Living Wetland Theatre Presenter Trainer

Living Wetland Theatre Presenter Trainer

WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

37.5 hours per week working 5 days from 7 to include weekends and bank holidays

£16,753 - £17,635 per annum

Slimbridge Wetland Centre is working with the Heritage Lottery Fund on a major development project, which will change how we inspire our visitors. As part of the development we are creating a Living Wetland Theatre to engage audiences in free flying bird demonstrations. We are looking for an enthusiastic bird trainer/presenters to form part of the presentation team.

The successful candidate will work alongside our Living Collections Deputy Manager and Living Wetland Theatre Supervisor with wetland bird species including magpie geese and pink backed pelicans. Birds are being trained using positive reinforcement methods and free flight is already underway with some of the theatre species. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to be involved with a cutting edge display from early in the developmental process. The ideal candidate will have experience of working within the animal industry, preferably with birds, and some experience or a strong interest in animal  training.

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) is a conservation charity that protects wetlands for wildlife and people. We conserve, restore and create wetlands. We  are pioneers in saving wetland wildlife, both in the UK and around the world. At our 10 UK sites around a million visitors a year engage with wetland nature. We work internationally in key global wetland areas, balancing conservation with sustainable livelihoods and influencing national and international conservation policies.

In return for your hard work and dedication you’ll enjoy a wide range of benefits including:

- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service

- Contributory pension scheme (conditions apply)

- Life assurance

- Free parking

- Cycle to work scheme

- Free entry to all our centres

For more information, and to apply for the role, please visit

http://jobs.wwt.org.uk/vacancies/1139/ZooNewsDig/living_wetland_theatre_presenter_trainer/

Closing date: 17th March 2019

Interview date: 26th March 2019

Registered Charity Number England & Wales, no 1030884 and Scotland, no SC039410

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +66 (0) 93 0835 862 | elvinhow@gmail.com https://iizc.org/ | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Operations Manager - Blue Iguana Recovery Programme

Operations Manager - Blue Iguana Recovery Programme

Blue Iguana Recovery Programme

Job Description: Operations Manager

Work hours: Because this position involves care for living animals, work must be ongoing.  40 hours per week is expected including Sunday mornings, and Public Holidays. Work hours must be flexible to meet changing programme needs and may extend out of normal working times.

Reporting: Operations Manager reporting into the Environmental Programmes Manager and their absence into the Executive Director of the National Trust.

Duties:

The Operations manager position is centered around care of the iguanas in the Programme’s captive breeding and head-starting facility at the QEII Botanic Park, but work extends to many other aspects of the Programme, requiring adaptability and diverse skills.

Core responsibilities include:

• Managing the Field Officers and Wardens as well as helping to clean enclosures, including removal and disposal of uneaten food and droppings
• Collecting sufficient food daily to feed the captive iguanas, preparing the food mixture, distributing fresh food and water
• Maintaining unique identification for all iguanas through external cage and pen labeling and implanted PIT tag technology
• Managing and monitoring captive iguana pairings through the breeding season, and retrieving eggs for incubation
• Guiding tours of the facility and the iguanas in the Park, with associated logistics and supplies tasks
• Routine preventative maintenance and repair of the captive facility and its grounds
• Control of non-native pests which threaten the iguanas (especially fire ants, rats, cats and dogs) at the facility and/or Park
• Monitoring of the condition of all the captive iguanas, with reporting and emergency response as needed in event of injury, escape, illness or other threat
• Monitoring of free roaming released iguanas in the QEII Botanic Park and surrounds
• Recruiting and supervising volunteers to assist with all aspect of this work
• Attract, motivate and build a steady volunteer base
• Carrying out blue iguana releases in the Salina’s and Collier’s reserves. Periodic trail clearance and wild population patrols in the reserves are often required.
• Submitting monthly reports to record key activities, including tours numbers.
• Organize and track employee time spent fulfilling ongoing grant requirements

 Additionally, Manager is required to assist with other aspects of the programme, such as field research and monitoring outside the Park, representing the programme at public events, writing material and taking photographs for the programme’s website, logistics for visiting volunteers and specialists, distributing retail products, administrative tasks and record keeping, and covering essential duties for other staff when necessary.

Preferred Qualifications/ Experience:

• A science-based university degree, OR solid highly relevant hands on experience with West Indian Rock Iguanas preferred
• Must have a strong interest in the natural environment, with the ability to work outdoors, including physically demanding work in severely harsh natural areas
• Experience with dealing with the general public
• Friendly outgoing personality to design and conduct tours, as well as to motivate and build a steady volunteer base.
• Practical maintenance skills, a high degree of computer literacy, relevant experience with non-profit wildlife conservation work and outreach.
• First Aid qualifications
• Must be a self-motivated worker, who can work well with a small team.
• Reliable work attendance and performance is absolutely essential for the wellbeing of the animals.
• A clean, valid driving license is necessary and must have access to own vehicle and cell-phone for work purposes.

