWS AND VACANCIES FOR ZOO PROFESSIONALS

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Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant