Zoo Jobs: Assistant Curator of Birds and Mammals

Assistant Curator of Birds and Mammals

Beale Park Wildlife Park and Gardens

A unique position has arisen within our small team of animal keeping staff. We are looking for a keen, passionate, enthusiastic person to join our team as assistant curator of birds and mammals. They will aid the curator of birds and mammals in all duties and will take a lead role within the Park. This is a permanent full-time position working 40 hours a week over 7 days on a rota basis which will require some weekends and bank holidays.

Location:

Beale Park is part of the Child Beale Trust and is set within a 38-acre site, which in turn is part of the 350-acre country estate that runs alongside the idyllic setting of the Berkshire countryside and alongside the River Thames.

Responsibilities and duties:

· To maintain a high standard of husbandry care of all bird enclosures, public viewing areas and off show exhibits.

· To prepare and feed the aviary section and cover other sections when required due to days off, holiday, illnesses etc.

· To encourage the reproduction of animals within our collection plan.

· To provide additional animal care if needed, such as incubation, hand-rearing and extra care for sick individuals.

· To provide accurate and up-to-date paper records of behaviours, reproduction, births, deaths, and movements of individuals to be given to the animal registrar.

· To be confident in capturing and restraining of all animals within our collection.

· To be responsible for the correct identification methods such as ringing and ID chips within all sections.

· To provide assistance, training, and supervision of volunteers, work experience, and staff.

· To be confident in public engagement activities and answering queries from members of the public.

Skills and qualifications:

· Full clean driving licence

· Previous experience as section head of birds or similar is essential and must have worked in the environment for a minimum of 8 years.

· Extensive knowledge of avicultural, husbandry, diet and reproduction.

· A good understanding of conservation and education in the modern zoo environment.

· A good level of health and fitness to carry out a heavy workload.

· Must be able to aid in construction work for existing and new exhibits.

· DMZAA or equivalent is preferred but not essential.

· Good verbal and written communication skills

· Computer literate.

· Good organisational and time management skills.

· Ability to work within a team and also use one’s own initiative.

Benefits:

· First Aid training.

· Uniform provided.

· Free parking.

· Four weeks holidays, excluding public holidays (28 days).

· Pension scheme.

Closing date for applications is: 17th Aug 2018

To Apply :

If you would like the opportunity to join our park as the assistant curator of birds and mammals please send your CV and cover letter to louise.clarke@bealepark.org.uk. Do not hesitate to get in touch if you require further information about this position.