Keeper - Twilight

Permanent, 40 hour contract

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Keeper to join our Twilight team.

The Role

This is a key role working as part of our professional team, to ensure the highest standards of animal husbandry, welfare and exhibitory are maintained on the Twilight section. This role is a truly unique opportunity to work with a diverse range of mammal species ranging from Aardvark and Red Panda to Giant Anteater, and naked mole rats as well as two Bat species.

As a Keeper Twilight you will:

• Lead by example in maintaining the highest standards of animal husbandry, welfare and exhibitory.
• Supervise students and interns working alongside Keepers to undertake the daily animal care duties, focusing on husbandry, welfare and exhibitory
• Have the ability to deliver memorable and informative experiences
• Have self-motivation to work independently, but also embrace working as part of a large team.
• Show willingness to share knowledge and ideas

The Package

• Permanent Opportunity
• £26,702.81 per annum
• 40 hours per week. Working hours working mainly fixed hours, typically 8am to 5pm, although some evening work may be required from time to time. You will work 40 hours per week, 10 days out of 14 on a rota basis including weekends and bank holidays, with set days off each week.
• 33 days annual leave per year
• Staff pass so that you can visit the zoo during your time off plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions of up to 9%
• Excellent training and career progression opportunities

The successful candidate will:

• Be an enthusiastic and motivated team player
  
• Be open-minded to developing and implementing new ideas for improving husbandry and building strong working relationships with other departments to ensure high standards are met
• Experience of working with a variety of small mammal species, ideally gained within a similar zoo environment
• Excellent husbandry knowledge and the highest standards of exhibitory, which may be supported by a relevant zoological qualification
• Outstanding observational skills with excellent attention to detail
• Be able to organise and prioritise tasks in a dynamic environment and have good problem solving skills
• Have a good understanding of risk assessments and working with safe working practices
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Be willing to support the team in covering events, which may be during evenings.
• Full UK driving license valid in the UK.

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Competency in the use of computers and basic software packages, including ZIMS software

Closing date for applications is Sunday 22nd September 2024

Shortlisting of applications and interviews for the role may take place while the advert is live; the advert will close once the successful candidate is found. Candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes
We’re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?