Bird Team Member/Senior Bird Team Member
Hawk Conservancy Trust
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our world-class
team of bird staff and contribute to the success of this internationally
renowned conservation charity and highly-rated visitor attraction. This role is
open to those candidates with at least 2 years’ experience, and preferably
those with substantial experience.
Your role will be to ensure the high standards of the Trust’s bird
welfare and visitor experience is sustained. You will work as a valued member
of the team and, in collaboration with staff across the organisation, ensure
the smooth running of our visitor attraction.
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Responsible to:
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Head of Living Collection
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Responsible for:
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Bird welfare, visitor
experience and liaising effectively with colleagues
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Salary:
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Dependent on experience
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Fixed term:
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2 years
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Hours:
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Full-time including
weekends and school holidays. Flexibility in schedule may be needed.
Some evening hours are required as events demand.
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Additional:
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On site accommodation may
be available
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About the Hawk Conservancy
Trust
The Hawk Conservancy Trust has enjoyed considerable success over
the last 55+ years, as an award-winning visitor attraction and conservation
charity dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey. We are fortunate to be
situated on a stunning 22-acre park with a range of facilities, including three
flying arenas. Our reputation for a warm welcome, passion for our birds and
dedication to our visitors is central to our success and has led us to become
highly ranked in England according to TripAdvisor.
Role purpose and objectives:
Promote and support the conservation mission of the Trust and its
aims of being a leading UK attraction.
Contribute to the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s bird staff team,
ensuring that operations run smoothly and our birds are cared for to the
highest standards, and potentially lead in key areas depending on experience.
Provide thrilling and educational experiences for our visitors and
guests as part of the Hawk Conservancy Trust visitor centre. Maintain and
further develop the Trust’s reputation for its exceptional displays, passion
and enthusiasm, as reflected in the superb customer ratings and feedback.
Increase awareness of the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s conservation
work, events, products and function capabilities.
Main duties and responsibilities:
· Ensuring high
standards of the welfare of the livestock, undertaking the full range
of general husbandry duties, including cleaning, maintenance and feeding
· Providing for
the upkeep of the centre, taking pride in its appearance
· Taking part in
flying demonstrations – working with the birds in front of an audience and
behind the scenes, and commentating as needed
· Assisting
members of the public with professionalism and courtesy
· Participating
with the morning routine of the park, prior to opening up to the
public, assisting other members of the team on their sections, including
the National Bird of Prey Hospital™, if required
· Supporting
training of birds, taking the lead if appropriate
· Leading or
supporting additional activities, such as experiences, evening events
and private functions; giving welcome talks and guided tours to groups and
schools
· Keeping up to
date with our work, including our conservation projects, events and activities
at the Trust, and inform the public as relevant
· Supervising work
experience students and volunteers
· Assisting with
site development and construction projects if required
· Participating in
conservation and research projects as appropriate
· Contributing to
effective teamwork within the Hawk Conservancy Trust as a whole and in
particular within the Bird and Park team.
· Compliance with
Health & Safety legislation at all times
· Working to consistent
professional standards in all aspects of the role
· Any other
relevant duties which are requested by the management
· To be prepared
to take on leadership responsibilities within the team as the
role progresses
Essential experience and qualifications:
· Knowledge of and
passion for birds of prey and their conservation
· Experience of
handling, training and flying a range of birds, with more
senior applicants expected to have experience with larger birds and
flying falcons to a lure
· Determination
and dedication to exemplary standards for husbandry and welfare
· Tenacious,
enthusiastic and committed to delivering consistently high standards
for customers
· Confident at
delivering commentaries and talks, and speaking with individual
visitors; outstanding communications and ambassadorial skills. Senior
applicants are expected to have experience in leading demonstrations through
commentary and be able to deliver a variety to styles of commentary to match
audience, weather and theme variations
· Flexibility and
resilience to adapt to changing work requirements, cope with
the unexpected and tolerate hard work; willingness to pitch in and help
where necessary
· Exceptional team
player
· Professional
appearance and impression
· Unimpeachable
integrity and trustworthiness
· Able to balance
a warm reception with calm authority
· Committed to
equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practises
· Practical skills
would be advantageous
· Training on Hawk
Conservancy Trust methods will be give
Complete an application form
and submit with a CV and covering letter to hr@hawkconservancy.org or by post
to Hawk Conservancy Trust, Sarson Lane, Weyhill, Andover, Hants SP11 8DY
Closing date: rolling process
with final date of acceptance of applications on 11 April
First interviews: initial
interview will be held online on or before 21 April
Please Note: successful
candidates will be subject to DBS and reference checks.
Reach the right people. Advertise here.
This vacancy has been posted out to the many thousands who read the popular Zoo Jobs Blog Page and then on to the 129,400 plus followers of the ZooNews Digest Facebook Page. It is then immediately forwarded on to Twitter and then to Pinterest and Linkedin (8,000+ connections). Many vacancies are shared to individuals and groups. In short your vacancy will have the potential of reaching something in the region of some 80,000 plus people within 24 hours. Most of these people are working in a zoo environment, Keepers, Curators, Vets, Zoo Directors, Trainers, Aquarists and more.
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The number of people who will actually read the posted vacancy will actually be considerably less. Usually this will be between two hundred and three thousand. This will depend on the type of post, the time of the year and where it is located…of course not all will apply. I wish you the very best of luck in finding the right candidate for your post.
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 | | Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant |
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