Seasonal Animal Keeper - Elephants Whipsnade, England
Job description
An opening has arisen for a Seasonal Keeper on our Elephant section at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. The Elephant section at Whipsnade Zoo is constantly evolving ensuring the highest standards of welfare and research is being carried out. This position will also assist the Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader, and other Senior Keepers in all aspects of their work but primarily the care of the animals, ensuring high standards of animal welfare, animal husbandry and the recording of data so evidence-based decisions can be made.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Observing the behaviour, health and security of animals and reporting any problems to the team leader or senior staff
- Ensuring that conditions for animals are of the highest standards and reporting any problems, including defects or repairs required to enclosures, to the senior staff on section and relevant departments required.
- Monitoring behaviour through recorded CCTV footage to ensure evidence-based decisions are being made.
- Implement enrichment and come up with new enrichment ideas.
- Assisting with the preparation of approved diets and carrying out the correct feeding procedures.
- Cleaning and maintaining exhibits and designing enrichment devices.
- Ensuring that safety and emergency procedures are always followed.
- Assisting with the movement and training of animals using operant conditioning.
- Continual desire to improve welfare and husbandry.
- Maintaining courteous and helpful relations with visitors and media.
- Supporting broader ZSL lead events such as late evenings and specialist functions.
To download a full job description, please click here
Person Specification:- Be able to work in a team and have good communication skills.
- Have some practical experience ideally within a zoological setting.
- Have strong attention to detail and the ability to clearly convey instruction.
- Have some familiarity with external zoo associations such as BIAZA and EAZA.
Please note: This is a 6-month position based at Whipsnade Zoo and is a physically demanding role which will include day to day duties of heavy lifting. Flexible working is required for this position which will include working every other weekend, bank holidays and providing assistance out of hours if required. A full/clean driving license is essential.
We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds. We actively encourage applications from ethnic minority candidates as those demographics are currently under-represented across ZSL
What do we offer?
You will have access to a blended program of Wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program as well as regular webinars and activities around mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing. The opportunity to be part of an organisation that is committed to improving diversity and inclusion.
Other benefits include 25 days holiday, life assurance, stakeholder pension (ZSL will also match further contributions you may choose to make up to a further 5% - limited to 12% employer contributions), complimentary zoo tickets with a 30% discount in shops and online, subsidized canteen, enhanced paternity and maternity leave, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym membership and access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities.
Ultimately, you’ll know that you’ll help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct.
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.
Closing date for applications: Midnight (23:59) on Monday 13th March 2023
The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.
