Animal Keeper

Job description
Animal Keeper / Presenter

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Animal Keeper to join our zoo family at a time of growth and expansion, where you will help to shape and mould the animal collection and range of services offered We are currently developing Holmes Chapel Zoo, a brand-new zoo in the heart of Cheshire East.

This position is currently offered for a minimum of 15 hours per week with overtime available.

Please note that this is not a trainee position, although in house training will be provided where required.

The Company
Holmes Chapel Zoo is a family run business with a heart for reaching out into the local community. Our mission is to 'Engage, Educate and Inspire' everyone we encounter.

Zoo2U is our education outreach arm and we use a hands-on approach with our unique collection of exotic animals, making them friendly and comfortable with human interaction.

In turn, we can offer amazing animal experiences suitable for curriculum-based school sessions, special needs therapy, kids clubs and more

We continue to grow and as such, this is a very exciting time to join the company as we develop Cheshire East's brand new zoo Our aim is to be an affordable family attraction which is fully sustainable with a strong conservation message.

We hope to be open by the end of 2024.

You will have a relevant animal related qualification, a minimum of 2 years working in the zoo industry and at least 1 year of presenting education/conservation-based talks, with practical knowledge of Reptiles, Birds and Mammals, especially species held in our collection.

You will be familiar with the SSSMZP and will always strive to improve zoo management standards in accordance with this document, ensuring best practice and compliance with health and safety regulations.

You will be dedicated and passionate about animal welfare and will already put this at the centre of everything you do.

You will use a variety of methods to enrich and stimulate the animals in your care and have a keen eye for detail with regards to exhibit maintenance and animal health.

You will be presentable and willing to represent the company to a very high standard in all situations.

You will be expected to travel (up to 60 miles) from the zoo to deliver outreach to a high standard so you must have experience in presentations/talks/demonstrations to audiences of varying ages and abilities.

You will hold a current clean driving licence and be able to use both a manual and automatic vehicle.

During the covid-19 pandemic we created online sessions which are still being offered and your willingness to participate in this is expected.

There will be occasions when your start and/or finish times will change due to the needs of the business so you must be able to offer flexibility.

You will be hard working, physically fit, enthusiastic and reliable.

You will be an excellent timekeeper and a team player; however, you may also find yourself working alone on some days.

You will have the opportunity to get involved in the development of Holmes Chapel Zoo with enclosure design, animal collection planning, interpretation, education and conservation programs.

This position would suit someone who is keen to advance their career and will lead to a full time position being offered once the zoo is open.

Responsibilities:

• Daily animal husbandry
• Maintenance of animal enclosures/public areas
• Public presentations (in person and virtual) at a variety of outreach and therapy events/sessions
• Monitoring animal health
• Administer medication and preventative treatment
• Ensure best practice is achieved in line with our zoo licence / sssmzp
• Animal related administration duties

Essentials

• Relevant zoo or animal related qualification(s)
• Proven public speaking skills
• Organisational skills
• Clean driving license
• Knowledge of record keeping in line with zoo licence standards
• Nonsmoker
• Minimum 2 years' experience of working within a zoological collection
• Minimum 1 year experience presenting animal educational talks.
• Demonstrable experience working to zoo licence standards
• Hard working and passionate about educating children and adults
• Experience of working with SEND individuals
• Practical knowledge of husbandry techniques for a variety of reptiles, birds and small exotic mammals

Desirable

• 2 years posttest driving experience.
• Teaching qualifications
• First aider
• Falconry experience

Job Type:
Part-time

Salary:
From £11.44 per hour

Expected hours:
No less than 15 per week

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Weekend availability

Application question(s):

• Will you be able to reliably commute between Holmes Chapel and Crewe for this job?

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent (preferred)

Experience:

- zoo industry: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work Location:
In person

Application deadline: 24/03/2024

Reference

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