Zoo Keeper

Zoo Keeper

Williamson Park

Lancaster

Williamson Park attracts over 150,000 visitors a year and is one of the North West’s premier tourism attractions as recognised by Visit England. The main visitor attraction on site is the Edwardian Butterfly House and Zoo. The collection comprises of some of the world’s most exotic butterflies and reptiles, insects, invertebrates and small mammals.

To maintain Williamson Parks ever growing reputation we are looking for a dynamic and committed person to join our team. The role will include a range of varied duties. As a Zoo Keeper you will be responsible for the day to day running of the Butterfly and Mini Beast Houses including feeding, watering, cleaning and maintaining the welfare of the collection. The successful candidate will also need to lead educational sessions, meet the keeper sessions and conduct public talks.

It is essential that the successful candidate has a minimum qualification of NVQ Level 3 standard in Animal Care or equivalent experience of working with a similar collection to ours.

Experience in a customer facing role is essential, as is the ability to work both with and without supervision. The post holder will be expected to work 37 hours per week, including evenings and weekends on a shift rota basis.

The current salary grade for this post is:  £15,917 – £17,891 per annum

WE ONLY ACCEPT COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND A CV AS THIS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Closing date: Monday, 7 November 2016

Interview date: to be confirmed

How To Apply

For an application form and further details please see our vacancies page www.lancaster.gov.uk/jobs 

or e-mail recruitment@lancaster.gov.uk . Alternatively please call in to the reception area at Lancaster / Morecambe Town Hall or telephone 01524 582176 (24 hour answering service).

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

Advertising Vacancies on Zoo News Digest

ANIMAL DIVISION STUDENT INTERNSHIPS

ANIMAL DIVISION STUDENT INTERNSHIPS

Knowsley Safari

Liverpool

  

If you are working towards an animal based degree, a one year Student Keeper Internship at Knowsley Safari is designed to offer you an education in the practical aspects of an Animal Keeper role within an outstanding Safari Park surrounded by experienced keepers who are more than happy to pass on their skills and knowledge. We offer you first-hand experience within the Park/Zoo community with plenty of support, training and development of you as an individual. Following our placement you will develop skills in animal management & husbandry, organisation & planning, and teamwork & communication, and gain a realistic idea of the intense physical demands of the role.

This placement is aimed at undergraduate students who:

a.        Must undertake a placement to accompany their studies as a required aspect of their university programme.

b.        Wish to take a ‘sandwich year’ in university in order to gain experience in the Park/Zoo world.

Please note that undergraduates must be enrolled on a course which is relevant to the role and priority will be given to those students who must undertake a placement as part of their course.

The placement will start on 4th September 2017 and finish on 31st August 2018.

For more information and details on how to apply please visit: http://www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/internships/

All requests for 2017/2018 placements must be submitted by 20 November 2016 and the group interview session will be held on Saturday 10 December 2016.

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

Advertising Vacancies on Zoo News Digest

Administrator to the Animal Director /Relief Duty Manager

Administrator to the Animal Director /Relief Duty Manager

Howletts Wild Animal Park, situated near Canterbury in Kent, is part of a charity based

organisation committed to protecting rare and endangered animals from extinction through captive breeding and reintroduction programmes.

We are currently recruiting for an Administrator / Relief Duty Manager for Howletts Wild Animal Park. The focus of the position is administrative support for the Animal Director along with general office duties in conjunction with a regular role as a Relief Duty Manager.

Administrative Role:

Skills and abilities required for this positon include:

· General secretarial duties (e.g. typing, filing, diary management etc.).

· Organising appointments and travel arrangements.

· Liaising with keeping and maintenance staff.

· Dealing with external organisations such as DEFRA, EAZA, Police, etc.

· Placing orders and reconciling accounts.

· Dealing with and responding to customer comments and complaints.

Duty Manager Role:

The job role requires the job holder to perform as a Relief Duty Manager in the Animal Director’s absence. This is a highly responsible front line role dealing with both routine and unforeseen circumstances as they arise throughout the park. This can be anything from dealing with visitor queries and complaints, to orchestrating animal escape procedures and organising emergency repairs to systems ranging from computer software to animal cold stores. This requires an individual who “can think on their feet” and react appropriately to a board range of issues that affect the smooth running of the park.

