Friday, November 4, 2022

Experienced Animal Keeper - Hoofstock Section

Experienced Animal Keeper - Hoofstock Section

Salary commensurate with experience + Excellent Benefits

Plus living out allowance of £2,600.00 per annum, if onsite accommodation is not required or available.

Howletts Wild Animal Park is a world class wildlife park and home to a collection of rare and endangered Hoofstock, including Black Rhino, Cape Buffalo and Bongo Antelope – all of which we

have reintroduction projects for. Other species on the section include Red River Hog, Giant Anteater, Asian Deer and Capybara.

Howletts Wild Animal Park in Canterbury, Kent is recruiting for two Experienced Hoofstock Keepers, working 5 days per week 8am – 5pm.

The main duties will involve:

· Observing the behaviour, health and security of animals and reporting any problems

· Ensuring the correct diets are prepared and distributed

· Cleaning and maintaining enclosures

· Ensuring that safety and emergency procedures are followed at all times

· Maintaining courteous and helpful relations with visitors

· Assisting with the movement and transport of animals

· Maintaining good and detailed communication at all levels, including veterinary and other animal collections

· Contributing to the enrichment of the species on the section

· Representing the parks at seminars and conferences.

· Supervision and training of less experienced staff and supervision of volunteers and interns

· Section management on occasion.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience (1 year minimum) with ungulates in a mainstream zoological collection, an awareness of current conservation issues and a genuine passion for animal welfare. They must possess excellent all-round animal husbandry skills and be enthusiastic in contributing to the enrichment of the Hoofstock species around the park. A relevant animal management qualification or similar would be advantageous. You must hold a full valid driving licence, and experience of driving agricultural vehicle is an advantage.

A practical and proactive approach is required, coupled with good organisation, good written and verbal communication skills, as well as an overall understanding of the role of the modern animal collection is essential. This is a physically demanding job and duties will include heavy lifting, as well as enclosure maintenance and browse cutting.

Working times are 40 hours per week, five days out of seven, with a 1-hour unpaid lunch break. This can include weekends and bank holidays. The successful candidate will have a genuinely flexible approach to working hours. A reliable mode of transport is recommended due to our remote location.

All applicants must have right to work in the UK.

The Benefits:

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

· 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

· Excellent training and development opportunities

· Access to a 24-hour counselling line through our Healthy Extras Scheme.

· Uniform provided

· Cycle to Work scheme

· Onsite parking

Closing date: Monday 14 November 2022

To apply - Please email a CV along with a covering letter to: personnel@aspinallfoundation.org

Visit our website at www.aspinallfoundation.org for further information.

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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Primate and Nocturnal Mammal Keeper

Primate and Nocturnal Mammal Keeper

Role Purpose and Dimensions:

We are looking to recruit a primate and nocturnal mammal keeper to work with our growing collection of species that fall within these categories. This will include work with all primates and small mammals, including porcupines, lemurs, a growing collection of callitrichids, night monkeys, two loris species, cuscus and echidnas, small carnivores, armadillos to name a few. At certain times you may be required to help fulfil duties on other sections.

The Role:

· Reporting to the Lead Keeper/ Animal Manager to make sure that the section runs smoothly and effectively.

· Ensuring the health and welfare of all animals.

· Feed, clean out and provide enrichment for animals.

· Deliver talks and presentations throughout the day, engaging with guests wherever possible.

· Upkeep of enclosures including horticultural maintenance and gardening.

· Maintain a professional approach to all visitors and colleagues across departments.

· Ensuring the health and safety of yourself and colleagues.

· Delivery of informative, enthusiastic and engaging talks and animal experiences, interacting with visitors and offering an exemplary and 5ive star service for guests.

· Liaise and communicate with senior staff members.

· Maintain accurate animal records.

· Facilitate an exciting and memorable experience for guests.

Key Objectives:

· Feed all animals adhering to instructions.

· Ensure that sufficient feed is available for the next day/feed.

· Make sure the food preparation areas are left clean and tidy at all times.

· Ensure each animal’s nutritional requirements are met.

· Maintain the cleanliness and upkeep of all animal enclosures.

· Monitor all animals for signs of illness, injury, breeding, distress and make sure any concerns or problems are promptly reported and then recorded.

· Interact with guests wherever possible, including animal experiences, ensuring that health and safety protocols are adhered to at all times.

· Ensure record sheets are maintained and kept up to date for each species/animal.

The Successful Applicant:

E = Essential D= Desirable

· Exemplary hygiene standards. (E)

· Preferable Relevant qualification (or working towards one). (E)

· At least 1 year previous experience working with primates and/or nocturnal mammals in a zoological collection. (E)

· Must be able to demonstrate up to date, taxa specific knowledge relevant to the animal collection and captive husbandry of the species that fall with the scope of this section.

· Motivated and enthusiastic individual who can work alone and as part of a team. (E)

· Good verbal and written communication skills. (E)

· Good organizational and time management skills. (E)

· Ability to work as a member of a team and go that extra mile. (E)

· Computer literate. (D)

· Wide knowledge of biology, ecology and captive requirements of taxa relevant to the collection. (D)

· Flexible approach to work and ability to work under pressure. (E)

· Full clean driving license is preferable but not essential. (D)

Good understanding of health and safety within the workplace. (D (Training provided))

HOURS OF WORK & PAY

This is a permanent full time contract, on a flexi rota system which includes weekend working and bank holidays as well as sometimes working early or late to meet business needs.

The regular hours of work for this position are 8am – 5pm.

Starting wage will be approx. £20-21,000 per annum dependent on experience.

APPLICATIONS:

Please email a copy of your CV along with covering letter to enquiries@hemsleyconservationcentre.com with subject title: PNMK1

INTERVIEWS:

Interviews will be held at our earliest convenience.

Unfortunately, we cannot conduct interviews over the telephone or Skype etc.

CLOSING DATE:

This post will stay open until the position is filled. Please assume that if you have not heard back within 4 weeks of submission you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. Regrettably, we are unable to provide individual feedback.

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.