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Position: Animal Keeper Steward (Animal Department, Fixed-Term/Part -time)

Salary: £24,763 FTE (Inclusive of London Weighting)

Location: ZSL Regents Park

The post holder will be responsible for visitor engagement and safety in our Primate and Predator enclosures.
They will also be required to assist and adhere to the animal department and section specific best practice protocols and procedures in relation to animal husbandry and welfare.

• Assisting with the preparation of approved diets and carrying out the correct feeding procedures.
• Be the point of contact in case of an incident involving a visitor and an animal and advise visitors of correct course of action.
• Cleaning and maintaining exhibits and other designated areas.
• Observing the behaviour, health and security of animals and reporting any problems to the Team Leader or senior staff.
• Ensuring relevant safe systems of work and risk assessments are read, understood signed and always adhered too and emergency procedures are followed.
• Supporting positive visitor experiences by answering questions in a friendly and helpful manner, ensuring that visitors leave with a good impression of ZSL.
• Communication is needed frequently with all animal keeping staff and other seasonal animal keeping stewards. This is to relay issues, problems and information required for the daily records.
• Problem solving and forward thinking are essential at peak times in the walkthroughs. The post holder will have the ability to make quick decisions regarding visitor and animal safety, whilst following the Health and Safety guidelines
• Keepers often obtain personal connections with zoo animals and may go through emotional upset with regards to any animal moves, ill health or site incident

• Experience and confidence speaking to the public
• Skills and knowledge specific to natural history and animal husbandry are desirable
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and a pro-active approach to completing tasks
• Ability to clearly follow instructions on tasks requested to be carried out by the section manager.
• Flexibility is required in order to support the broader zoological collection as well as the post holder’s specific section.
• An ability to work as part of a team as well as an individual
• Capable of supporting volunteers and colleagues as requested.
• This post requires weekend and bank holiday working.

Please note: This role is to be based on a 2-week rota consisting of 3 working days (Week 1) / 4 working days (Week 2)

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

What do we offer?

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension.

• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle

• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity and paternity packages

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please contact [email protected]

Closing date for applications: Midnight (23:59) on Sunday 2nd July 2023

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.