Animal Keeper North East England
Job description
Northumberland Country Zoo
Northumberland Zoo is an up and coming animal attraction in the North East of England. With the addition of our brand new exhibit, the endangered Livingstone’s fruit bats in December 2022, our future is looking bright with ambitious plans for growth. We are a family-run, not-for-profit zoo and we are looking for like-minded team players to join our ever-expanding team; you must be willing to adopt our Zoo ethos and join our mission in conservation & sustainability education in Northumberland.
Conservation and education are at the heart of our Zoo with no larger corporate identity to answer to. We are very driven and determined to become the largest zoological attraction in our area and are ideally placed to be the wildlife education hub for the Northeast. Being not-for-profit means that every penny we earn goes straight back into our developments. Plus, with important links to the Environment Agency, Northumberland Rivers Trust as well as the Wildlife Trust, we are paving the way for native species conservation in this area.
The animal section is currently split into 6 different areas and our Animal Keepers have the opportunity to work on various different sections dependent on experience. You will be report is very much a team environment ensuring that day-to-day husbandry is carried out in an effective and timely manner using the current standard operating procedures. Our Animal Keepers also have the opportunity to assist in the refurbishment and design of new and existing exhibits.
Main Duties & Job Responsibilities
- Day to day husbandry routines for various different species
- Providing enrichment opportunities for various species on a daily basis and carrying out animal training using operant conditioning.
- Decorating and maintaining exhibits.
- Strict adherence to risk assessments, bio security and safe working practices.
- Delivering animal encounters, talks and presentations as required within role and as part of the animal keeper team
- Representing the zoo during external conferences as required
- Taking ownership for the presentation of the zoo by maintaining high standards.
Skills and Experience
- At least 2 years of professional zoo work experience working with animals in a zoo environment
- Be qualified in an appropriate captive wild animal husbandry, biological or conservation discipline
- Must have high animal welfare standards with regards to the care and daily husbandry routines
- Experience with various types of animal enrichment
- Have great observational skills when working with the animals in the park, understanding animal behaviour
- Have the ability to keep accurate records relating to animal welfare
General
- Full driver's license and access to vehicle required due to rural setting of zoo
- Have great team working and communication skills
- Be able to work effectively and with minimum supervision within a timely manner
- Have strong interpersonal skills and be confident to interact with the public
- Be physically fit as this role includes a lot of walking, bending and lifting various weights
- Must be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions, including working on weekends, during school holidays as well as bank holidays on a rota with the rest of the current animal care team.
- Be aware of and adhere to Zoo policies at all times
- Cooperate with other Zoo departments
- Attend training courses as required to meet the requirements of the role
- Take responsibility for own personal development, seeking out opportunities to learn new skills
- Flexibility, wiling to undertake any other duties as requested by management which are reasonably deemed to be within the scope of the role
