Experienced Animal Keeper

Experienced Animal Keeper – Full time Position

Location:   Edinburgh Zoo

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 Edinburgh Zoo, specifically on the animal section where the stock is predominantly carnivores. 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.  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 Team Leader.

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. A full UK driving license is desirable 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 November 2014.

For full information on how to apply, please visit the Edinburgh Zoo vacancy page http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/careers-vacancies and follow the instructions.

Registered charity number: SC004064

SUMMER MANAGERS - RESERVA LAS TANGARAS, ECUADOR

JOB OPENING: SUMMER MANAGERS - RESERVA LAS TANGARAS, ECUADOR

Life Net Reserve Manager(s) Position: Las Tangaras Nature Reserve, Mindo, Ecuador

Life Net seeks a capable couple with backgrounds in wildlife management, property management, ecotourism, conservation biology, or related fields to steward and live at Reserva Las Tangaras, a private cloud-forest protected area in western Ecuador. An 88-day commitment is typical due to the readily available visa of 90 days. Longer service is an option, but stewards must to obtain appropriate visas on their own. The next opening is scheduled for June 15 - September 12, 2015.

Applicants with skills in leadership, nature interpretation, and field biology are preferred along with those handy with carpentry, home repairs, and applied natural area stewardship skills. Managers maintain trails, signs, make repairs and maintain the reserve cabin and its water system. They sustain small organic gardens and a native tree orchard, and further work by previous managers in conservation research, ecotourism promotion and services, and outreach to the local community.

Las Tangaras is a 49-hectare natural area and its main purpose is to provide habitat for native plants and animals, while protecting them from illegal hunting and collecting. As a buffer property on the edge of the Mindo-Namibillo Bosque Protector, Reserva Las Tangaras provides additional habitat for wildlife at elevations typically deforested for agriculture, and more recently, from development for poorly regulated tourism.

At Las Tangaras we encourage light levels of visitation by bird-watchers, nature enthusiasts, photographers, and conservation biology researchers/students. Contributions from visitors partially sustain the reserve. Managers should be capable with:

1. Hosting nature-oriented guests and visitors

2. Maintaining all trails on the reserve and entrance bridge

3. Improving trail(s) and signage from Nambillo Road to Las Tangaras (with local

   landowner's permission).

4. Sustaining gardens and orchards, including and doing tree planting to attract birds and for human use.

5. Writing montly and final reports, doing basic financial accounting, recording data

6. Managing and contributing to a blog, completing Excel data sheets, and doing emails regularly

Life Net seeks well-educated, mature, very physically fit, and responsible couples with strong interests and/or educational backgrounds in reserve management, nature conservation, tropical ecology, birding, sustainable agriculture, ecotourism, environmental education (all or some) to steward the very bio-diverse nature reserve.

The reserve is an incredible place to live, and research and photographic opportunities abound. Life Net monitors and researches bird communities, and managers, visiting scientists, and students continue to describe plants, insects, hummingbird community dynamics, avian community structure in different forest types, and avian indicator species in mature tropical montane forest.  

Duties also include, reserve improvements and stewardship, care of trails, marking of trails, water system upkeep, septic system upkeep, managing mule transport of gas tanks, maintenance of a large cabin, care and use of tools, equipment, research materials, doing accounting and inventories, and upkeep of a small library. Options exist to earn additional income by providing meals and guide services for visitors. Qualifications include ability to communicate well in Spanish, one person with a university degree in a topic related to the position, related experiences with wilderness biology field work in the tropics, interests in research and nature interpretation, experience with guiding nature or birding tours, simple bio-regional living experiences, wilderness, leave no trace camping ethics, carpentry, plumbing, and building skills, financial management experience, business sense, etc.

Next position begins June 15, 2015.

