Head Keeper - Req23833 Leeds, England
Leeds City Council
Full Time
Leeds, England
24496 - 26845 GBP ANNUAL Today
Job description
Lotherton Wildlife World is a small to medium size zoo contained within the visitor attraction of Lotherton Hall Estate, an Edwardian country estate operated by Leeds City Council as a museum and visitor attraction. Lotherton Wildlife world is going through a period of exciting change, and this is a great opportunity to be a part of a developing collection.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced individual to join our team as the Head Keeper at Lotherton Wildlife World. As the head keeper you will be leading a team of dedicated keepers and coordinating their activities. They will play a vital role in the welfare and management of our diverse animal collection, ensuring the highest standards of care are met.
Main Responsibility
Reporting to the Zoo Manager the successful candidate the successful candidate will have excellent leadership skills, be motivated and have at least 5 years’ experience in the zoological industry and at least 3 years of supervisory experience. An appropriate qualification Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DIMZAA) or NVG Level 3 in Animal Care or equivalent
The post is a full time 37 hour a week contract, working to a rota which has seasonal variations and includes weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced individual to join our team as the Head Keeper at Lotherton Wildlife World. As the head keeper you will be leading a team of dedicated keepers and coordinating their activities. They will play a vital role in the welfare and management of our diverse animal collection, ensuring the highest standards of care are met.
Main Responsibility
- Animal care and husbandry: lead and supervise the team of keepers in providing exceptional care, nutrition, and husbandry to all animals. Ensure that all enclosures are maintained at the highest standards, promoting the health and wellbeing of the animals.
- Team leadership: Motivate, mentor, and guide the keepers fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Conservation and education: working with the zoo manager and keeping team to create and deliver a high level of conservation through education and projects.
- Health and Safety: Ensure adherence to all safety protocols and standards, maintain a secure environment for both animals and visitors.
Reporting to the Zoo Manager the successful candidate the successful candidate will have excellent leadership skills, be motivated and have at least 5 years’ experience in the zoological industry and at least 3 years of supervisory experience. An appropriate qualification Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DIMZAA) or NVG Level 3 in Animal Care or equivalent
The post is a full time 37 hour a week contract, working to a rota which has seasonal variations and includes weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve.
Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list.
We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
How to apply
Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form Hyperlink
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Daniel Messer Zoo Manager at [email protected]
Leeds City Council Job Profile
Directorate: Communities, Housing & Environment
Service Area: Lotherton Wildlife World
Job Title: Head Keeper
Grade: C1
Conditions of service: The NJC ‘National Agreement on Pay and conditions of Service’ for Local Government Services as adopted or amended by the City Council
Reports to: Animal Manager
Responsible for: Supervising Keeper, Animal Keeper, Assistant Bird Keeper, Animal Keeper Casual, Volunteers.
Job purpose: Working with the zoo manager to lead and motivate the animal team ensuring a high standard of animal welfare, husbandry and record keeping across a broad range of species and taxa. To be responsible for the day to day organisation and supervision of staff and the adherence of health and safety and operational procedures on a daily basis.
Responsibilities
- To ensure a high standard of animal health and welfare across Lotherton Wildlife World in line with zoo licensing requirements and BIAZA guidelines.
- Responsible for effective communication, taking the lead in daily briefs when required, making sure all members of the team are kept up to date with section information.
- To undertake any and all practical work within the collection.
- Maintaining and promoting a positive, motivating, and supportive working environment for all members of staff.
- To ensure that all health and safety, risk assessments and standard operating procedures are adhered to and implemented, and to report and advise on any animal husbandry or staff safety maters to the zoo manager.
- To supervise, train and develop keepers, apprentices, placement students and volunteers in all aspects of animal husbandry in line with current legislation.
- With the support of the animal registrar ensure that all animal records are accurately kept, monitored, and initiated, ensuring that those records are up to date, accessible and recorded in the appropriate way.
- To monitor all animals for signs of illness, injury and distress and where necessary work with the zoo manager and animal registrar to organise veterinary intervention.
- Stay up to date with industry advancements, best practices and legal requirements related to animal care and husbandry.
- To inform zoo manager and animal registrar of any potential gaps in training, knowledge, and procedures.
- Maintain and advance animal welfare including the design of species-specific enclosures, enrichment and training programmes.
- Ensuring that the animal enclosures are secure and safe for both animals and guests, with daily and monthly checks. Reporting any defects to the zoo manager.
- To comply with the health and safety and equal opportunities policies of the council and legislation regarding employment conditions.
- To undertake any duties as may be commensurate with the post and grade.
Qualifications
- Full UK driving license.
- Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DIMZAA) or NVG Level 3 in Animal Care or equivalent.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- 5 years minimum working in the zoological industry.
- 3 years minimum in a supervisory role.
- Comprehensive knowledge of working in the zoological industry including manging a range of different taxa and species.
- An expert knowledge of animal husbandry, welfare, and enrichment.
- Understanding of ZIMS record keeping.
- Experience in delivering conservation and education through presentations, talks and experiences to arrange of different audience types.
- To be able to develop animal training programmes, design and implement enrichment to further advance animal welfare.
- Experience in developing species specific diets and diet management plans.
- Knowledge of external and international zoo organisations (ABWAK, BIAZA, EAZA)
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Strong leadership skills and experience.
- Enthusiastic and self-motivated with the ability to work well under pressure.
- Leading and supervising a team. To manage staff proactively, effectively and consistently to maximise performance of the team including the development of junior staff.
- Must demonstrate confident management and team building skills in order to develop and advance staff, particularly during periods of change.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to implement effective resolutions.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills.
- Good verbal and written skills with the ability to communicate to mangers, colleagues, and members of the public at all levels.
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements
It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
- Understanding of water filtration systems in a zoo environment.
- Qualified / competent in the use and maintenance of petrol driven mowers, strimmer and hedge trimmers.
- Fire safety / marshal qualification
- First aid training.
- Ability to understand basic construction techniques for the repair and maintenance of animal enclosures.
- Ability to participate in research and conservation.
- Experience and understanding of artificial incubation and rearing.
Leeds City Council
www.leeds.gov.uk
Leeds, United Kingdom
Tom Riordan
Unknown / Non-Applicable
10000+ Employees
Government
Municipal Agencies
1974
