Senior Keeper

Closing Date: 14/07/2023

Location/Division: WPP

**Senior Animal Keeper**

**Salary: £25,145**

**Contracted Hours: 37.5 hours**

**Location: Wild Place Project, Bristol BS10 7TP**

**Contract Type: Permanent**

Bristol Zoological Society is recruiting for the position of an experienced Senior Animal Keeper for Wild Place Project, home of the new Bristol Zoo Project. This is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week as part of the departmental rota, which will include working alternate weekends and bank holidays.

Bristol Zoological Society is currently planning the new Bristol Zoo at our Wild Place site. The first animal phase of these plans will be our Central African Forest exhibit, which will include gorilla, mangabey, slender snouted crocodiles and African grey parrots. Future phases will also see the arrival of black rhino, mandrill, okapi, as well as state of the art conservation breeding and medicine centre being built.

The successful applicant will have experience working with a variety of zoo species and previous knowledge and experience working within a zoological collection. A minimum of five years working with hoofstock is desirable, and a proven track record of managing zebra and giraffe is key.

It would be essential that applicants are holding either the Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals, or a relevant degree. Applicants should have excellent communication skills, be hard working, a good team player and have an enthusiastic, outgoing personality. A full driving licence is also desirable for cross-site working.

This role covers all aspects of modern-day zoo keeping including daily husbandry routines, animal training, environmental enrichment, research, talks and guest experiences.

With a new strategy in place to create a world-class Bristol Zoo and conservation and sustainability at its heart, the new Bristol Zoo Project will offer spacious, modern facilities, significant growth in our conservation and education work, and an innovative and exciting visitor experience.

The role will help to realise our vision of saving wildlife together, and you will be involved in supporting our transformation programme - driving visitor numbers at Wild Place Project and excitement as plans for the new Zoo progress. We know that everyone here at the Society can help us work alongside our communities, look after the environment, and contribute to our inclusive culture.

As a Disability Confident Employer if you identify yourself as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 definition and can demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification, we will guarantee an interview.

Benefits include:

- 30 days of annual leave and bank holidays (Pro-rated, inclusive of bank hols) increasing with length of service
- Access to our company pension scheme
- Access to a range of resources to support your physical, mental and financial health, including access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Death in service benefit (x3 salary)
- Cycle to work scheme
- Season ticket loans

Diversity Statement