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Department:

Animal Department

Reports to:

Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader, Senior Keeper, Qualified Keepers

Hours:

Salary:

Full Time

National Minimum Wage

Key Responsibilities:

To actively participate in the provision of quality visitor attractions, which promote a greater awareness of the natural world, by ensuring the highest level of care for the animals, enclosures, and surroundings.

Relationships:

Reports directly to the Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader, Senior Keepers, and Qualified Keepers. The role has the following direct Reports: Work Experience Students and Volunteers.

Job Purpose

ZSEA (Zoological Society of East Anglia) is the charity which runs Banham Zoological Gardens and Africa Alive Zoological Reserve and is in an exciting period of change. Our mission is to connect communities to nature for conservation. To strengthen our commitment to conservation through collaborations, networking, and training activities to measurably improve local, national, and global biodiversity; To educate about nature, in nature, and for nature to foster engagement with the natural world; and to enable Africa Alive Zoological Reserve and Banham Zoological Gardens to empower people to make positive changes in their lives and local communities by promoting the connections between nature and well-being.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within ZSEA, and we are looking to recruit a Trainee Keeper for the Animal dept at Banham Zoological Gardens. The role will be supporting the team with the day-to-day operational running of the section. The successful candidate will manage the team, train staff, and adhere to the section specific best practice protocols and procedures in relation to animal husbandry. They will work closely with the Team Leader, liaising with other departments on maintenance requests, projects, animal encounters, recruitment, risk assessments and commercial activities etc.

Applicants should have a minimum of 1 years Zoo experience.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide the highest level of husbandry according to the needs and requirements of the animals in your care.

• Effectively handle animals to minimise stress and risk of injury to all involved.

• Assist in helping to maintain the level of consistency of staff responsible to this role, whilst promoting a positive working environment.

• Ensure a positive impression of yourself and the company is always presented to all customers (internal and external) to reflect the quality of the organisation.

• Must comply, always, with department policies and procedures in relation to administration and health and safety to ensure they are appropriately followed.

• Continuously develop yourself through appropriate learning and development activities as agreed by Team Leader / Deputy Team Leader, to deliver excellence.

• Undertake other tasks as required by your line management.

• Assisting the Team Leaders / Deputy Team Leaders / Senior Keepers in carrying out and monitor a range of minor veterinary procedures/treatments (including administrating topical and oral medications, wing clipping and hoof trimming).

• Liaise with other departments as required to achieve ZSEA’s aims and objectives, including HR, Maintenance, Commercial, Education, PR, Veterinary services, Guest Services etc.

• Maintain high standards of cleanliness in relation to all aspects of animal husbandry considering, for example, waste disposal, use of equipment, cleaning routines, food preparation and storage etc.

• This post may require extensive outside working with direct exposure to the weather or indoors in artificially high temperatures & or humid conditions. You will have direct and indirect contact with animals.

• Maintain accurate animal records on ZIMS.

• Maintain good customer relations when dealing with undertaking commercial activities (including but not exclusive to experiences, events, and educational activities.

• Foster collaborative working relationships with work colleagues, through effective listening and communication (written/verbal), cooperative and positive approach.

NB: This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered. It is not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder to reflect changes in the job or the organisation.

Due to the volume of applicants we will not be able to responded to those who are unsuccessful.