Zoo Jobs: Qualified Keeper (Small mammals)

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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