Qualified Keeper
(Small mammals)
Wildwood Trust
Job Description
Key purpose of
the job:
Following a recent re-structure, the
small mammal section has been developed to focus on the husbandry and
conservation of a range of small mammal species across Wildwood. Species within
the section include, but are not restricted to red squirrels, polecats, badgers,
beavers and mink.
The role will support and develop
section specific best practice protocols for the management of small mammals at
Wildwood. Follow and develop procedures in relation to all aspects of animal
husbandry. Mentor trainee keepers and enable them to develop their husbandry
skills across a range of small mammal species. You will contribute to and
collaborate with our conservation team with species of conservation focus.
There is the opportunity to work towards senior keepership.
Responsibility
for Resources
People
No line management but will be
required to mentor and guide Seasonal and Volunteer Keepers or trainee staff
Other
- Plant, machinery, equipment, materials
and products
- Everyday access and responsibility
regarding the safe use of appropriate machinery and section equipment.
- Confidentiality
- Ability to apply appropriate judgement
when discussing Wildwood matters including information on our animals and
staff. This includes social media updates
- Animals
- Every day care and husbandry of the
animals within the allocated section
Main duties and
key responsibilities
- Assist with the preparation of approved
diets and carrying out the correct feeding procedures
- Maintain high standards of hygiene,
equipment care and house-keeping as routine part of daily duties.
- Contribute to the development of high standards
of husbandry and welfare, supporting the development of innovative,
enriching and aesthetic enclosures with the team.
- Demonstrate developing knowledge of
husbandry, exhibition, diet, reproduction aqnd conservation of specific
species. Take responsibility for furthering your knowledge by
liaising with experienced colleagues, or those with specific knowledge of
different species. Utilise other Wildwood and external resources such as
the conservation department, zoological collections or guest presenters to
develop knowledge.
- To be able to effectively and
respectfully communicate to colleagues of all levels, communicating any
significant events to senior colleagues.
- Assisting Living Collection colleagues,
with veterinary, training, behaviour, enrichment and other relevant animal
related procedures
- Present relevant material at conferences
or in media based situations as required.
- Present keeper talks as requested
- Familiarity and compliance with all
health and safety protocols and documentation. This includes emergency
procedures, risk assessment and safe working practices.
- Support positive visitor experiences by
answering questions in a friendly and helpful manner, ensuring that
visitors leave with a good impression of the Living Collections team and
Wildwood as an experience. Demonstrate knowledge of the role of a modern
animal collection in terms of conservation, research and education.
- As requested by the Head keeper or
assistant head keeper, or other departments support broader Wildwood
activities such as late evening/ weekend functions, animal encounters, PR
photo calls/filming, VIP encounters, Keeper for a Day, and other Wildwood
events.
- Inputting animal records and data onto
daily record sheets and the ZIMS database etc.
- Support internal communication through
presenting work to internal Wildwood colleagues at appropriate forums. Be
collaborative with all Wildwood departments and within the wider zoo
community.
Building
relationships
- Communication is needed frequently with
colleagues to relay issues, solutions and information required for the
daily records.
- Actively engage in discussion and express
your ideas and thoughts in team meetings that can develop the sections
goals.
- Familiarity with other Wildwood
departments and an awareness of department protocol when needing to
contact other teams.
- Some media work may be required which
will involve speaking confidently and comprehensively.
Mental Demands
- Problems are mainly solved in conjunction
with other Keepers on section with some problems requiring action
immediately without consultation with others.
Flexibility
- Flexibility is needed as requested by the
Head keeper, in animal care emergencies. This may mean long hours are
sometimes a necessity and coming into work on days off.
Working Conditions
- This post will require extensive outside
working with direct exposure to the weather and animals
Expectations of
job holder
- To ensure that the policy for equality
and diversity is adhered to and promoted in all aspects of the post
holder’s work.
- To ensure effective quality control and
continuous improvement in all aspects of the work and responsibilities
attached to this post.
- Demonstrate professionalism towards
sensitive and confidential information.
- To comply with and promote Health and
Safety policies and procedures and to undertake recommended Health and
Safety training as and when necessary.
- To be committed to professional self-development,
through participation in in-service training as necessary for the
successful carrying out of the job.
- To undertake such other duties as are
commensurate with the grade of the post.
