Zoo Jobs: Senior Animal Keeper

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Senior Animal Keeper

Senior Animal Keeper

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo

Position: Senior Keeper (Full-time / Permanent)

Salary: dependent on experience

About Us:

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo is a well-established and expanding family run business and one of two BIAZA accredited zoos in the company.

We strive for the highest standards in animal husbandry, conservation and education.

Our mission is to promote and achieve the conservation of animals and their habitats through engagement and interaction with our visitors particularly children.

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo is a small, friendly, dynamic zoo with a wide range of exotic and domestic species for its size. Species diversity is the key to any keeper position here and passion to work with smaller domestic and exotic zoo animals.

Overview of Role:

We are looking for a positive, fresh outlook and someone that can bring enthusiasm, new ideas and progressive working practices to the position.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain the highest and current standards of animal welfare and husbandry. Completing daily checks and records of animals and birds. The role demands the candidate to be capable of supervising and encouraging junior staff.

This position welcomes new ideas etc which can be discussed with the Animal Manager and the Curator of Animals.

Working hours are 40hrs per week on a roster including weekends and Bank Holidays. A flexible attitude to hours is required.

The role is physically demanding, and the candidate should enjoy working outdoors in all weather conditions.

The candidate will be working with a variety of animals within a zoo environment. A working experience with small primates including cebids and callitrichids is necessary.

Good communication skills and an ability to connect with our young visitors is an important part of this job.

A minimum of three years paid employment within a zoological related position required in a zookeeper position.

Main Duties:

Reporting directly to the Animal /Zoo manager:

• Assisting and directing the cleaning of all areas within the zoo.

• Assisting and directing enclosure/paddock servicing, maintenance and refurbishment.

• A good working knowledge of current zoo diets for a range of species and the preparation of approved diets, nutrition and enrichment.

• Assisting/supervising the carrying out of correct feeding procedures and ensuring all zoo keeping staff follow correct diet and enrichment protocols.

• Ensuring that safety and emergency procedures are always followed.

• Assisting where appropriate with the movement and/or training of animals, “Meet the Animals” etc. as directed by senior staff.

• Maintaining courteous and helpful relations with visitors.

• Reporting defects and repairs required to the Animal Manager or more senior staff.

• Assisting in various projects related to animal management as directed by senior animal management staff.

• Covering the animal manager while they are off duty or not on site.

• Staff training in relation to keeper husbandry, best practice and all aspects of zoo welfare and licensing to implement the standards required.

• Battersea has a small and cohesive team of keepers, grounds maintenance, gardening, cleaning and site management are all part of the position.

Person Specification:

• Practical experience of animal management with a range of domestic and exotic species.

• Broad taxonomic knowledge on a range of species managed within zoological collections. Advantage would be small carnivore, rodent, primate and domestic stock husbandry.

• Willingness to work on and learn about evolving husbandry management within zoological collections to include positive re-enforcement training for behavioural management and varied methods of enrichment for a range of species.

• Knowledge of techniques used to handle specific animals e.g. catch ups for veterinary procedures.

• Be able to demonstrate initiative and a pro-active approach to completing tasks beneficial to the section/department without always waiting to be asked.

• You will be expected to carry out Keeper Experiences and Meet the Animal sessions etc.

• Recognized qualifications will be taken into consideration, but personal drive, passion for the job, initiative, common sense and a sense of humor will also be vitally important.

• Attention to detail and a tidy/ organised outlook on the working environment is essential- in all areas of the zoo including public areas.

• At interview stage please be prepared to provide a portfolio of projects undertaken at your current place or previous place of employment.

• A good working knowledge of ZIMS will be required.

Please note*

• A full clean manual driving license is required.

• Accommodation is not provided on site.

• London public transport is a viable option

• No telephone or Skype interviews, interviews will be held at the Zoo.

To Apply:

Applicants should send their C.V., application form and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills and why they are applying for this position and details of availability).

Email: Zoe hr@chestnutcentre.co.uk for all communication and an application form.

Closing Date: Midnight 21^st January 2021.