Current jobs related to Senior Keeper - Colchester Zoo - Colchester Zoo

Closing date: 15th March 2024

Department:
Animal Care Team

Location:
Colchester Zoo

Employment type:
Full time

Hours Per Week: 40 hours per week

Salary:
£24,024 per annum

Introduction to the Department:

An exciting position has arisen for a Senior Keeper to join our team and contribute to our mission at Colchester Zoo in a full-time role working within our carnivore department; a mixed taxa section responsible for Malayan Sun Bear, Amur Leopard, African Lion, Fennec Fox, Giant Anteater, Asian Short-clawed Otter, Binturong, Red Panda, Pileated Gibbon, Wreathed Hornbill and Lion-tailed Macaque.

Role Responsibilities:

• Provide excellent husbandry standards and welfare to a range of species.
• Input ideas for the continual progression and development of animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design.
• Mentor and allocate work duties to junior staff members; qualified keepers and volunteers; student keepers and work experience students.
• Ensure safe working protocols and practices across the animal section.
• Deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors for a range of species across the section.
• Demonstrate commitment to continuous personal development.
• Perform other duties as reasonably directed by the senior members of the Carnivore Department and Animal Management Team.

Role Requirements:

Essential

Desirable

Husbandry Skills & Experience

• 47 years experience in a zoological collection.
• High standard of practical skill in animal husbandry, including training and enrichment.
• High standard of animal observation skills.
• High ability to develop animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section.
• Knowledge of ZIMS.
• Knowledge of zoo licencing and legislation.
• Skills in handling and restraint of various species.
• Confidence and ability in dealing with medical issues.
• Knowledge of water quality parameters and management for a range of species.
• Experience in operating filtration systems and life support systems.
• Knowledge of uv requirements for a range of species.

Team Work & Ability to Follow Instruction

• Ability to work in a team and contribute to team goals.
• Ability to harness positive relationships with all other team members regardless of level / section.
• Ability to follow instruction and carry out tasks at manager's / senior staff member's request.

Leadership & Mentoring

• Ability to mentor and allocate work duties to more junior employed staff members and volunteers.

Health & Safety

• Good understanding of risk assessments.
• Ability to ensure safe working practices at Senior Keeper level.

Good understanding of zoo emergency procedures.

• Ability to manage risk in a zoo environment.
• Ability to develop safe working protocols.

Communication & Presentation Skills

• Proficient communication and presentation skills to deliver animal encounters and experiences.
• Good communication and presentation skills to deliver education sessions and media.

Skills & Experience

• Trained in manual handling.
• Computer literate with proficient knowledge of the major Microsoft Office programmes.
• Proficient written skills, including record keeping.
• Trained in working at height.
• Written skills, including proposals and protocols.

Other

• DMZAA or equivalent qualification.
• Full driving licence.
• Ability to use own initiative to solve problems.
• Hard working and highlymotivated.
• Excellent punctuality and time keeping.
• Dependable and trustworthy.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Warm, openminded and professional.
• Commitment to employment at Colchester Zoo.
• Firearms certificate.
• Ability and willingness to represent Colchester Zoo at external conferences.
• Ability and willingness to present at external conferences and lead internal training at Colchester Zoo.

Working Hours:

This is a full-time position.

An average of 40 hours a week (5 days) which will include regular weekend work and will increase in busy periods.

Uniform:

Full uniform (including boots) will be provided. Full uniform must be worn at all times with a name badge.

Evaluation:

For the first five months of employment, the jobholder will be asked to complete a one month, three month and five month self-assessment.

This will gauge their feelings of the job and assess their progress towards meeting targets.

Working Environment:

• Colchester Zoo is a nonsmoking environment and smoking is not permitted by members of staff whilst on the premises.
• Colchester Zoo is an equal opportunities employer.
• You may be required to work offsite on animal transfers on occasion.
• Whilst doing this job, the employee is likely to be exposed to: outside weather conditions, tropical exhibits with high temperatures, moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals, lifting heavy loads.

Benefits:

• FREE Zoo visits
• FREE onsite parking
• Work place pension scheme
• Staff events

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