Zoo Jobs: Keeper – Giraffes

Keeper – Giraffes

Permanent - 40 hours per week

We are Chester Zoo, and for over 80 years we’ve been a leading conservation and education charity, and an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction.

We’re also a team of passionate, talented, enthusiastic and expert people, doing everything we can to keep the zoo going, from feeding the animals to discovering new conservation ideas, and giving our 1.9 million visitors an inspirational day out.

We work hard because we love animals, we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and we want to be the best zoo in the world!

If you think you can help us to achieve that, then we’d love to hear from you.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Keeper to join our Giraffe team on a permanent basis. For the right candidate, this post offers a fantastic opportunity to work with one of the largest ex situ breeding groups of Rothschild’s giraffes, as well as many other exciting species on the section from Babirusa to Okapi.

Chester Zoo aims to set a benchmark for animal welfare and the successful candidate must be able to deliver an excellent level of animal husbandry, care and welfare for the assigned mammals; ensuring that all enclosures and facilities are maintained to the highest possible standards.

The role will involve delivering personalised animal experiences to small groups of visitors in both public zoo spaces, behind the scenes and in animal enclosures. These encounters generate revenue for the zoo, and so guests are hosted to the highest standards of customer care and service in accordance with risk assessments, Health and Safety regulations and animal welfare.

The successful candidate will have:

• A HND or degree level qualification in a zoological related science or equivalent experience

• Proven experience in the care and management of a wide variety of mammal species on this section, as well as the highest standards of exhibitry

• Outstanding observational skills with an excellent attention to detail

• Experience implementing environmental enrichment and working within strict Safe Working Practices

• Experience of implementing guest experiences to a very high standard

• A full driving licence valid in the UK

Competency in the use of computers and basic software packages, including ZIMS software, would be advantageous for this role in order to maintain accurate records.

Hours of work are 40 hours per week, worked 10 days out of 14, including weekends and Bank Holidays as rostered.

The salary for this position is £20,886.68 per annum based on 40 hours per week and in addition we offer a range of amazing benefits which can be found at http://www.chesterzoo.org/footer/careers/working-at-chester-zoo.

To apply for this position, please go to http://www.chesterzoo.org/careers and click apply now to provide your current CV and complete the application form highlighting your skills and experience including why you believe you should be considered for our Keeper role.

Closing date for applications is Sunday 28th October 2018