Send cover letter, resume, and 3 easily contactable references to Dr. Dusti Becker at dbecker@lifenetnature.org

Head Veterinarian

Head Veterinarian 

 King Khalid Wildlife Research Centre

 Saudi Arabia

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is recruiting for the position of Head Veterinarian at the King Khalid Wildlife Research Centre (KKWRC) in Saudi Arabia. ZSL have been managing KKWRC for the Saudi Wildlife Authority (SWA) since 1987. The Centre’s major activities comprise running the largest captive breeding programmes in the world for mountain gazelles, Arabian sand gazelles and Nubian ibex. Ecological, epidemiological and genetic research is carried out on these captive animals and wild populations in protected areas across Saudi Arabia. KKWRC has carried out reintroductions into three protected areas in Saudi Arabia and continues to monitor these populations whilst planning future reintroductions. There is a programme of conservation science research and monitoring inside protected areas across Saudi Arabia.

ZSL is seeking a suitably qualified, experienced, strongly motivated individual who is able to work both independently and as part of a broader team. Candidates should ideally be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS), and a relevant post-graduate qualification, such as a Masters in Wild Animal Health or Conservation Medicine, is highly desirable. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of delivering veterinary care to captive collections, preferably of threatened species, and ideally some experience with those (or closely related) species at KKWRC (gazelles, oryx and ibex). They should have some international experience, and be able to demonstrate the ability to adapt to working in isolated conditions and a hot desert environment. Fluent spoken and written English is essential and Arabic is of benefit.

The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of animal health and disease monitoring of the conservation breeding programme at KKWRC. They will supervise the work of two experienced vets and work closely with the wider KKWRC team, especially the Living Collections Manager and the Laboratory Manager. A key component of the job is to supervise and undertake field and laboratory based research into wildlife diseases relevant to the conservation objectives of KKWRC and the Saudi Wildlife Authority. This research includes completing existing projects, developing new research and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

For Further Details

http://www.zsl.org/about-us/jobs/head-veterinarian-king-khalid-wildlife-research-centre-saudi-arabia

ANIMAL ENRICHMENT VOLUNTEER

ANIMAL ENRICHMENT VOLUNTEER

 

We are looking to recruit a team of enrichment volunteers to help design, build, and promote activities to improve or enhance the environments for the animals in our care that range from equine, alpacas and goats to dogs, cats, exotic birds, and tortoises and terrapins.

Location:
Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, Ringmer near Lewes, East Sussex


Days or Hours Required:
• Minimum 3 hours each week. Day(s) flexible

Description of duties:
• To work on staff briefs for any animal at Raystede and design suitable devices to fit the goal
• To build the designs for enrichment devices
• Willingness and capable to research enrichment concepts, ideas, and suitability for our animals

Skills and Experience you will need:
• Manual skills and able to use power tools
• Inventive and creative with the ability to make and adapt your own designs to fit the brief and ensure safety aspects for our animals.
• To be an effective communicator
• Polite and engaging manner and happy to talk to visitors
• To be able to work as part of a team
• Happy to work outdoors in all weathers
• Own transport to get to and from Raystede


How you will make a difference:
In this role you will be helping to maintain the highest standards of animal welfare through mental and physical stimulation to give animals the opportunity to exhibit a wide diversity of behaviours. Enrichment is considered a daily part of animal care such as feeding and cleaning. We enrich our animals’ environments by making structural changes to their enclosures, presenting novel objects and smells for them to explore, or by changing how we present their food to encourage them to show more behaviours that would be natural to them in the wild. Enrichment therefore reduces stress and improves welfare. 

What we offer you:
• A volunteer uniform
• Support and on-going training in your chosen role 

How to apply:

Download and complete our volunteer application form from our website at http://www.raystede.org/animal-enrichment-volunteer/ and send to:
volunteering@raystede.org
or
Head of HR, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, The Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ

Hand Rearing of Cheetah Cubs

Cheetah Outreach is currently seeking volunteers to assist in the hand-rearing of cheetah cubs next breeding season (approx. April - Oct 2015). We are looking for individuals to come to South Africa for a minimum of one month to volunteer on our cub rearing programme.

In partnership with the Ann Van Dyk Cheetah and Wildlife Trust (previously the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust) we are responsible for the hand-rearing of cheetah cubs. These hand-reared cubs are trained as ambassador animals and will be sent to zoo education programmes around the world where they do vital work in education and fund raising, thereby supporting conservation of cheetahs in the wild. For more information about the work of Cheetah Outreach please visit www.cheetah.co.za which provides details of our conservation projects (in-situ and ex-situ).

