Senior Animal Keeper
Battersea Park
Children’s Zoo
Position: Senior Keeper (Full-time / Permanent)
Salary: Dependant on experience
About Us:
Battersea Park
Children’s Zoo is a well-established and expanding family run business and one
of two BIAZA accredited zoos in the company.
We strive for the
highest standards in animal husbandry, conservation and education.
Our mission is to
promote and achieve the conservation of animals and their habitats through
engagement and interaction with our visitors
particularly children.
Battersea Park
Children’s Zoo is a small, friendly, dynamic zoo with a wide range of exotic
and domestic species for its size. Species diversity is the key to any keeper
position here and also passion to work with smaller domestic and exotic zoo
animals.
Overview of Role:
The successful
candidate will be expected to maintain
the highest and current standards of animal welfare and husbandry. Completing daily checks and records of
animals and birds. The role demands the candidate to be capable of supervising
and encouraging junior staff.
This position
welcomes new ideas etc which can be discussed with the Animal Manager and the
Curator of Animals.
Working hours are
40hrs per week on a roster including weekends and Bank Holidays. A flexible attitude to hours is required.
The role is
physically demanding and the candidate should enjoy working outdoors in all
weather conditions.
The candidate will
be working with a variety of animals within a Zoo environment. A working
experience with small primates including cebids and callatrichids is necessary.
Good communication
skills and an ability to connect with our young visitors is an important part
of this job.
A minimum of three
years paid employment within a zoological related position required in a senior
keeper position or above.
Main Duties:
• Assisting and
directing the cleaning of all areas within the zoo.
• Assisting and
directing enclosure/paddock servicing, maintenance and refurbishment.
• A good working
knowledge of current zoo diets for a range of species and the preparation of
approved diets, nutrition and enrichment.
•
Assisting/supervising the carrying out of correct feeding procedures, and
ensuring all zoo keeping staff follow correct diet and enrichment protocols.
• Ensuring that
safety and emergency procedures are followed at all times.
• Assisting where
appropriate with the movement and/or training of animals, “Meet the Animals”
etc. as directed by senior staff.
• Maintaining
courteous and helpful relations with visitors.
• Reporting defects
and repairs required to the Animal Manager or more senior staff.
• Assisting in
various projects related to animal management as directed by senior animal
management staff.
• Covering
the animal manager while they are off duty or not on site.
• Staff
training in relation to keeper husbandry, best practise and all aspects of zoo
welfare and licensing in order to implement the standards required.
Person
Specification:
• Practical
experience of animal management with a range of domestic and exotic species.
• Broad taxonomic
knowledge on a range of species managed within zoological collections.
Particular advantage would be small carnivore, rodent, primate and domestic
stock husbandry.
• Willingness to
work on and learn about evolving husbandry management within zoological
collections to include positive re-enforcement training for behavioural
management and varied methods of enrichment for a range of species.
• Knowledge of
techniques used to handle specific animals e.g.
catch ups for for veterinary procedures.
• Be able to
demonstrate initiative and a pro-active approach to completing tasks beneficial
to the section/department without always waiting to be asked.
• You
will be expected to carry out Keeper Experiences and Meet the Animal sessions
etc.
• Recognised
qualifications will be taken into consideration, but personal drive, passion
for the job, initiative, common sense and a sense of humour will also be
vitally important.
Please note*
• A
full clean manual driving licence is required.
• Accommodation
is not be provided on site.
• London
public transport is an viable option
• No
telephone or Skype interviews, interviews will be held at the Zoo in March
2018.
To Apply:
Applicants
should send their C.V., application form
and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills and why they are
applying for this position and details of availability).
Email : Zoe hr@chestnutcentre.co.uk
Closing Date:
Midnight Friday 23rd February 2018.
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
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