Reptile/Lower Vertebrates & Invertebrates (LVI) Section Leader Wanted Hertfordshire
Job description
Paradise Wildlife Park
Reptile/Lower Vertebrates & Invertebrates (LVI) Section Leader Wanted
We’re looking for a new Section Leader to join our team and bring experience from an already developing career. We have a wide range of snakes, lizards, chelonians, fish, crocodilian and invertebrates on our LVI section, and our Amazon & Beyond building is one of the best large snake exhibits in the world.
As Section Leader, you’d be part of the senior animal park team at ZSH, responsible for overseeing the day to day running of your section and helping to achieve our long-term conservation objectives. This includes planning and contributing practically to all elements of animal husbandry, delivering our visitor education programmes & experiences and managing the keeper team, volunteers, and work-experience students.
We have a small, established team of LVI keepers, cover keepers & volunteers, which you’d need to supervise, train and work alongside, so we are looking for someone who is very personable and able to communicate well with both visitors and staff, as well as being self-motivated, enthusiastic and a good team player/leader.
The successful applicant must have a minimum of three years’ experience working in a zoo environment. Experience with relevant species is also essential.
- Full time (38.75 hours per week), permanent position; 08.00-17.00 April-Sept, 08.00-16.30 Oct-March (includes weekend and bank holiday work) with some overtime available
- Reports to; Animal Park Managers (Headkeeper & Curator) & the Directors/Trustees of ZSH/PWP
- Oversee, coordinate and contribute to the day-to-day and long-term care and welfare of the animals on section; ensuring daily security checks, animal husbandry routines, welfare audits, approved veterinary care etc is undertaken as appropriate
- Maintain an expert knowledge and understanding of industry species-specific working practices/guidelines and legislation, ethics, animal welfare policies and contribute to Zoo License inspections and other audits
- Keep comprehensive records re both animal care and staff training/supervision
- Resource management and stock control of the section/zoo department resources
- Ensure delivery of high standards of visitor interaction (Keeper Talks, Experiences, Education Events)
- Contribute to educational, media and marketing initiatives to encourage and promote public understanding of animals, including representing us at events
- providE practical & theoretical training for the Keeper Team
- Foster a pleasant working environment, dealing with any concerns swiftly and professionally in line with our policies and procedures
Job Requirements (Essential):
- Proven experience (3+ years) in the care and management of relevant species
- Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquaria Animals (DMZAA) or equivalent
- Knowledge and understanding of zoological best practice
- Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills; good organisational skills & leadership ability
- Physically fit for the demands of this role
- Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle (as the site is not accessible by public transport)
- In line with the requirements of the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996, all applicants must either be eligible to live and work in the UK or must obtain permits to work in the UK prior to application (documented evidence of eligibility will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process).
- Experience of working with venomous herptiles
- Experience working with life support systems
- Experience of supervising a team
- Leadership &/or management training/qualification