Volunteers for the cub-rearing project must have appropriate experience and/or qualifications in any of the following disciplines: animal husbandry, veterinary nursing, zoo keeping, wildlife rehabilitation or neonatal care.

This is a very rewarding experience, but as with caring for any neonate, long hours and lots of cleaning is required.

As we are dealing with pregnancy and young cubs, there may be times when cubs are expected but do not arrive, if this happens, volunteers would be able to assist at the main Cheetah Outreach facility, working with the adult cheetahs.

A deposit of 3000 South African Rand is required to take part in the project. Accommodation is provided free of charge and you will receive a nominal amount of money towards food costs.

Flights to South Africa are not provided.

Closing date for receipt of first application forms will be 10th December 2014.

Please email Mandi at cubs@cheetah.co.za for more information on how to apply. Please put cub rearing programme 2015 in the subject line.

Experienced Caretakers

AAP – Rescue centre for Exotic Mammals

The goal and ideal of AAP is to improve, the welfare of abused or neglected primates and small- to medium-sized exotic mammals from all over Europe in a professional manner. This is achieved by providing shelter to animals victim of illegal trade, circuses, animal-testing laboratories or private individuals. For most animals we will find suitable homes worldwide in reserves, zoos or in our own permanent shelter in the south of Spain.

AAP is also actively and strategically involved in animal welfare issues by influencing both Dutch and European policy- and decision-makers in this field and working together with professional groups at home and abroad. Furthermore, AAP is an international authoritative knowledge centre.

We employ about 70 paid staff and more than 100 volunteers. AAP is situated in the middle of a green area  near Almere.  There is nowhere else you would directly see the result of your efforts – each animal taken into our care makes a recovery. AAP distinguishes itself by having an enormous passion and a professional, open culture. Our core values, accessibility, dedication and  inventiveness form important guidelines.

Due to maternity leave for the Quarantine Department and Primate Department as part of the Cluster Rescue and Rehabilitation, with immediate effect we are looking for

Experienced Caretakers m/f
(24-32 hours per week temporary from 4 till 11 months)

Quarantine Department

As an Experienced Caretaker you are responsible for the daily care of the mammals, including primates and chimpanzees. In Quarantine you will work with mostly solitary housed species. Animals in quarantine are to be examined, treated, rehabilitated and prepared to go to a resocialisation department.

Primate Department

As an Experienced Caretaker you are responsible for the daily care of the primates. At the Primate Department you will help to socialise various primate species and prepare them for outplacement.

Your role
The practical work for a large part will consist of cleaning, feeding, observing, providing behavioural enrichment and assisting to rehabilitate animals. You will work in a team of experienced caretakers operating according to standard procedures and a hands-off policy. You will direct and guide a number of trainees and (foreign) volunteers. You will undertake a number of administrative tasks as a part of your job. You are flexible enough to work Saturdays or Sundays. The department’s Team Leader will direct you.

Requirements
Affinity with the goals of AAP * a 3-year MBO-opleiding dierenverzorging (Animal Care qualification EQF 3) * a minimum of 1 year of experience working with exotic animals * knowledge of primates on a species level is a plus * good physical shape and ability to work under stress * prepared to work weekends * capable of working independently as well as a team player * taking the initiative * disciplined to work with protocols * prepared to share knowledge and information * competent in both oral and written English * capable of working with relevant computer software (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).

We offer
We are offering you a very challenging job with a lot of responsibility in an open, professional and international organisation with animals and people at its heart, located in a green environment. The salary ranges between € 1441,- and € 1743,- gross per month (bases on 32 hrs) depending on relevant work experience. The jobs are temporary from 4 till 11 months. We prefer  someone who is available immediately.

Want to know more or apply right away?
For further information call Frank Vugts, Team Leader Quarantine Department or Huub Vlemmix, Team Leader Primate Department, phone number +31 (0)36 523 87 87. Check our website for further information about AAP:  www.aap.nl
Send your application letter and CV before 22^th of November, mentioning number 2014-13-OREDV, preferably by e-mail to working.at@aap.nl, or by mail to Stichting AAP, Kemphaanpad 1, Postbus 50313, 1305 AH Almere, Attn. Elly Koppers, Personnel Coordinator. Please motivate your choice of department in your application.

