Animal Keeper

Battersea Park Children's Zoo

About Us:

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo is a well established and expanding family run business. Battersea is one of two BIAZA accredited zoos within our partnership. We strive for the highest standards in animal husbandry, conservation and education.

Our mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats through engagement and interaction with the public, particularly young children.

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo promotes and champions the smaller more child friendly species within the beautiful and historic setting of Battersea park. We endeavour to inspire young people to take an interest in the natural world.

Overview of Role:

We are seeking an animal Keeper to work with a wide range of species within our Zoo. The successful candidate will be expected to ensure high standards of animal welfare, animal husbandry and keep daily checks and records of animals within all sections.

Working hours are 40hrs per week, worked within a roster which includes regular weekends and bank holiday’s, so flexibility regarding hours is crucial.

The role is physically demanding and our site is mainly outdoors, so ability to deal with all weathers essential.

Applicants must have a passion for working with a variety of animals within a Zoo environment however experience with primates and small exotic species as well as stock handling in an agricultural setting is desirable. Good communication skills and experience of dealing with the public is essential, together with the ability to work effectively within a small team.

A sustained period of paid employment, interning or volunteering within a U.K. accredited zoological collection or animal related position required.

Main Duties:

• Assisting as instructed with the cleaning of all areas within the zoo.

• Assisting as instructed with enclosure/paddock servicing.

• Assisting under instruction with the preparation of approved diets.

• Assisting under instruction/supervision the carrying out of correct feeding procedures where this is deemed appropriate by the Animal Manager.

• Ensuring that safety and emergency procedures are followed at all times.

• Assisting where appropriate with the movement and/or training of animals, “Meet the Animals” etc. as directed by senior staff.

• Maintaining courteous and helpful relations with visitors.

• Reporting defects and repairs required to the Animal Manager or more senior staff.

• Assisting in various projects related to animal management as directed by senior animal management staff.

Person Specification:

• Practical experience of animal management with a range of domestic and exotic species including primates.

• Broad taxonomic knowledge on a range of species managed within zoological collections.

• Willingness to work on and learn about evolving husbandry management within zoological collections to include positive re-enforcement training for behavioural management and varied methods of enrichment for a range of species.

• Knowledge of techniques used to handle specific animals should capture or veterinary procedures require this.

• Be able to demonstrate initiative and a pro-active approach to completing tasks beneficial to the section/department without always waiting to be asked.

· Keeper experiences, children’s birthday parties and public engagement particularly with younger children are an essential part of our business, we are very customer focused so please make sure you are.

Please note*

· Accommodation will not be provided on site.

· Public transport is an easy option for those seeking this position.

· We do not hold telephone or Skype interviews; all interviews will be held at the Zoo.

Closing date for applications is: 31st Mar 2021

To Apply:

Please email hr@chestnutcentre.co.uk For an application form and then return the completed form along with your C.V. and covering letter to the above email address.

Reach the right people. Advertise here.

This vacancy has been posted out to the many thousands who read the popular Zoo Jobs Blog Page and then on to the 129,400 plus followers of the ZooNews Digest Facebook Page. It is then immediately forwarded on to Twitter and then to Pinterest and Linkedin (8,000+ connections). Many vacancies are shared to individuals and groups. In short your vacancy will have the potential of reaching something in the region of some 80,000 plus people within 24 hours. Most of these people are working in a zoo environment, Keepers, Curators, Vets, Zoo Directors, Trainers, Aquarists and more.

ZooNews Digest has subscribers in over 1200 Zoos in 150+ countries. Zoo professionals are International.

The number of people who will actually read the posted vacancy will actually be considerably less. Usually this will be between two hundred and three thousand. This will depend on the type of post, the time of the year and where it is located…of course not all will apply. I wish you the very best of luck in finding the right candidate for your post.

To make a donation to help with the continuation of the work of ZooNews Digest please click on the DONATE button on top left of this page. Thank you. I will be most grateful. elvinhow@gmail.com