Mammal Keeper
Closing date 25th
May 2018
1. Job Purpose
To promote the
Trust's work in the captive breeding of endangered species by working on the
daily management of the animal collection under the direction of the Department
Head or the Deputy Head and by teaching visiting students practical aspects of
animal management, carrying out research and supporting others conducting
research. To develop the Trust's work overseas by contributing to species
recovery programmes.
2. Principal Accountabilities
§ To
maintain high standards of cleanliness in all animal enclosures, public viewing
areas and “off view” facilities;
§ To
prepare and distribute food to the animals, following the prescribed diets;
§ To
ensure the accommodation for animals is maintained to a high standard for the
safety, health and well-being of the animals and for attractive exhibition to
the public;
§ To
monitor the animals carefully for behavioural, reproductive and medical
problems and ensure prompt action is taken to alleviate them;
§ To
encourage, or discourage, the reproduction of the animals according to the
species management plan by identifying and developing reproduction or
contraception techniques;
§ To
assist with the capture and restraint of animals, for enclosure movement,
veterinary examination or export from the collection, while minimising stress
and ensuring the maximum amount of information is collected during each event;
§ To
be responsible for correct techniques, such as ringing and id chip implants,
used to identify animals within the department;
§ To
provide accurate daily records to the Animal Registrar of animal movements,
births, deaths, transactions, reproduction and behaviour to ensure a full set
of data is available for each animal to facilitate future management and
research;
§ To
be up to date on and able to cover for different animal routines to prevent any
breakdown in procedures due to days off, illness, or holiday leave of other
staff members in the department;
§ To
provide assistance, information, training and supervision to visiting students,
ITC trainees and conservation education staff to support DWCT’s training and
education programmes;
§ To
deliver regular public engagement activities, including keeper talks as
required, about the animals on site, providing accurate, current and in-depth
information relating to the breadth of conservation work of the Trust;
§ To
answer queries from volunteers and the visiting public to promote the work of
DWCT;
§ To
adhere to prescribed safety and emergency procedures to ensure the safety of
animals, fellow staff and the visiting public;
§ To
contribute to the development of management strategies for species maintained
at the Trust, including design and modification of accommodation, dietary
modifications, reproduction techniques and research projects to improve the
success of captive breeding programmes;
§ To
propose and carry out original research to further knowledge of species
maintained at the Trust and to provide practical support and specialist advice
to students, researchers or ITC trainees conducting research in the animal
collection;
§ To
propose and, if requested, carry out original field research overseas to
further knowledge of species for which the Trust has developed a species
recovery programme;
§ To
contribute to proposals for initiating recovery programmes in Jersey and
overseas for new species to further the Trust strategy;
§ To
assist senior keepers and department heads in dealing with correspondence from
the public, fellow scientists and other conservation organisations when
required;
§ To
ensure correct export, import and quarantine procedures are followed at the
request of the Animal Registrar and the Zoo Vet and ensure the Zoo Programme
Director is kept informed;
§ To
train and supervise trainee keepers or volunteers assisting in the animal
collection to ensure their safety and that of the animals;
§ To
attend national and international scientific meetings and conferences and to
make presentations of the Trust’s work if requested.
3. Knowledge and skill
§ BSc
(Hons) Zoology or related subject desirable;
§ Wide
knowledge of biology, ecology and captive requirements of animal species for
which post is responsible;
§ A
high level of health and fitness in order to be able to carry heavy loads and
work in extreme outdoor weather conditions;
§ Computer
literacy;
§ Good
verbal and written communication skills;
§ The
ability to work within a department team, both as a team player and using one's
own initiative;
§ Good
organisational and time management skills.
4. Verification
Durrell reserves the
right, if operational requirements make this necessary, to vary your normal
duties on either a short term or an ongoing basis provided that such variations
do not result in any increase to your normal number of working hours per week. Any need to make such a variation will be
discussed with you and confirmed in writing by the Human Resources Department
prior to implementation.
I confirm that the
contents of this job description are a true reflection of the job at today's
date.
All
applicants to visit www.durrell.org/jobs
for more information and an application form.
If they wish to
apply they should email recruitment@durrell.org with a completed application
form, CV and covering letter.
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