A practical assignment is part of the application process.

Tropical House Keeper - Internship

Newquay Zoo Internships

 Tropical House Keeper

Closing date for applications 31^st December 2014

Newquay Zoo is part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust family, comprising Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts, Slapton Ley and two urban nature reserves. Newquay Zoo opened in 1969, has become one of the country's top Zoos, contributing towards ground breaking and innovative conservation programmes. It has also proved itself to be one of the best visitor attractions in the South West.

We currently have a vacancy for voluntary internships for a period of 6 months (including a one month probationary period) working with our Tropical House keeping department. Newquay Zoo is open every day and the placements will be full time i.e. a five day working week including some weekends. The main role of the keeping interns will be to attend the husbandry requirements of the reptile, amphibian & invertebrate collection as directed by the Senior Keeper in charge.

All internships are purely voluntary and as such it is with regret that Newquay zoo cannot provide any financial support or expenses to those wishing to apply for these positions. To ensure that interns are provided with valuable experience; a training agreement will be completed and reviewed regularly and a training record will be provided upon completion of the placement.  

Objectives of the placement

-        To gain experience and understanding of the work of a zoo animal keeping department.

-        To apply own personal skills and take ownership of a series of tasks and/or a research project.

-        To reflect on training and experience throughout the placement.

Anticipated tasks/training provided

-        Assisting with daily animal husbandry e.g. feeding, cleaning, enrichment provision, enclosure modification etc.

-        Observations of animals and recording of relevant information.

-        Training in basic research methods.

-        Visitor interaction e.g. answering visitor questions in a polite and sensitive manner.

-        Assisting with student supervision at the direction of the head keeper.

-        Training in animal-management related computer software.

-        Training in all aspects of the company’s code of practise.

Skills Required

-        A qualification in an animal science related discipline would be desirable.

-        Previous animal-related work experience.

-        Good communication skills.

-        Adaptable to different working environments.

-        Able to work in a team and independently.

-        Physically fit for the demands of the post.

To apply for the above position please send a CV and covering letter, indicating which position you are applying for, to Owen Taylor.

Newquay Zoo, Trenance gardens, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2LZ

owen.taylor@newquayzoo.org.uk.

Primate Keeper - Intern

Newquay Zoo Internships

Primate Keeper

Closing date for applications 31^st December 2014

Newquay Zoo is part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust family, comprising Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts, Slapton Ley and two urban nature reserves. Newquay Zoo opened in 1969, has become one of the country's top Zoos, contributing towards ground breaking and innovative conservation programmes. It has also proved itself to be one of the best visitor attractions in the South West.

We currently have a vacancy for voluntary internships for a period of 6 months (including a one month probationary period) working with our primate keeping department. Newquay Zoo is open every day and the placements will be full time i.e. a five day working week including some weekends. The main role of the keeping interns will be to attend the husbandry requirements of the primate collection as directed by the Senior Keeper in charge.

All internships are purely voluntary and as such it is with regret that Newquay zoo cannot provide any financial support or expenses to those wishing to apply for these positions. To ensure that interns are provided with valuable experience; a training agreement will be completed and reviewed regularly and a training record will be provided upon completion of the placement.  

Objectives of the placement

-        To gain experience and understanding of the work of a zoo animal keeping department.

-        To apply own personal skills and take ownership of a series of tasks and/or a research project.

-        To reflect on training and experience throughout the placement.

Anticipated tasks/training provided

-        Assisting with daily animal husbandry e.g. feeding, cleaning, enrichment provision, enclosure modification etc.

-        Observations of animals and recording of relevant information.

-        Training in basic research methods.

-        Visitor interaction e.g. answering visitor questions in a polite and sensitive manner.

-        Assisting with student supervision at the direction of the head keeper.

-        Training in animal-management related computer software.

-        Training in all aspects of the company’s code of practise.

