Animal Keeper (Mammals)

Maternity cover 12 month contract

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 our 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 - Animal Keeper (Mammals)

As an Animal Keeper, you’ll play a key role in caring for the animals within our mammals section, which includes the large and small hoofstock, carnivores and small mammals, (for example: Giraffes, Rhinos, Big Cats, Meerkats, Goats, Bush dogs etc.) ensuring that animal keeping is carried out to the Zoo’s required standards.

Your duties will include but not be limited to:

· Preparing and distributing food and water to animals

· Assisting with the capture and restraint of animals when required

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

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

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

· Engaging with visitors and answering enquiries from the public in a helpful and polite manner

Our Requirements – Animal Keeper (Mammals)

· At least 2 years proven experience of animal keeping, along with an appropriate animal related qualification (or willing to work towards)

· Proven experience working in protected contact with category 1 animals

· Enthusiastic, high performing and motivated with a proven track record in zoo animal management

· Ability to work effectively in a team and without supervision, with a flexible approach to duties and working hours

· A passion for the Zoo’s work and purpose

The Package

You’ll be working 43 hours per week on a set 3-week rota. You’ll work 5 days out of 7 between the hours of 8am and 6pm during the summer and 8am and 5pm during the winter months. As an Animal Keeper, you will benefit from:

· 12 month maternity cover contract

· Salary of £20,115

· 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

Staff engagement is at the very core of what we do. We are committed to the fundamental approach of equal opportunities in employment.

More about Twycross Zoo:

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.