Experienced Animal Keeper

Experienced Animal Keeper – Full time Position

Location:   Highland Wildlife Park

Salary:       Competitive

About Us

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) owns and manages Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park.  Both parks are premier visitor attractions, offering visitors a fantastic day out.  Of equal importance is our excellent international reputation for our conservation and education programmes and we are looking to the future with confidence.  We’ve been a charity since our founding in 1909 and maintain a keen commercial edge to ensure we can sustain our excellent reputation.  Our mission is to connect people with nature and safeguard species from extinction. 

Experienced Animal Keeper – Full Time Position

A vacancy has arisen for an experienced Animal Keeper to work within the Living Collections Department at the Highland Wildlife Park, specifically on the animal section where the stock is predominantly carnivores, including polar bear, Amur tiger, wolverine, red panda, European wolf and Scottish wildcat.  Working on this section, it is essential that the successful candidate has carnivore or other high security mammal species experience and it is strongly preferred that they will have passed the Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals or an equivalent zoo biology focused qualification.  Experience of working with old world primates and birds would also be beneficial. The successful candidate will be expected to care for all the species on the section and supervise junior members of staff and assist with our resident keeper volunteer programme, under the supervision of the section’s senior keeper and head keeper.

 About You

To operate effectively in this role, practical experience in a zoo environment is essential and experience of working with a range of wild animal species desirable. You must also have up-to-date knowledge and understanding of zoo legislation and best practice, along with a sound basis of practical knowledge and skills about good zoo animal management. You must hold a full driving license and if the successful candidate is not formally qualified, you must be willing to acquire the Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals.

Working hours are 37.5 hours per week (annualized figure) and the post involves weekend and occasional evening work.

Salary range for this post will be £15,000 - £17895 dependant on qualifications and experience

Closing Date: 26 May 2014.

For full information on how to apply, please visit the Highland Wildlife Park vacancy page http://www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/working-with-us and follow the instructions.

Registered charity number: SC004064