Job opportunities

Zoo Manager

Bede's requires a highly motivated and passionate individual to join our Animal Management Unit  as Zoo Manager at our Senior School.

The Zoo Manager will oversee the day-to-day running of the school zoo. You will be working alongside our head of Animal Management, Mr Paul Juniper, who is one of the school’s Assistant Heads, and who has previously had many years experience working in a number of British animal collections. You will be supported by an assistant keeper, and also by an apprentice keeper.

You will want to help to provide a first class educational experience for the pupils of Bede’s school, and to continue to offer outstanding husbandry and care for the animal collection.

You will have some experience of working with animals, and will be looking to take on greater responsibility, with the freedom to grow and develop a collection, improving its husbandry and developing protocols for animal care.  There will be a degree of freedom for the right applicant to put their own ideas into action - taking full responsibility for shaping day to day operations and collection planning, an opportunity which might not always exist in other similar roles.

You will ideally be educated to at least Level 3 in a relevant vocational subject or a biological science (biology, animal management, animal care, zoo management etc.), and be experienced with a range of exotic and domestic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. DMZAA certification or a completed zookeeping apprenticeship would be an advantage. You will also possess the practical skills necessary for both husbandry and enclosure maintenance and improvement. 

An important part of this role will involve establishing and maintaining relationships with colleagues in other zoos and external organisations.   This will include ABWAK, APHA, BIAZA, Wealden District Council (as our licensing authority) and our attending veterinary surgeon. Keeping abreast of recent developments in British collections and visiting other zoos will be a vital part of your work. You will be someone who is interested in zoos, and their work, and interested in animals of all shapes and sizes!