Zoo Jobs: Section leader (small mammals) (senior keeper)

Section leader (small mammals) (senior keeper)

Paradise Wildlife Park

The Zoological Society of Hertfordshire (ZSH) currently has a vacancy for a senior keeper to join our expanding animal park team, running our small Mammal section at Paradise Wildlife Park.

The small mammal section is responsible for the husbandry of many species, including carnivores such as red pandas, raccoons, coati, skunks, corsac fox, meerkats and Asian short-clawed otters, as well as other small mammals such as tenrec species, Gambian pouched rat and fruit bats. Currently, the section is overseeing the rebuild of the parks’ nocturnal house which will include two new EEP species; bengal slow loris and Rodrigues fruit bats. It is an exciting time for the section with the scope to bring in new species and improve current facilities.

The successful applicant will have an active keeper role and will be responsible for the day to day running of the section, husbandry and welfare, diets and supervision of staff. The applicant will deliver and be responsible for training staff on the delivery of interactive animal experiences for the parks visitors such as keeper talks and 1-1 meet and greets.

Paradise Wildlife Park has a small team of small mammal keepers, cover keepers, interns & volunteers that the section leader will supervise, train and work alongside. The applicant must be very personable and able to communicate well with staff and visitors.

Job details:

Full time; Permanent position

Reports to; Head keepers & Senior management

Hours; Summer 8am-6pm, Winter 8am – 5pm. Includes weekend and bank holiday work on a flexible rotated basis. Flexibility is necessary in this post

Part of a cohesive senior keeper team

Duties and responsibilities include:

Carry out and enforce high standards of welfare and animal husbandry
Ensure up-to-date knowledge of relevant best practice, and statutory regulations, including Health and Safety
Undertake and record animal observations
Carry out high standards of record keeping (incl. ZIMS)
Deliver high standards of visitor interaction in the form of; keeper talks, encounters and experiences
Oversee further training of deputy section leader, keepers, interns and volunteers
Attend and contribute to the regular senior keeper meetings
Consistent communication with head keepers
Liaise and assist in general duties and requirements as directed by senior management
Other duties to support effective and efficient site maintenance may include: fire marshall, first aider, firearms team, company vehicle driver (incl. tractor trailer), litter picking/rubbish removal and general cleaning to maintain high standards (nb - full training will be a given prior to the post holder being required to undertake new tasks)

Requirements:

An animal science related qualification (level 5-6 e.g. DMZAA or degree)
Minimum 5 years full-time experience in a zoological collection. Including experience with a range of species.
Excellent communication and people management skills
Adaptable and flexible for the demands of the rota and section’s needs
Physically fit for the demands of this role
Full UK driving licence

Closing date for applications is: 7th Dec 2017

If you would like the opportunity to join our team please send your CV and cover letter to hr@pwpark.com

This opening will close once a suitable candidate has been selected so please send applications as soon as possible.