Lead Ranger
Fota Wildife Park
Fota Wildlife Park,
part of the Zoological Society of Ireland, is located on 100 acres at Fota
Island 10km east of Cork City and has an annual attendance of 465,000 visitors
Fota Wildlife Park’s
vision is to inspire people to understand and conserve the biodiversity of our
natural world. The Park’s core values of conservation, education, research and
entertainment have ensured that we are uniquely placed to foster greater public
understanding of the threats to plant and animal habitats and decreasing global
biodiversity. Fota Wildlife Park has made considerable investment in the past 8
years upgrading its infrastructure and developing 27 acres of additional land
that focuses on Asian animals including Sumatran tiger, Indian rhino and
Asiatic lion.
Job Specification– Lead Ranger
An exciting
opportunity has arisen for a Lead Ranger within Fota Wildlife Park. The Lead
Ranger will work with carnivores, reptiles, fish, birds and other species. This position will work with the other Lead
Rangers, Senior Rangers and Rangers, and reports to the Animal Care Manager.
The Lead Ranger
assists with the leadership of the animal care staff and others in the assigned
areas on a daily basis to maximize safety, improve animal welfare, and promote
a positive work environment. The Lead Ranger will assist with the development, implementation,
and evaluation of husbandry standards, enrichment, training, and health care
for animals in assigned areas. This includes, but is not limited to, the care
and feeding of exotic and domestic animals; the cleaning and maintenance of
buildings, exhibits, and other animal enclosures; observation and reporting of
physical and behavioural condition of the animals; animal training; and
participation in Fota Wildlife Park’s conservation and education programs.
Responsibilities:
· Ensure the health, condition and
behaviour of the animals are closely monitored and maintained to the highest
standards, taking preventative or remedial action in liaison with the Animal
Care Manager as necessary, keeping all relevant records as required.
· Ensure that the day-to-day
responsibility for effective line management of animal staff is met while
ensuring good communication with line managers.
· Ensure up-to-date knowledge and
understanding relevant to the section, utilising all available resources and
making recommendations for change and improvement through the appropriate
channels.
· Work closely with the veterinary
personnel regarding all aspects of animal health care, including assisting with
the capture and restraint of all species and being involved with implementation
of preventative medicine programmes as required.
· Is proactive in the operant
conditioning programme and can train to a level to include various completed
behaviours.
· Is pro-active in the research and
provision of enrichment to stimulate the animals physically and
psychologically.
· Ensure that Fota Wildlife Park’s
policies and procedures are always followed and ensuring the correct adherence
of Health and Safety compliant practices and where appropriate the
implementation of new safe working practices with approval of senior line
managers.
· With the Animal Care Manager, develop
and review animal care SOP’s and SWP’ as necessary.
· Ensure that all departmental staff
consistently demonstrate best customer service practice and work at all times
to enhance the visitor experience.
· Liaise with the Animal Care Manager and
HR department to ensure appropriate handling of people management issues
including recruitment, training, development, etc.
· Work with Fota Wildlife Park’s
Education Department to facilitate educational programs.
· Represent Fota Wildlife Park on
appropriate professional and scientific bodies and promote its profile and
reputation as an outstanding centre of animal management, education and
conservation.
· Become part of the team that covers
Duty Lead Ranger responsibilities on a rota basis.
· Able to work a flexible schedule, which
will include some holidays, occasionally evenings and early mornings.
· Have a good working knowledge of
Microsoft software products as well as a working knowledge of ZIMS and ZIMS
Medical.
· Must be able to travel large areas of
Fota Wildlife Park as needed.
Minimum
Qualifications:
·
Has a substantial experience of zoological animal management, with at
least ten years relevant experience.
· Has achieved or is willing to work
towards an appropriate animal related qualification (DMZAA or equivalent).
· Possess a comprehensive understanding
of Health & Safety as it applies in a Zoological Setting and be proficient
in the use of IT systems including ZIMS.
· Be fluent in both written and spoken
English.
· Detail-oriented
· Able to work independently as well as
part of a team.
· Applicants must be willing to work
Saturdays, Sundays, and some public holidays.
Candidates will possess sufficient experience
to effectively lead and manage an experienced team of Rangers and maintain a
positive culture. Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong
organisational and problem-solving skills.
Fota Wildlife Park
is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse
workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and
look for future team members who share that same value.
Please apply on-line by sending your CV with a
covering letter to hr@fotawildlife.ie
The closing date for receipt of applications is 29th
May 2020
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Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant
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