Zoo Jobs: Husbandry and Enrichment Coordinators

Husbandry and Enrichment Coordinators

Laos Conservation Trust for Wildlife

The Laos Conservation Trust for Wildlife is currently seeking two interested individuals to join our onsite team as Husbandry & Enrichment Coordinators.

Couples or friend pairs are welcome to apply.

The Laos Conservation Trust for Wildlife is a non-profit wildlife conservation and rescue centre which is registered in Laos, we are currently the only all-inclusive species rescue centre in Lao PDR.

As a registered foundation in Laos, we work to conserve Laos’ biodiversity by continuing to work with the Lao government authorities.

The LCTW is currently at an exciting stage of development. Here, the successful candidate will be involved with the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release of confiscated and donated animals from the illegal wildlife trade. We provide the highest standard of life-long sanctuary for those who are unsuitable for release and we aid in the care and husbandry improvement of the animals at the Lao Zoo.

Our site is now a beacon and focal point of conservation efforts in Lao PDR.

We house around 500 animals, mostly native to South-east Asia of varying taxa, these include Large Mammals such as Bears, Elephant and Leopard, a variety of Primates, Ungulates, Reptiles, Birds and Small Mammals including wild Canine and Feline species.

The LCTW is committed to conservation on both a regional and global scale, we are working alongside other wildlife organisations and the Lao government to aid in biodiversity conservation efforts.

Our future education programmes will utilise our unique placement in Laos to provide access to knowledge for Lao people about how they can help to conserve Laos’ incredible biodiversity.

For more information about our project, visit http://lctwildlife.org

To see the centre in our mini documentary, visit https://youtu.be/hcI5VfJDOkk

The Role

The role of Husbandry and Enrichment Coordinator is a very hands-on role, working in our centre with rescued wildlife. You will have an active role in rehabilitating rescued wildlife, ready for a life back in the wild. This includes the daily husbandry and provision of enrichment to wildlife onsite, getting involved in construction and maintenance projects in the Lao Zoo, as well as some administration duties.

Planning and implementation of projects onsite is a large part of this role, initiative and creativity is encouraged to provide our wildlife with the best possible standard of welfare.

This role also includes the opportunity to train and guide our volunteers who come on our Husbandry & Enrichment programme, as well as Animal Studies programme. You will have chance to educate and guide volunteers who are crucial to the success of our project.

The admin duties for the volunteer programme are also part of this role, including managing bookings, corresponding with prospective volunteers, contacting new volunteer partners, universities and travel companies.

The role will evolve and grow as the successful candidates develop with it and initiative is very much encouraged. Our conservation and education programmes will continue to go from strength to strength and our H&E Coordinator will be required to help drive this.

Essential

• Previous experience of wildlife husbandry in a captive setting

• Experience of leading and working with volunteers and guests in a wildlife setting

• Some construction skills and a great understanding of enrichment

• A good understanding of Microsoft programmes and computer literacy

• Excellent communication and reporting skills ensuring our team operates efficiently

• Full driving license from your native country

• Fluency of written and spoken English

• A high level of understanding working safely and leading others to work safely with wildlife

• Willing to commit to at least 1 year to this role

• Creative and positive attitude

Desirable

• Self–driven, able to work in challenging conditions and culturally sensitive

• Experience working with South-east Asian wildlife

• Experience of living rurally with a small amount of amenities

• Knowledge and previous usage of ZIMS or a similar online records system (ARKS, SPARKS, MedARKS)

• An understanding of fundraising in the non-profit wildlife sector

• Self–driven, able to work in challenging conditions and culturally sensitive

• Some Lao and/or Thai language skills

Onsite accommodation, with 2 cooked meals per day and breakfast supplies will be provided with the role. This role offers 5 days off per month, a competitive regional salary with paid holiday days, plus Lao national holidays. The LCTW will provide the successful candidate with a 1 year rolling business visa, all business travel expenses and a Lao driving license, after a 3-month probationary period.

Our base centre is located in Ban Keun, around a 1 hour drive north of Vientiane, the capital of Lao PDR. We are fairly rural but our local town has various amenities such as pharmacies, markets, shops, ATMs and a lovely local resort to spend time on days off.

We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible, suitable candidates will be contacted for a Skype interview.

Does this sound like your dream job? If you would like to help us conserve and rescue wildlife in Laos, please send CV along with a covering letter to info@lctwildlife.org

Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.