Senior Keeper

Wildwood Trust
- South west**Contact**:
**Sector**:

- Animal Care**Type**:

- Paid**Contract type**:

- Full-time**Salary**:

- £19,000 starting salary, dependant on experienceWildwood Trust are seeking to employ a Senior keeper to focus on the husbandry and conservation of a range of species across Wildwood Devon. Preference will be given to keepers experienced in the management of large carnivores.

**1. **Duties**
- Assist with the preparation of approved diets and carrying out the correct feeding procedures whilst maintaining high standards of hygiene, equipment care and house-keeping as routine part of daily duties.
- Contribute to the development of high standards of husbandry and welfare, supporting the development of innovative, enriching and aesthetic enclosures with the team.
- Assisting Living Collection colleagues, with veterinary, training, behaviour, enrichment and other relevant animal related procedures
- Present relevant material at conferences or in media based situations as required.
- Present keeper talks as requested and support positive visitor experiences by answering questions in a friendly and helpful manner, ensuring that visitors leave with a good impression of the Living Collections team and Wildwood as an experience. Demonstrate knowledge of the role of a modern animal collection in terms of conservation, research and education.
- Familiarity and compliance with all health and safety protocols and documentation. This includes emergency procedures, risk assessment and safe working practices.
- As requested by the Senior Keepers, Director of Zoo Operations or General Manager support broader Wildwood activities such as late evening/ weekend functions, animal encounters, PR photo calls/filming, VIP encounters, Keeper for a Day, and other Wildwood events.
- Inputting animal records and data onto daily record sheets and the ZIMS database etc.
- Support internal communication through presenting work to internal Wildwood colleagues at appropriate forums. Be collaborative with all Wildwood departments and within the wider zoo community.
- Some media work may be required which will involve speaking confidently and comprehensively.
- Mentor and support qualified keepers, trainee keepers, volunteers and work experience students.

NB: This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered. It is not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in the job or the organisation.

**2. **Skills, Knowledge & Experience**

The successful applicant will have practical experience of working with a range of small mammals. Skills and knowledge specific to the animal husbandry, management and care and a Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA) qualification (or equivalent) is compulsory for this role, for internal appointment to have passed the qualified keeper attributes.

**Knowledge**
- Familiarity and compliance with all health and safety protocols and documentation. This includes emergency procedures, risk assessment and safe working practices. Ability to instruct trainee keepers, volunteers and other section guests in the above.
- Broad taxonomic knowledge on a range of species managed within zoological collections but particularly native mammals.
- Extensive knowledge of husbandry, exhibition, diet and reproduction. Take responsibility for furthering your knowledge by liaising with colleagues, or those with specific knowledge of different species. Utilise other Wildwood trust resources and departments and explore opportunities to learn.
- Understanding and experience of behavioural enrichment and conditioning programs and an understanding of their importance in the role of husbandry.
- Knowledge of techniques used to handle specific animals should catch ups or veterinary procedures require this.

**Skills & Abilities**
- Ability to manage daily designated duties and an awareness of who to contact, and the appropriate method, should assistance be required.
- Ability to demonstrate initiative and a pro-active approach to completing tasks beneficial to the section/department.
- Ability to clearly follow instructions on tasks requested to be carried out by the section manager.
- Ability to lead and direct less experienced colleagues in all section matters once established into the role.
- Flexibility is required in order to support the broader zoological collection as well as the post holder’s specific section.
- Working with animals requires detailed levels of concentration on both noting animal behaviour and changes to behaviour as well as remembering to lock doors and close slides. The ability to tell others of your need to concentrate at specific times if disrupted.
- An ability to carry out agreed veterinary treatments accurately as determined by veterinary staff, administering correct doses and recording appropriately for colleagues to acknowledge.
- Have