Experienced Primate Keeper

Salary commensurate with experience (Full time, permanent position)

Plus a living out allowance or £2,600 per annum pro-rata to working hours, if onsite accommodation is not required or available.

Howletts Wild Animal Park is a 90-acre site set in Bekesbourne, Kent and works in conjunction with The Aspinall Foundation, a charity committed to the conservation of rare and endangered animals through breeding and reintroduction programmes. We are home to a collection of rare and endangered primates, including Javan gibbons, Dusky langurs, Sulawesi macaques, Pied tamarins and Gelada baboons to name a few.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, and experienced Primate Keeper with an interest in animal management. You must have previous experience of working with primates, in a mainstream zoological collection, with an awareness of current conservation issues and a passion for animal welfare. This position is a key role which will involve providing the highest standards of welfare and husbandry to all primate species on section, providing high standards of daily tasks, including feeding and cleaning primates as well as diet preparation. The applicant must be enthusiastic in contributing to the enrichment of the primate species around the park and must be confident in speaking to groups of people and interacting with the public. The successful candidate will assist the Veterinary department with primate sedations and after care, as well as being involved with the preparation and distribution of medication. As an experienced keeper, you will also help to facilitate training to less experienced keepers, as well as acting as a contact on the section in the absence of the Section Head and Deputy.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a similar role and environment and will hold a conversation relation degree or have exceptional experience in the zoo industry. A practical and proactive approach coupled with excellent organisation and communication skills are essential, as is a full valid driving licence. A reliable mode of transport is recommended due to our remote location. All applicants must have right to work in the UK.

If on-site accommodation is not available or required, then a living out allowance is paid. Living out allowance is £2,600 gross per annum (pro rata to working hours).

Working 40 hours over a 5-day week, the successful candidate will have a genuinely flexible approach to working hours which will include weekends and bank holidays. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

A full job description is available on request.

The Benefits:

· 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays (Pro-rata)

· Free entry into both of our parks for you and a person of your choice, plus additional park tickets for your friends and family

· Discounts on our accommodation, food and retail products

· Onsite parking

· Uniform provided

· Excellent training and development opportunities

· Access to our Healthy Extras scheme, which include access to counselling services, doctor line and retail discounts

· A Healthcare Cashback Plan and added annual leave related to length of service

· Cycle to Work scheme

Closing date: 15 September 2022

To apply: Please email a CV along with a covering letter to - personnel@aspinallfoundation.org Visit our website at www.aspinallfoundation.org to find out more about us.

PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION FOR POSTING OUT YOUR VACANCY.

It will be greatly appreciated as I am semi retired and have had no regular income for over two years.

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