Animal Keeper (Grade One)

Birds, Reptiles and Invertebrates Section

East Midland Zoological Society has been running Twycross Zoo for almost 60 years in the heart of Atherstone. We are an award-winning conservation and science-led zoo, and are a registered charity, welcoming over half a million people every year.

We house 500 animals which include the largest chimpanzee family in the UK and the biggest primate collection in the world. We are the only zoo in Europe to house all 4 Great Apes – Gorilla, Orangutan, Bonobo and Chimpanzee, and we care for some of the most endangered species to the highest welfare standards, including Sumatran Tigers, Amur Leopards and Snow Leopards.

In 2014, we launched our 20-year £55 million Masterplan. Since this time, new habitats include Giraffe Savannah, Gibbon Forest and a £3.5 million world-class chimpanzee habitat, Chimpanzee Eden, and we are looking forward to building on this continued growth and success.

The Role

As a Grade One Animal Keeper you’ll play a key role in caring for the animals in the Birds, inverts and reptile section of Twycross Zoo, working with a wide variety of Bird species including Owls, Flamingos, Penguins and Parrots. The section also includes Reptiles and Inverts. Your duties will include but may not be limited to:

· Preparing and distributing food and water to animals

· Learning about the animals and reporting any animal health concerns to the Section Head

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

· Answering enquiries from the public in a helpful and polite manner, delivering encounters and assisting with public events

· Motivating and encouraging colleagues, and assisting with the development of Trainee Keepers and providing guidance to work experience students and apprentices

Our Requirements

· At least 3 years’ experience as an Animal Keeper, caring for Birds, inverts and reptiles within a zoo or similar environment

· An appropriate animal related qualification

· Superb knowledge of animals that will be within your regular care and all responsible work practices relevant to zoonotic diseases

· A passion for the Zoo’s work and purpose

· Willing to be trained as a first aider and to be on call as part of the Zoo's first aid duty rota

· A flexible approach to duties and working hours

Please note, while Twycross Zoo is an equal opportunities employer, the successful applicant will need to be physically fit due to the nature and demands of the role.

The Package

· Permanent contract

· Salary of £20,415

· 31 days annual leave

· Uniform

· Staff membership card giving you free entry to the Zoo on your days off

· Complimentary Twycross Zoo ticket allowance for friends and family

· Free access to other BIAZA zoos and aquariums

· 25% discount in the Twycross Zoo gift shop

· 10% discount in Twycross Zoo food and beverage outlets

· Free onsite parking

· Star of the month award scheme

· Access to work counselling services

You’ll work on average 5 days out of 7 per week between the hours of 8am to 5pm during the winter months, and 8am to 6pm for the remainder of the year.

More About Us

Twycross Zoo is at the forefront of conservation, education and research, and we have a strong commitment to our award-winning education programme, aiming to increase the level of awareness, knowledge and understanding of visitors about our animals and their plight in the wild.

This is an exciting time to join Twycross Zoo as we have recently been awarded £20 million grant funding to develop the National Science and Conservation Centre on the Twycross Zoo site. The NSCC will support vital work around species conservation, bringing together experts in conservation science and train the next generation of conservationists, whilst offering researchers from around the world the opportunity to study the four Great Apes as well as 100 endangered species, in naturalistic complex environments. The facilities will include a lecture theatre, classrooms, and laboratories, all planned to open in 2024.