Head Keeper Vacancy

Head Keeper Vacancy

About the role:

The successful candidate will lead and inspire our existing team of 21 keepers, overseeing the care and management of our diverse collection of animals. Taxa include primates, felids, canids, large hoofstock (including giraffe), birds and other small mammals.

Flexibility is key to the successful operation of the animal department as a whole and the Head Keeper is expected to provide cover and assistance to the Animal Manager in all aspects of the management of the department. This is a supervisory role and there is a significant amount of administrative work involved.

Key Objectives:

Ensure and maintain the highest level of care for animals, enclosures and surroundings.

Ensure effective day to day supervision and motivation of the keeping staff and maintain adequate staffing levels.

Actively promote training and development of keeping staff.

Report to the Animal Manager on all areas of operation within the department

Understand, operate and ensure that all keepers work in accordance with the Zoo Health and Safety Policy and procedures.

Actively participate in effective interdepartmental coordination and communication.

About you:

You are expected to have worked in a zoo environment for at least 10 years. You will currently be working in a supervisory position. You will possess the Advanced National Certificate in the Management of Zoo Animals (ANCMZA) or Diploma in the Management of Zoo Animals (DMZA) and have extensive experience with the majority of the taxa identified above. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills and a proven ability to motivate and manage staff reporting to this position.

You will have a thorough understanding and interest in modern zoo animal management, including animal enrichment and training using operant conditioning methods.

A full driving licence is essential; candidates should also be in possession of a firearms licence or be in a position to acquire such a licence.

You will be computer literate with an excellent understanding of Microsoft Word and ZIMS. A working knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint are also essential.

About us:

Based at Banham Zoo you will work an average 40 hour week with alternate weekends off, however, working hours will be flexible and include bank holidays and occasional evenings.

Some additional weekend cover will be required to provide holiday cover.

Salary and benefits:

Salary commensurate with experience and will include other company benefits

To apply:

Send, either by email or post, a covering letter and application form (available from our website, http://www.banhamzoo.co.uk/AboutUs/StaffVacancies.aspx  ) to Mike Woolham, Animal Manager, at either mike.woolham@banhamzoo.co.uk or Zoological Society of East Anglia (Banham Zoo), The Grove, Kenninghall Road, Banham, Norfolk NR16 2HE.  Closing date for applications is 14th July 2014. Please note that we are happy to also receive a copy of your CV if available but applications that do not also include a completed application form will not be considered for this post.

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