NB: This job description is
designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered. It is
not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in
consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in the job or the
organisation.
Person
Specification
Qualifications
& Experience
- Practical experience of working with a
range of small mammals.
- Skills and knowledge specific to the
animal husbandry, management and care.
- Diploma in the Management of Zoo and
Aquarium Animals (DMZAA) qualification (or equivalent) is compulsory for
this role.
- For internal appointment to have passed
the qualified keeper attributes.
Knowledge
- Familiarity and compliance with all
health and safety protocols and documentation. This includes emergency
procedures, risk assessment and safe working practices. Ability to
instruct trainee keepers, volunteers and other section guests in the
above.
- Broad taxonomic knowledge on a range of
species managed within zoological collections but particularly native
species
- Knowledge of husbandry, exhibition, diet
and reproduction. Take responsibility for furthering your knowledge by
liaising with senior colleagues, or those with specific knowledge of
different species. Utilise other Wildwood trust resources and departments
and explore opportunities for furthering knowledge.
- Understanding of behavioural enrichment
and conditioning programs and an understanding of their importance in the
role of husbandry.
- Knowledge of techniques used to handle
specific animals should catch ups or veterinary procedures require this.
- Acceptable pass rate at the qualified
keeper competencies interview. To be maintained at appraisal
Skills &
Abilities
- Ability to manage daily designated duties
and an awareness of who to contact, and the appropriate method, should
assistance be required.
- Ability to demonstrate initiative and a
pro-active approach to completing tasks beneficial to the section/department.
- Ability to clearly follow instructions on
tasks requested to be carried out by the section manager.
- Flexibility is required in order to
support the broader zoological collection as well as the post holder’s
specific section.
- Working with animals requires detailed
levels of concentration on both noting animal behaviour and changes to
behaviour as well as remembering to lock doors and close slides. The
ability to tell others of your need to concentrate at specific times if
disrupted.
- An ability to carry out agreed veterinary
treatments accurately as determined by veterinary staff, administering
correct doses and recording appropriately for colleagues to acknowledge.
Interpersonal
Skills
- Ability to apply appropriate judgement
when discussing Wildwood matters and will not discuss commercially
sensitive issues without advice from senior staff.
- Ability to effectively and respectfully
communicate to colleagues of all levels, advising trainee keepers and
communicating any significant events to senior colleagues as well as an
ability to interact with visitors in a helpful and engaging manner.
- Ability to mentor and support junior
members of staff and volunteers as required.
- An ability to work as part of a team as
well as an individual to complete section tasks.
- Build positive relationships with staff
in other departments.
- Maintain a presentable appearance through
following uniform and clothing policy.
Other
Requirements
- Ability to adhere to best practice within
the section. To support the section in ensuring agreed standards of work
are met.
- Animal work frequently requires
individuals to work outside of normal working hours if for example
specific levels of care are required. Therefore, a flexible approach in
terms of working hours is required.
- Working indoors in artificially high
&/or humid conditions.
- This post requires weekend and bank
holiday working.
- Ability to travel and attend conferences
or other zoos as the position requires, in order to share knowledge,
beneficial to the collection.
- An ability to talk confidently and
professionally to visitors or present ‘keeper talks’ or ‘keeper for a day
experiences’ to groups of visitors.
- This role may, on occasion, require the
post holder to work at the other collection (Escot or Kent) to which the
post holder is based. This would be with specific notice and transport and
accommodation agreed and arranged.
Application is by C.V. and covering
letter and must contain the following information:
Name, address, contact phone numbers
Personal Statement
Employment history
Educational history
You should include a statement of the
relevant skills and experience that you believe you will bring to the job,
paying careful attention to the requirements of the job outlined above. You
should give two referees to whom we can turn for a confidential reference, one
of whom should be your current or most recent employer. References will only be
taken up for those candidates chosen for interview or, with regard to current
employer, on offer of contract.
Applications will not normally be
acknowledged. If you would like yours to be acknowledged, please enclose a
stamped, self-addressed postcard.
Applications should be sent to Helen
Sayers, Wildwood Trust, Herne Common, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 7LQ. Or
alternatively email helen@wildwoodtrust.org. Interviews and selection tests
will be held at Wildwood Trust offices at Wealden Forest Park, Herne Common by
arrangement.
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