Big Cat Keeper

 

 

 

 

Big Cat Keeper

 

Wildlife Heritage Foundation
Kent

 

An exciting and rare opportunity to join the team at Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Kent.

Job title: Big Cat Keeper
Type: Full time; permanent position
Reports to: Head Keeper
Hours: Summer 8am-6pm, Winter 8am-5pm includes weekend and bank holiday work
Job description prepared: January 2013 Salary: from £14,510 per annum; dependent on experience

Position Overview:

Big Cat Keepers are involved in a full range of husbandry duties including general enclosure cleaning, providing fresh bedding, food and water to our range of cats; provision of appropriate enrichments and the execution of cognitive operant conditioning and target training for the cats. Wildlife Heritage Foundation has a large and dedicated team of volunteers, you will be tasked with working alongside and supervising groups of volunteers, students on work based learning placement and visitors on team building exercises with a full range of general site and enclosure maintenance duties.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities include:

• At all times, work within the guidelines of health and safety procedures to ensure both animal and personal, and visitor security
• Maintain understanding of emergency procedures – engage with practice routines as required
• Carry out animal husbandry routines and environmental enrichment as instructed
• Undertake & record animal observations
• Participate in animal management and veterinary intervention as required
• Participate in Zoo Licence inspections, and other audits as required
Learn & maintain understanding of Ethical, Population Management, and Animal welfare policies
• Contribute to education, media and marketing initiatives to encourage public understanding of animals and promote; including representing WHF at events
• Engage guests informally during course of duties
• Attend team meetings / undertake agreed actions
• Attend formal & informal training as required
• Other duties as required to support effective and efficient site working

Qualifications & Skills:

Essential:
• Vocational/academic qualification in animal care and husbandry (for example an Advanced National Certificate in the Management of Zoo Animals), or willingness to undertake
• Demonstrable previous experience, interest & enthusiasm for animal conservation, management & welfare
• Full, clean driving licence
Desirable:
• Be able to work well alone and as part of a team
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Good presentation skills
• Aptitude for practical learning
• Punctuality

Weekend availability and own transport essential. Rotas are available up to three months in advance; it is expected that you will remain flexible and where reasonably practicable will adapt to cover larger events and others annual leave, any extra shifts will be either paid as overtime or compensated for with a day’s lieu.

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to Rachel Garrett at rachel@whf.org.uk; the closing date for applications is 1st February 2013.

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