Zoo Jobs: Mammal Keeper

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.