Trainee Animal Keeper (Primates)

THIS POST IS NOW FILLED

East Midland Zoological Society has been running Twycross Zoo for almost 60 years in the heart of England in Atherstone. We are an award-winning conservation and science-led zoo which is 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 (Primates)

As a Trainee Animal Keeper, you’ll benefit from regular supervision following structured training at the outset, caring for the animals in the Primates section of Twycross Zoo.

Your duties will include, although will not be limited to:

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

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

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

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

Our Requirements – Trainee Animal Keeper (Primates)

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

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

· Due to the nature of the role, a suitable level of physical fitness will be required for manual handling heavy items

· A passion for the Zoo’s work and purpose

· Ability to work well independently and within a team using own initiative

· A flexible approach to duties and working hours

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Although not essential, a full UK driving licence would be advantageous.

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.

You will benefit from:

· A salary of £19,922.76 per annum

· 31 days annual leave

· A staff membership card giving you free entry to the Zoo on your days off and discounts in our retail and food outlets

· Free onsite parking

You’ll be employed on a permanent contract, working an average of 43 hours per week on a rota. You’ll work 5 days out of 7 on a three-week rota pattern, between the hours of 8am to 6pm during the summer and 8am to 5pm during the winter months.

More about us:

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, our development plans were only put on hold for a year and 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.