HEAD
KEEPER
The Angkor Centre for Conservation of
Biodiversity (ACCB) was established in 2003 by Allwetterzoo Münster and the
Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP). It
was one of the first nature conservation centres in Cambodia, located within
Phnom Kulen National Park at the trailhead to the historic site of Kbal Spean,
about 50km north of Siem Reap Town and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of
Angkor. The animal collection at ACCB currently includes approximately 550
individuals from about 40 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. The primary
goals of the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity are:
ü To
promote the rescue of selected native Cambodian wildlife and to provide
adequate rehabilitation and release facilities while ensuring the maintenance
of internationally recognized standards.
ü To
provide facilities and technical expertise for the conservation breeding of
selected threatened species, and to initiate and carry out appropriate
reintroduction programs.
ü To
serve as an education and training centre for communities, wildlife officials
and visitors to the centre in order to increase awareness of and build capacity
for conservation and environmental protection and management, and to promote
the sustainable use of natural resources.
ü To
initiate and participate in wildlife conservation and research activities in
Cambodia, including in situ conservation activities, species recovery
efforts, biodiversity inventories and natural resource-use assessment, and to
provide information to support management recommendations for protected areas.
The ACCB is currently
looking to fill its full-time Head Keeper position.
This is a challenging but rewarding
position for a highly dedicated and motivated individual with a keen interest
in making a contribution towards conservation. In addition, she or he
will have to be prepared to support a variety of other activities at ACCB as
required, such as assisting the Veterinarian, helping with environmental
education, maintenance, administration, participation in special events, or
fundraising. The Head Keeper is required to live permanently on-site and to be
on call for emergencies.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The Head Keeper reports to the Curator
and works closely with the existing team to deliver an excellent husbandry
program for the animals held at ACCB including e.g., rehabilitation and release,
environmental enrichment and animal record keeping
- § Provide day-to-day
oversight, assignment of daily tasks, training, and leadership of the animal
keeping team; oversee and directly participate in preparation of food, feeding
of animals, cleaning of enclosures, and other daily tasks
- § Carry
out animal observations with regards to health issues and behaviour and inform the Curator
and Veterinarian when illness or injury is suspected
- § Perform routine inspection
of enclosures for cleanliness and structural defects
- § Perform minor maintenance
and repair of animal enclosures when feasible
- § Assist in the development
of training plans for animal keepers; participate in the routine development of
staff expertise in animal husbandry and training, operant conditioning, and
environmental enrichment
- § Provide training and
operant conditioning to permanent animal collections to enhance animal welfare,
enrichment, and safety
- § Make recommendations for
improvement in all aspects of the animal husbandry and breeding conservation
program; assist in developing and implementing animal husbandry and
conservation breeding protocols
- § Implement international
standards to ensure ACCB’s animal collection receives the best care possible
- § Assist in carrying out all
aspects of artificial incubation and special care, including hand-rearing, for
neonates/juveniles
- § Collaborate
with the Project Manager, Field Conservation Manager, Curator and animal
keeping team in pre-release assessments of animals prior to (re-)introduction
to the wild
- § Assist
with animal acquisitions, if required
- § Continually learn and
adapt techniques to optimize animal husbandry and breeding success
- § Supervision
of students or volunteers
Requirements
- § A degree in zoology,
biology, conservation, animal behavior, zoo keeping or related field
- § Working experience in a
zoo, rescue centre or similar working environment
- § A keen interest in the
conservation of birds and chelonians is essential, as currently these are the
focus species of ACCB
- § Working experience with
birds and/or chelonians would be an advantage
- § Demonstrable experience in
staff training and capacity building
- § Excellent administration, organization
and communication skills
- § Sound knowledge of wildlife
and habitat conservation, especially with regards to Southeast Asian
conservation issues
- § Good command of English
(spoken and written)
- § Good improvisational and
practical skills
- § Flexibility and ability to
cope with a sometimes heavy workload (also on weekends and possible night
shifts) and to multi-task in a demanding environment
- § Ability to live and work
under simple conditions in a rural area. Some previous experience of
working/living in developing countries and/or in tropical climates would be an
advantage
- Computer literate with a working knowledge of
Microsoft Office. ZIMS experience would
be § an advantage
- § Physically fit and able to
work in a hot and humid climate
- § Ability to work in a
multi-national team
- § Cultural sensitivity
- § A clean driving license
for cars
Conditions/remuneration:
- § Free shared accommodation,
water, electricity and internet at ACCB, located at Kbal Spean in Phnom Kulen
National Park
- § Airfare
to/from site if required, including one return flight per year (for contracts
>1 year)
- § Full-time
work (usually from 7-11 am and 1-5 pm), with flexibility as required and
on-call availability for emergencies
- § 6
days off per month
- § 30
days annual leave per calendar year
- § A
salary will be provided, which will be sufficient to cover living expenses
Closing date: Applications will be
reviewed until the position is filled
Preference will be given to
candidates indicating that they are prepared to stay for longer periods
(minimum 1 year). Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
Starting date: as soon as possible
Please apply as soon as
possible via email (not exceeding 10 MB) including cover letter, CV and
the contact details of two references to:
Christel Griffioen, ACCB Curator
Email: application@accb-cambodia.org
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Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant
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