Pay and benefits:

Basic salary is CI$33,000 to CI$37,500 per year depending on experience and qualifications, paid monthly, less statutory (Pension and health) contributions. 20 days holiday. All applications to be submitted to director@nationaltrust.org.ky 

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +66 (0) 93 0835 862 | elvinhow@gmail.com https://iizc.org/ | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Seasonal Animal Keeper - Trainees

Seasonal Animal Keeper - Trainees

Edinburgh Zoo

Contract:        35 hours per week (FTC for 12 weeks)

Are you passionate about animals and have experience of working within a zoo keeping role? We’re looking for Seasonal Animal Keeper – Trainees Assistants to join our dynamic team at Edinburgh Zoo. Recruitment for our 2019 season is now open!

As the busy Easter and Summer periods approach we are currently seeking pro-active and enthusiastic Seasonal Animal Keeper – Trainees to join our team during these busy periods. If you are passionate about animals and have experience of working within a zoo keeping role then we would like to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing…

There are all sorts of jobs to be done at Edinburgh Zoo to help keep this unique and wonderful place going.  Our Seasonal Animal Keeper – Trainees can enjoy a wide range of fun and exciting responsibilities, and these physical hands-on role in a busy animal park include:

•        Feeding, cleaning, maintaining and presenting the enclosures and general care and welfare of the animals and these tasks will involve bending and lifting.

•        Carry out or assist with associated tasks, including record keeping and interacting with our visitors.

•        A working knowledge of ZIMS, SPARKS and other zoo management systems would be desirable.

What you’ll need…

We’re looking for positive team players with excellent communication skills, who are able to demonstrate a quality approach to their work. To operate effectively in this role, practical experience in a zoo or animal-related environment is highly desirable and experience of working with a wide range of animal taxon groups is also desirable.  You must also have up-to-date basic knowledge and understanding of zoo legislation and best practice, along with a sound basis of practical knowledge and good animal management skills.  A full UK driving license is desirable.

These roles are 12-week fixed term roles where the working hours are 35 hours per week and the posts will involve weekend and occasional evening work. Any offer of employment is subject to satisfactory references, evidence of qualifications, right to work in the UK and Basic Disclosure Scotland check prior to commencement.

What you’ll get in return…

We care for our people just as much as we look after our animals and visitors. As well as the fundamental benefits like salary and a Work Place pension, we offer other rewards that can help you financially, can make work a bit easier and make life outside of work a lot more fun!  We offer more than everyday job satisfaction - as well as our wonderful animals we have a highly professional, diverse and friendly staff community too.  So, in working for RZSS you've not only got a great job in a very interesting organisation - you're also part of an amazing cause too!

Interested?

To apply, please complete a RZSS application form
https://www.rzss.org.uk/job-vacancies/animal-keeper-trainee  and recruitment monitoring form and email it to recruitment@rzss.org.uk. Postal applications may also be sent to:  The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, HR Team, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS.

Closing date: Sunday 24 March 2019 with interviews likely to take place week commencing 8th April 2019.

Due to the level of interest in these positions, we are not able to contact each unsuccessful applicant individually. Therefore, if you have not been contacted by Friday 5 April 2019, please assume that you have been unsuccessful this time.

Connecting people with nature. Safeguarding species from extinction. We are the Royal Zoological Society for Scotland (RZSS), and for over 100 years we’ve been a leading conservation and education charity as well as an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction. We’ve been a charity since our founding in 1909 and maintain a keen commercial edge to ensure a sustainable, bright and exciting future. Through our two sites, RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, we provide unique and memorable experiences and engage over 750,000 visitors per year in the wonders of the natural world, taking care of over 1,000 rare and endangered animals in safe and stimulating surroundings.  The RZSS strives to be an equal opportunities employer. Registered Charity SC004064

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +66 (0) 93 0835 862 | elvinhow@gmail.com https://iizc.org/ | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Visitor Attraction Manager

Visitor Attraction Manager

Plantasia – Swansea

Salary £35 - £40k (depending on experience)

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic visitor attraction manager for the newly refurbished Plantasia indoor rainforest and zoo located in the heart of Swansea in South West Wales.

Plantasia has recently benefited from a £1m refurbishment and will be ready to be re-launched and reopened in mid April 2019. The ‘new’ Plantasia builds on the success and attraction of the rainforest and animal collection, adding new visitor interactions, a new image and brand inviting visitors to grow their imagination learning about the rainforest, conservation and the environment through innovative and immersive experiences.

You will be expected to lead and develop the current team as well as recruit new team members as required, to manage the day to day operation, set and achieve financial targets relating to visitor numbers and food and beverage and retail sales, lead on marketing and deliver the overall success of the site.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a manager wishing take the next step in visitor attraction management and wishing to develop their career within a forward looking and specialist leisure management company.

Please send your cover letter and CV to recruitment@parkwood-holdings.co.uk

Closing Date: 14 March 2019

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +66 (0) 93 0835 862 | elvinhow@gmail.com https://iizc.org/ | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Animal Keeper – Birds and Explorer Section

Animal Keeper – Birds and Explorer Section

Based in the heart of England, Twycross Zoo (TZ) is an award-winning conservation charity and rapidly growing visitor attraction. We’re committed to supporting global welfare and conservation efforts in the captive breeding of endangered species whilst supporting projects from many different countries around the world, including Ape Action Africa, Lola Ya Bonobo and the FFI Cao Vit Gibbon Project.