Person Specification:

Ideally we are looking for someone with an animal or conservation background who has had some exposure in a zoo (or similar) environment. The candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills, they must be accurate in written work with good attention to detail, possess excellent organisational skills and be computer literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Working hours will be 40 hours per week worked over 10 days in every 2 week period.

Hours will require you to work every second weekend (e.g. week 1 = 6 days, week 2 = 4 days) on a rotating basis, including bank holidays.

To Apply

Please send a CV and cover letter stating the job applied for to:

Jasmine Ash via e-mail: personnel@aspinallfoundation.org

Closing date: Friday 25th November 2016

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

Advertising Vacancies on Zoo News Digest

DEPUTY SECTION HEAD CARNIVORES

DEPUTY SECTION HEAD CARNIVORES

Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury, Kent is currently recruiting for Deputy Section Head of Carnivores. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic and self motivated and have at least three years experience within a mainstream zoological collection, preferably working with carnivores in a similar role.

Duties of the role with involve:

- The ability to deputise for the Section Head in his absence.

- Excellent organisational skills.

- Excellent communication skills and report writing.

- The ability to supervise staff and ensure that the section is maintained to the highest

standards in terms of front of house and behind the scenes presentation.

- A proactive approach to work in general.

- A full, clean driving licence.

- Adherence and a good understanding of health and safety requirements of a modern

zoological collection.

- Willingness to be part of our general security team.

Although not essential, the following would be an advantage:

- Experience driving farm machinery.

- Maintenance and machinery skills.

- IT literate.

- Fire arms trained.

Applicants must have a proven track record in a similar position at a recognised zoological collection. They must possess good all round animal husbandry skills and be capable of deputising for the Section Head in his absence.

Working 5 days a week, including weekends and bank holidays, the successful candidate will have a genuinely flexible approach to working hours.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Single person accommodation may be available.

The new closing date is: 14^th November 2016.

To apply: Please email a CV and covering letter to Jasmine Ash -

personnel@aspinallfoundation.org

Please visit our website: www.aspinallfoundation.org to find out more.

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

Advertising Vacancies on Zoo News Digest

Keeper/Presenter

Keeper/Presenter

Part time – 3 – 4 days per week

Fixed Term Contract – 12 months

Tropical Wings Zoo is one of the best interactive zoo attractions in Essex.  We pride ourselves on providing a unique butterfly and animal experience with fun for all age groups.

We are currently looking to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic Keeper/Presenter who has a lifelong passion for all animals.

Main Duties

•        General animal husbandry duties performed to very high standards.

•        Daily encounters requiring good presentation skills.

•        The ability to interact with visitors of all ages.

This interesting and demanding job includes working Bank Holidays and other weekend days if we have special events planned.

Educated to degree level would be desirable but previous animal husbandry experience within a zoological or animal collection is essential. 

Excellent communication skills are required for this role as you will be engaging and presenting to the general public, children and/or young people.

Contact: hr@tropicalwings.co.uk

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

Advertising Vacancies on Zoo News Digest

Tropical House Keeper

Tropical House Keeper

Part time – 2 days per week

Tropical Wings Zoo is one of the best interactive zoo attractions in Essex.  We pride ourselves on providing a unique butterfly and animal experience with fun for all age groups.

We are currently looking to recruit a Tropical House Keeper for our Butterfly House and Tropical Section.  Previous experience is desirable but not essential.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Butterfly House and Tropical Section, including species management of invertebrates, planting and maintenance. 

Your role will ensure that our collection is looked after to the highest standards.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

•        Carry out all essential functions of Animal Keeper/Presenter.

•        Ensure the physiological and psychological maintenance of your animal collection, including health care.

•        With the approval of the Head Keeper, develop the butterfly collection and make suggestions in animal acquisition.

•        Stay alert to new developments in the maintenance and presentation of the animals in your care.

•        Have a special awareness for similar institutions within your field, current developments and new innovations elsewhere.

•        Ensure butterfly stock maintains suitable levels in order to uphold the visual impact of the Tropical House.

The ideal candidate should have a passion or knowledge of butterflies, birds etc.  Horticultural knowledge would be an advantage.

Excellent communication skills are essential within this role as you will be interacting with the general public children and/or young people.

Contact: hr@tropicalwings.co.uk

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

Advertising Vacancies on Zoo News Digest