Animal Keeper – Penguins & Farm Animals
Job description
Avaliable Job Today
Harewood Bird Garden
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title Animal Keeper – Penguins & Farm Animals
Responsible to Farm Experience Lead
Contract Fixed-term contract to 15 September 2023. Full and part-time hours available.
Salary £10.75 per hour
JOB PURPOSE
Harewood is a historic country house with extensive gardens and grounds, located to the north of Leeds. The Farm Experience is popular with visitors of all ages and is home to several domestic animals including alpacas, goats, pot-bellied pigs, and smaller animals. Adjacent to the Farm Experience is the penguin pool, home to our Humboldt Penguins. Our Humboldt Penguins will be moving to a new home in September 2023 and the Farm Experience will be redeveloped. This is a fixed-term role to support our Farm Experience team over the spring and summer. After the summer there may be opportunities for permanent positions in the team.
As Animal Keeper you will deliver high standards of animal husbandry at all times and contribute to the delivery of the Farm Experience & Penguins events & activities programme.
MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Animal Husbandry
- Provide high standards of animal husbandry, including the following tasks:
- General care of the animals
- Food preparations and feeding
- Cleaning animal enclosures
- Regular cleaning and maintenance of the penguin pool
- Assisting in daily animal health checks
- Assisting with the administration of veterinary medication and medical record keeping
- Contribute and implement ideas for animal enrichment
Engagement
- Actively assist with delivery of the daily penguin talks and farm animal experiences
- Assist with delivery of education sessions for schools and groups
- Support small animal handling and other activities
General
- Help maintain high standards of presentation at all times
- Undertake minor repairs and maintenance of farm structures and boundaries
- Follow health & safety procedures and report any concerns to the manager
- Work flexible hours including weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis
- Be prepared to work unsocial hours in the event of an emergency or animal sickness.
- Any other relevant duties
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Animal husbandry experience, ideally with experience of working with farm animals and/or penguins - E
Animal welfare qualification - D
Physically fit and able to lift a weight of up to 10kg - E
Experience of delivering talks and/or activities, or willingness to do so - D
Excellent verbal communication skills – happy to talk to visitors, staff and volunteers alike - E
Friendly and approachable - E
Able to work as part of a team and independently where required - E
Commitment to Harewood’s aims and values - E
A commitment to equality & diversity - E
Demonstrating our Values
Caring – demonstrate quality in your own work, showing support for those around you, respecting audiences and colleagues, showing empathy
Together – showing a commitment to teamwork, collaboration, belief in an organisation’s mission and vision, living brand values
Adventurous – demonstrate energy and zeal in your attitude to work, being proactive, having a curious mind, being confident in your decisions, embracing innovation
Challenging – showing a commitment to high standards with rigour in your own work, learning from every opportunity, proactively questioning to ensure best results
Location
Harewood House Trust, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG
Harewood is 7 miles outside of Leeds and accessible by public transport: goodjourney.org.uk/attraction/harewood-house/
Accommodation may be available on-site (full-time employees only).