In 2014, we launched our 20-year, £55million Masterplan. Since this time, new habitats which have opened to the public include Giraffe Savannah and Gibbon Forest. Recently, we’ve opened a new £3.5 million world-class chimpanzee habitat, Chimpanzee Eden, and are looking forward to building on this continued growth and success. As part of our Masterplan development programme, other investments have also included new habitats and renovations such as Lorikeet Landing, a Lemur walk-through and Butterfly Forest, all of which offer our visitors an immersive and inspiring experience with the animals.

At TZ you’ll be part of an evolving and progressive organisation, with staff engagement at its very core. We offer a diverse range of roles and are committed to the fundamental approach of equal opportunities in employment. Our team strives to educate and inspire everyone to care about, and therefore contribute to saving, the other species with which we share our planet.

With our dedicated and enthusiastic team of colleagues at the heart of everything we do, we aim to become a recognised “Centre of Excellence” that continues to make a significant contribution to the welfare and conservation of animals, especially primates, and remain at the heart of conservation.

What will this role of Animal Keeper entail?

You’ll play a key role in caring for the animals in the Birds and Explorer section of Twycross Zoo, working with a wide variety of Bird species including Owls, Flamingos, Penguins and Parrots. The section also includes Reptiles, Inverts and Domestics. Your duties will include but not be limited to;

• Preparing and distributing food and water to animals

• Learning about the animals and reporting any animal health concerns to the Section Head

• Assisting with maintaining enclosures and public viewing areas ensuring a high standard of hygiene, cleanliness and exhibition

• Answering enquiries from the public in a helpful and polite manner, delivering encounters and assisting with public events

• Motivating and encouraging colleagues, and assisting with the development of Trainee Keepers and providing guidance to work experience students and apprentices

What will I need to be considered for this Animal Keeper vacancy?

• At least 3 years’ experience of animal keeping, caring for domestics, birds, inverts and reptiles within a zoo or similar environment

• An appropriate animal related qualification is essential

• Superb knowledge of animals that will be within your regular care and all responsible work practices relevant to zoonotic diseases

• A passion for the Zoo’s work and purpose

• Willing to be trained as a first aider and to be on call as part of the Zoo's first aid duty rota

• A flexible approach to duties and working hours

Please note, whilst Twycross Zoo is an equal opportunities employer, the successful applicant will need to be physically fit due to the nature and demands of the role.

What will I receive in return?

As an Animal Keeper you’ll receive a salary of £18,895, along with fantastic additional benefits including 31 days holiday per annum (inclusive of bank holidays), along with the benefit of a staff membership card, giving you free entry to the Zoo on your days off and discounts in our retail and food outlets. Free onsite parking.

Contract: Permanent, working average of 43 hours over 5 days out of 7 between the hours of 8am to 5pm during the winter months, and 8am to 6pm for the remainder of the year.

Location: Atherstone, Warwickshire (on the A444, which is easily accessed via the A5 and the M42 Junction 11).

To apply for this position, please head over to http://jobs.twycrosszoo.org, where you will be able to select this role and submit your CV for consideration. 

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +66 (0) 93 0835 862 | elvinhow@gmail.com https://iizc.org/ | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Bird Keeper

Bird Keeper

Job title:  Bird Keeper

Salary:  19,303 – 20,794 dependent on experience and qualifications

Full-time: 38.75 hours per week

Permanent

Description

Newquay Zoo, a registered scientific and education charity, has an exciting opportunity for a hardworking, dedicated, enthusiastic and reliable qualified keeper to join our team. You will be responsible for the hands-on day-to-day husbandry of our animal collection, focusing on animal welfare, bio-security, record keeping and ensuring that exhibits are maintained to the highest standards

You will have at least 2 years of prior experience working in a zoological collection or similar establishment and will have completed the DMZAA course or will have over 4 years’ experience.

You will have a broad knowledge of the husbandry requirements of a variety of avian species. You will be a team player yet also able to work on your own initiative. You will be confident speaking to guests and responding to their questions. Duties will include daily observations of individual animals and completion of relevant records.

A full driving license is essential.

The post is for 38.75 hours per week, which may include weekends and Bank Holidays.

Newquay Zoo offers the following benefits (after probationary period):

•        28 days paid holiday pro rata (inclusive of Bank Holidays) rising to 33 days pro rata after 5 years

•        Defined contribution pension scheme

•        Company sick pay

•        Branded uniform provided (as required)

•        Relevant internal and external training provided

•        Free entry to our 3 zoos for staff and immediate family

•        Complimentary tickets

•        Discounts in our Catering and Retail outlets (as applicable)

•        Free staff parking

Who to apply to and how:  Online Application form         available on our website: www.newquayzoo.org.uk/about/vacancies

Closing date:  Monday 11th March

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +66 (0)93 0835 862 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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