Trainee 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 – Trainee Animal Keeper (Mammals)

As a Trainee Animal Keeper, you’ll benefit from regular supervision following structured training at the outset, caring for the animals in our mammals section, which includes the large and small hoofstock, carnivores and small mammals (for example: Giraffes, Rhinos, Meerkats, Goats, Bush dogs etc.).

You will help to ensure that animal keeping is carried out to the Zoo’s required standards, with duties that will include although not be limited to:

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

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

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

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

Our Requirements – Trainee Animal Keeper (Mammals)

· Some experience caring for domestic and/or exotic animals, ideally with prior experience of working with mammals’ species, gained in a Zoo or similar setting.

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

· Ability to demonstrate a responsible and enthusiastic approach to work, including a willingness to work in a variety of weather conditions

· A passion for the Zoo’s work and purpose

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills

· A flexible approach to duties and working hours

· Due to our location, you will need to have a way of getting to us under your own steam without reliance on public transport

The Package

You’ll be working 34.4 hours per week, 4 days out of 7 on a rolling 3 week rota, between the hours of 8am and 5pm in winter and 8am and 6pm in summer, with a paid 30-minute break and an unpaid hour for lunch. As a Trainee Animal Keeper you will benefit from:

· 12-month maternity cover contract

· Salary of £15938.21 for working 34.4 hours per week (equivalent to £8.91 per hour)

· 31 days annual leave (pro rata)

· 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.