Zoo Jobs: Experienced Animal Keeper

Experienced Animal Keeper - Hoofstock Section

Howletts Wild Animal Park is a world class wildlife park supporting the international conservation charity The Aspinall Foundation, which runs a number of overseas conservation projects. We are home to a collection of rare and endangered Hoofstock, including Black Rhino, Roan Antelope and Bongo Antelope – all of which we have reintroduction projects for. Other species on the section include Red River Hog, Giant Anteater, Asian deer and Capybara.

Howletts Wild Animal Park in Canterbury, Kent is recruiting for the position of Experienced Hoofstock Keeper, working 5 days per week 8am – 5pm.

The main duties will involve:

· Observing the behavior, health and security of animals and reporting any problems

· Ensuring the correct diets are prepared and distributed

· Cleaning and maintaining enclosures

· Ensuring that safety and emergency procedures are followed at all times

· Maintaining courteous and helpful relations with visitors

· Assisting with the movement and transport of animals

· Maintaining good and detailed communication at all levels, including veterinary and other animal collections

· Contributing to the enrichment of the species on the section

· Representing the parks at seminars and conferences.

· Supervision and training of less experienced staff and supervision of volunteers and interns

· Section management on occasion.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience with ungulates in a mainstream zoological collection, an awareness of current conservation issues and a genuine passion for animal welfare. They must possess excellent all round animal husbandry skills and be enthusiastic in contributing to the enrichment of the Hoofstock species around the park. A relevant animal management qualification or similar would be advantageous. You must hold a full valid driving licence, and experience of driving agricultural vehicle is an advantage.

A practical and proactive approach coupled with good organisation and communication skills and an overall understanding of the role of the modern animal collection is essential. This is a physically demanding job and duties will include heavy lifting, as well as enclosure maintenance and browse cutting.

Working 40 hours per week, including weekends and bank holidays, the successful candidate will have a genuinely flexible approach to working hours.

Salary £8.91 to £9.47 per hour (£18,533 to £19,703) depending on experience. If on-site accommodation is not available or required then a living out allowance is also offered.

To Apply: Please email your full C.V. and covering letter to – personnel@aspinallfoundation.org

All applicants must have right to work in the UK. Closing date: Friday 4 June 2021

PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION FOR POSTING OUT YOUR VACANCY

Just click on the donate button at the top left of this page

ZooNews Digest/Zoo Jobs has operated as a free service to the zoo and aquarium community for over thirty years. It reaches the more people in the Zoo/Aquarium/Wildlife sphere than others.

In its present Blog format it has posted over 4,103+ vacancies which received 67,578,27+ visits.

Your vacancy posted out on the Zoo Jobs Blog goes to 129,400+ Followers on the ZooNews Digest Facebook page, 8,700+ Zoo/Aquarium interest connections on Linkedin as well as others on Twitter and Pinterest.

I know I reach the right people.