Trainee Animal Keeper (Birds)

Twycross Zoo

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East Midland Zoological Society has been running Twycross Zoo for almost 60 years in the heart of England. Twycross Zoo is an award-winning conservation and science-led zoo. We are rapidly growing, and pre-Covid, were welcoming over 600,000 people every year to our 100-acre rural site.

We are an ambitious organisation keen to drive the conservation and scientific aspects of the zoo to new heights as well as optimising on commercial advantages. We are the only zoo in the UK to house all 4 great apes - Gorilla, Orangutan, Bonobo and Chimpanzee - and we care for some of the most endangered animals to the highest welfare standards, including an extensive primate collection plus tiger, leopard, giraffe, rhino, penguin, flamingo, and giant tortoise represented.

The Role – Trainee Animal Keeper (Birds)

As a Trainee Animal Keeper, you’ll benefit from regular supervision following structured training at the outset, caring for the animals in our Birds section. This section looks after a wide range of species including Parrots, Penguins, Flamingos, and Owls and also includes Reptiles, Inverts and Amphibians.

You’ll assist in ensuring that animal keeping is carried out to the Zoo’s required standards, with duties to include although not be limited to:

· Preparing and distributing food and water to animals, in quantities and manner as guided by Senior Keepers

· Learning about the animals and reporting any animal health concerns to the Senior Keepers

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

· Answering enquiries from the public in a helpful and polite manner and delivering visitor encounters

Our Requirements – Trainee Animal Keeper (Birds)

· Some experience caring for domestic and / or exotic animals, ideally with prior experience in a zoo, and / or working with Birds

· Achieved or willing to work towards an appropriate animal related qualification

· Ability to demonstrate a responsible and enthusiastic approach to the work

· A passion for the Zoo’s work and purpose

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills

· A flexible approach to duties and working hours

· Due to our location, you will need to have a way of getting to us under your own steam without reliance on public transport

The Package

Staff engagement is at the very core of what we do. We are committed to the fundamental approach of equal opportunities in employment.

As a Trainee Animal Keeper, you’ll benefit from:

· A salary of £19,922

· Permanent contract with full time hours, working on average 5 days out of 7 between the hours of 8am and 6pm in the Summer and 8am and 5pm in the Winter.

· 31 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)

· A staff membership card giving you free entry to Twycross Zoo on your days off

· Complimentary Twycross Zoo ticket allowance for friends and family

· Free access to other BIAZA zoos and aquariums (Covid-19 dependent)

· 25% discount in the Twycross Zoo gift shop

· 10% discount in Twycross Zoo food and beverage outlets

· Free onsite parking

· Access to work counselling services

· Fun staff events (Covid-19 dependent)

· The chance to work in an amazing location

· Plus more!

More about Twycross Zoo:

Over the last 8 years we have opened a new gibbon island complex, a multi-million-pound chimpanzee area, built a new tiger habitat and a new rhino area and welcomed our largest visitor numbers ever in 2019. We launched our Tz2030Vision in late 2019 which sets out the developments for the next 10 years including a National Science and Conservation Centre.

Covid has hit us hard but with great teamwork and restructuring only put development plans on hold for a year so we are emerging with a renewed energy to restart and continue our growth and success.

You’ll be part of an evolving and progressive organisation at Twycross Zoo East Midland Zoological Society. We can promise a challenging and supportive workplace where your expertise is valued, and change is a constant! Our organisation strives to educate and inspire everyone to care about, and therefore help save, the other species with which we share our planet.