Zoo Jobs: Animal Carer

Monday, August 8, 2022

Animal Carer

Animal Carer

Salary: NMW/NLW

Contract: 2 x Permament - Full Time

The Wildheart Trust has a vision of a world free from cruelty to animals, where people protect wild life. Our Mission is to rescue animals and optimise their power as ambassadors to help us campaign for positive change. We are a campaigning organisation; appearing in the national press most recently for our SERVIVAL campaign which is looking to ban the breeding / hybridisation of Servals with domestic cats.

We currently have 2 full-time vacancies within our Wildheart Animal Sanctuary animal team, based on the Isle of Wight. We are looking for someone either with large carnivore experience OR a varied interest in primates, small mammals, and reptiles. Previous experience is preferred but we will consider recently qualified applicants.

Animal Carers are responsible for maintaining high standards of husbandry and care for the animals assigned to them. They are expected to follow set husbandry standards and be involved in all aspects of care for the animals including enrichment, training, weighing of the animals along with their normal welfare duties. Excellent communication skills are required in order to contribute towards our education and experience programmes which include talks to the public.

In return we can offer you an exceptionally varied, unique and rewarding role within a great team. As part of your package, you will have uniform provided, enjoy free parking, and have free sanctuary admission for your household. We have a comprehensive pension package once eligible and alongside this we have various Island business discounts, including ferry travel and leisure memberships.

If you are interested in being considered, please read the job description and then send a CV and covering letter to Katy Hurd by email recruitment@wildheartanimalsanctuary.org explaining, with examples, why you are the perfect candidate for this position.

Applications to be received by midnight on 31^st August 2022 and you will need to be available to start by the 3 – 6 November 2022. Interviews are scheduled for 14^th & 15^th September.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early. If you do not hear from us within 2 weeks of the closing date then we are sorry but you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

JOB DESCRIPTION ANIMAL CARER
Job Title:	Animal Carer
Department:	Animal Department
Location:	Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown, Isle of Wight
Reports To:	Animal Manager
Supervisory Responsibilities:	Occasional supervision of interns, work experience and volunteers
Functional Relationship:	· Animal Manager · Deputy Animal Manager · Senior Animal carer and animal carers · Education Manager and spotters · Duty Manager · Visitors · Maintenance Department · Horticulture Department · Supporters, volunteers and donors

General Function of the Position

To contribute to the husbandry, welfare and increased knowledge of the animals in our care with maximum efficiency and best practice to ensure they receive excellence in all aspects.

To inspire and empower people, as per the mission of The Wildheart Trust by providing exemplary experiences to our visitors and educational insights.

Organisational Values
The Wildheart Trust has five values that form the core of how employees carry out their work at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary and across any future organisational developments it may have. The values shape the culture of the organisation and demonstrate what is important within The Wildheart Trust. These values focus on how we do our job and how we conduct ourselves in the workplace, and as a Trust.
Care	We treat every being with respect and compassion and we care about maintaining high standards in all that we do.
Integrity	We are honest, responsible and accountable so that we can be trusted.

Commitment	We work hard to honour our mission and are devoted to the people and animals in our care.
Positivity	We need a special combination of pragmatism, passion and optimism to tackle really tough issues that sometimes seem insurmountable.
Learning	We never stop learning and together we share our knowledge to foster love for the natural world and for animals.

Key Tasks
1. Animal Management	· To carry out evidence led animal husbandry routines and training and enrichment as instructed · Reporting observed welfare, behavioural or veterinary concerns promptly to Animal Manager/Deputy Animal Manager · Undertake and record animal observations as set out in record keeping policy · Participate in animal management operations and veterinary intervention as required and to comply with medical treatment programmes · Prepare and present diets in line with agreed diet sheets · Keep all off show areas, including storage areas to a high standard of hygiene and tidiness
2. Exhibits	· To keep exhibits and surrounding areas maintained to a very high standard of presentation · To report any maintenance or wear and tear to Animal Manager · To assist where instructed with pest control · Assist in department projects as required
3. Conservation	· Ensure you have a good working knowledge of the conservation work undertaken by Conservation and Research Officer and provide advice and expertise when requested on projects supported by The Wildheart Trust.
4. Animal Experiences	· Undertake unique animal experiences with visitors ensuring that they receive a once-in-a-lifetime encounter whilst adhering to sanctuary guidelines ensuring the safety of participants.
5. Equipment	· Animal Carers are expected to use equipment such as radio, tools, scanners, capture and transport equipment. The equipment must be used and stored with due care and attention
6. Planning	· Prepare for and attend regular departmental meetings / undertake agreed actions.

	· Prepare regular reports for discussion in section or departmental meetings
7. Human Resources	· Attend formal and informal training as required. Identify additional training with the supervisor for professional development.
8. Health and Safety	· To comply with all health and safety requirements as per the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary Health and Safety Manual. · Participate in Code Black drills and be aware of code black protocol
9. Communications, education and public awareness	· Participate in education, media and marketing initiatives as required · Engage with visitors informally during course of duties · Engage with visitors formally through talks and walking safaris promoting The Wildheart Trust’s conservation aims and insights into the sanctuaries animal collection. · Deliver talks when necessary.
10. Compliance and Best Practise	· Participate in Zoo licence inspections and other audits as required · Learn and maintain understanding of departmental and other relevant Sanctuary policies

Person Specification Details
Qualifications	Diploma in Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (Sparsholt College) or equivalent preferred but not essential Full UK Driving License
Experience	2 Years at a Zoological Collection working with a range of species
Skills and Abilities
Ability to Learn	Shows a willingness to learn and use new processes.
Animal relations	Ability to show kindness, consideration and empathy for animals always looking for ways to improve on their care and welfare and to ensure that set standards are met
Ability to Organise	Has ability to organise work and to keep excellent records
Commitment / Personal Accountability	Is self-motivating and self-managing. Follows through projects to completion. Has a high standard of personal integrity and professionalism.
Interpersonal Relations	Interacts effectively with superiors, peers and subordinates in order to advance the work of the Sanctuary. Interactions are based on respect and an appreciation for people with varying backgrounds and viewpoints.

Presentations	Can effectively prepare and deliver presentations using appropriate technology where required to groups.
Professional / Technical Expertise	Demonstrates a high level of expertise in all phases of the job and forms opinions and conclusions which are technically sound and well founded.
Time Management	Demonstrates personal effectiveness by taking responsibility for getting things done in ways that balance competing needs. Meets deadlines.
Visitor Focused	Strong communication and people skills including a positive, friendly and approachable attitude at all times towards visitors to the sanctuary.
Teamwork	Actively participates as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals. Contributes actively and fully to team projects by working with colleagues collaboratively, working towards consensual solutions that enhance the output of the team. Accepts share of workload.
Living the values	An understanding of the values and behaviour expected by the Wildheart Trust
Charitable outputs	An understanding of how this role supports the delivery of our charitable outputs.

Signatures

Signed:

(Line Manager)

Date :

Signed: (Employee)

Date :

PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION FOR POSTING OUT YOUR VACANCY.

It will be greatly appreciated as I am semi retired and have had no regular income for over two years.

Do you have a zoo or aquarium role to advertise? Do you want to take advantage of our social media reach of over 159,809+ engaged zoo and aquarium industry professionals? ZooNews Digest has been reaching people longer than the rest and continues to do so daily. Email in the signature file below. Posts also go out on Linkedin (10,562 Connections) Twitter and Pinterest.