Skills Required

-        A qualification in an animal science related discipline would be desirable.

-        Previous animal-related work experience.

-        Good communication skills.

-        Adaptable to different working environments.

-        Able to work in a team and independently.

-        Physically fit for the demands of the post.

To apply for the above position please send a CV and covering letter, indicating which position you are applying for, to Owen Taylor.

Newquay Zoo, Trenance gardens, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2LZ

owen.taylor@newquayzoo.org.uk

Primate Keeper

Primate Keeper

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our team of dedicated primate keepers at Howletts Wild Animal Park. The ideal candidate will have experience in a mainstream zoological collection (preferably in a similar position) and an awareness of current conservation issues and a passion for animal welfare.

Howletts Wild Animal Park, situated near Canterbury in Kent, works to support a number of overseas conservation projects including the Java Primate Project in Indonesia. We are home to a collection of around 170 rare and endangered primates, including Javan gibbons, Dusky langurs, Sulawesi macaques, Pied tamarins and Gelada baboons to name a few.

We have recently built a rescue and rehabilitation centre in Java where rare Indonesian primates can be confiscated and taken care of; with a view to either returning them back to the wild or providing them with a better quality of life. Ultimately, captive bred animals may also relocate to the centre, providing offspring that could boost the wild population when reintroduction conditions are right.

This is a physically demanding position so candidates must be physically fit. A full valid driving licence is essential to the role. Ideally you will posses experience of good all round animal husbandry skills and be enthusiastic in contributing to the enrichment of the primate species around the park. Holding a recognised Zoo Animal Management qualification and being comfortable interacting with the public would be an advantage. 

Working 5 days a week, including weekends and bank holidays, the successful candidate will have a genuinely flexible approach to working hours. Single person accommodation may be available.

All applicants must have right to work in the UK.

Visit our website at www.aspinallfoundation.org for further information.

To apply, please email a CV along with a covering letter to: personnel@aspinallfoundation.org  

DISPLAYS SUPERVISOR

DISPLAYS SUPERVISOR POSITION 

 MALTA NATIONAL AQUARIUM

Marine Aquatic Ltd., operators for the Malta National Aquarium complex is looking for additional team members!

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time and experienced Displays Supervisor to join our dynamic team. The Display Supervisor will be responsible for all displays at our aquarium with a wide variaty of species, from shrimps to sharks. The successful candidate will also take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the aquarists team to ensure the highest standard of animal care and husbandry whilst assisting the Curator to ensure that the aquarium adheres to all applicable regulatory framework.

We are looking for an natural leader with excellent problem solving skills. Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years working experience in a similar role, be willing to work flexible hours which may include weekends and public holidays, and also be able to clearly communicate in written and verbal English. Having diving experience is not a must, but candidates with PADI advanced certification will be given preference.

If you are interested in joining our team, kindly send an updated CV by not later than the 26th November 2014 to:hr@aquarium.com.mt

Animal Welfare Technician

Animal Welfare Technician

Animal Welfare Technician – 35 hours per week, based at Silverstone.

Closing Date:

November 24 2014

Date of Advert:

November 10 2014

Contact Name:

Human Resources

Contact Email:

jobs@moulton.ac.uk

Animal Welfare Technician – 35 hours per week, based at Silverstone.
Salary: £14,788.38 - £15,683.50 per annum

The continued growth in students wishing to study animal welfare, veterinary nursing and related courses means there has never been a more exciting opportunity to join Moulton College.

We invite applications from suitably qualified and experienced individuals to work within our purpose built facilities at our sites in Silverstone and our Main Site in Moulton. The role will require travel between the sites.

Duties will include all routine tasks required of animal husbandry to maintain the health, care and welfare of a range of companion and exotic animals. In addition you will undertake environmental enrichment activities, updating and maintaining records, preparing stock and equipment for use in practical classes and supervising students on commercial experience. Shift patterns operate between 6am – 8pm and weekend working is a requirement of this post.

To apply please go to: http://www.moulton.ac.uk/contact-us/work-for-us/job-vacancies/animal-welfare-technician-%E2%80%93-35-hours-per-week,-based-at-silverstone