Keeper Brooklands Zoo (part-time)
This part-time (16 hours per week)
position involves working with a dedicated team of animal care professionals to
maintain the animal collection at Brooklands Zoo within the internationally
renowned Pukekura Park.
Applicants for the position should
preferably have or be working towards a recognised animal husbandry
qualification, and have:
- Demonstrated
animal care skills.
- Knowledge of
animal husbandry.
- Experience in
the care of a wide range of captive animals.
- Experience in
the maintenance and operation of animal care facilities.
- A manual
driver’s licence.
- Strong
interpersonal and communication skills.
- Positive
motivation and a ‘can-do’ attitude.
- Availability
to work weekends and public holidays as rostered.
If you think you have the skills,
experience and knowledge and are prepared to go the extra mile to meet the
challenges, then we would be pleased to hear from you.
Job Description
Position title: Keeper Brooklands Zoo
Reports to: Head Keeper Brooklands Zoo
Purpose of the role
Keepers provide quality animal
husbandry and visitor services and contribute to the effective and efficient
operation of Brooklands Zoo. The position requires a commitment to meeting the
needs of the facility and its customers by performing a variety of tasks
associated with animal management, visitor services, carrying out those duties
and responsibilities as defined in this position description or any other
reasonable request from the employer which contributes to achieving the
continued success of the Brooklands Zoo.
Key relationships
Internal: Parks field staff,
other Council staff, particularly within the Community Services Teams.
External: Contractors,
customers and users.
Key responsibilities
Customer service provision (five
per cent of job, high importance)
Means:
• Provide services that are
effective, efficient, consistent and focused on anticipating and exceeding
customer expectations.
• Implement new methods,
processes, equipment and technologies in conjunction with other teams to
improve customer service, satisfaction, efficiency and effectiveness.
• Provide the right
information to ensure that customers understand requirements and rationale for
these or refer customers to Customer Support.
• Ensure requests are answered
in a timely manner and meet the performance expectations set.
• Escalate requests to
appropriate technical areas, community assets or area of expertise defined in
service level agreement to meet customer needs.
• Maximise technology to
ensure consistency and accuracy of information.
• Provide resolution to
customers and look for opportunities to improve services.
• Undertake specified projects
as required and agreed with the Assistant Curator Brooklands Zoo and Head
Keeper.
Expected results:
• Customers receive services
which exceed their expectations.
• Mechanisms are established
with other teams for building and sustaining a positive relationship (internal
and external) with customers in order to exceed their requirements and
expectations.
• Measured level of customer
satisfaction increases.
• Development of customer
services increases.
• Public enquiries are met.
Operational delivery (95 per cent
of job, high importance)
Means:
• Carry out all work safely.
• Report all accidents and
near miss within the same day.
• Ability to work within a
seven day roster.
• Utilise resources
effectively.
• To carry out general
husbandry for the animals in your care.
• To carry out environmental
enrichment.
• Maintain high standards of
welfare and husbandry on your section.
• Ensure equipment is
maintained to maximise usage.
• Report any damage breakage
or loss within the same day.
• Provide information/report
to maintain relevant records.
• Provide information to
customers and other relevant stakeholders as required.
• Comply with all in-house
rules, policies and regulation of Parks, NPDC and Ministry for Primary
Industries (MPI) Zoo standards.
• Work and interact with
others in a manner of good conduct.
• Record timesheet codes,
areas and times accurately.
• Keep detailed animal
husbandry/behavioural records.
• Follow processes listed in
the Brooklands Zoo Containment Manual.
• Liaise with the Head Keepers
and/or Assistant Curator Brooklands Zoo regarding daily operations.
• Work and interact with work
experience students and volunteers when required.
Expected results:
• Effectiveness, efficiency
and sensitivity of operational work is achieved.
• Work is carried out safely
in conjunction with all NPDC and Parks health and safety policies and in line
with the relevant health and safety and environment legislation.
• Accurate information is
collected and provided for record keeping.
• Operations meet required
standards and customer needs.
Expected behaviours
• Commitment and
accountability.
• Applying expertise.
• Customer driven.
• Effective communication.
• Teamwork.
Optional (where applicable):
• Leadership.
• Coaching for performance.
• Relationship with elected
members.
Cognitive competencies
• Ability to be diplomatic and
sensitive when dealing with the public.
• Ability to follow procedures
and practices and follow instructions.
• Ability to assess hazards to
safety and to mitigate or document these.
• Ability to undertake and
manage multiple and diverse objectives/projects, including coordinating
activities around feeding times.
• Sensitivity to and awareness
of animal needs and behaviours.
Physical competencies
• Lifting of up to 25kg.
• Pushing a wheelie full of
substrate for up to 50 metres.
• Carrying buckets up to 20
metres to and from enclosures.
• Ability to move for long
periods of time.
• Ability to climb ladders and
work at heights up to three metres from the ground.
• Absence of OOS.
• Absence of debilitating
allergies and sensitivity to materials used for cleaning animals and their
homes.
• Normal visual acuity and
ability to hear.
• Able to handle offensive
matter.
• Ability to attach implements
and to use them.
• Ability to work in all
weather conditions.
Qualifications and knowledge
• Full manual drivers’ licence
for relevant vehicle classes.
• Relevant animal husbandry
qualification or working towards a relevant qualification.
Experience
• Field experience in the care
and husbandry of contained animals.
Major challenges
• To support the Assistant
Curator Brooklands Zoo to deliver professional, efficient and effective
services.
• To participate in operations
that are conducted safely within a culture of ‘safety first’.
• Develop personal and
professional skills and technical knowledge within the range of Zoo operations.
Key performance indicators
• Manager satisfaction.
• Customer satisfaction.
• Efficient utilisation of
resources – equipment.
• Avoidance of
accidents/incidents.
• Absence of complaints.
• Minimal absenteeism.
Scope
• To participate in the
delivery of services to meet a high level of performance and customer
expectations within the Parks Zoo Team.
Terms and conditions
The general conditions of
appointment are set out in the Parks Services Collective Employment
Agreement. The main features and job specific features are set out below:
a) Pay
The pay for the position is $32,332
(85 per cent) to $38,038 (100 per cent) per annum.
b) Hours of Work
The ordinary hours of work shall be
up to sixteen hours per week to be worked between 6am and 6pm on any day and to
be rostered up to any five of the seven days Monday to Sunday inclusive.
c) Dress
The appointee shall maintain a neat
and tidy standard of dress during working hours.
d) Health and Safety
The appointee shall be required to
wear appropriate safety equipment as and when necessary and cooperate and
participate in the Council’s health and safety programme. Safety equipment will
be provided by New Plymouth District Council.
Any applicant canvassing any
elected member of the Council or of any community board shall automatically be
disqualified from appointment; provided that this shall not preclude any
applicant from nominating any such elected member as a referee.
