Job opportunities

Zoo keeper - reptiles

Shift – As per rota.

This post is for a highly motivated person, who is practical and hard working.

This role will suite a fit, practical person who can work during all weather conditions (particularly hot and humid) doing a physically demanding job.

To start ASAP.

Crocodiles of the World is the UK’s only Crocodile Zoo and boasts the largest collection of crocodiles and alligators in the UK, and one of the most significant collections in the world. Dedicated to their conservation, the zoo aims to inspire and educate visitors about these fascinating animals. With daily talks, feeding and animal encounters this busy tourist attraction provides a unique experience to get closer to crocodiles in a safe, fun and educational environment. The zoo also has a large reptile department housing a variety of species like crocodiles, Galapagos tortoises, emerald tree boas and Komodo dragon.

We are currently looking to recruit, a highly motivated person, who is practical and hard working to join our award winning team. This role will suite a fit, practical person who can work during all weathers doing a physically demanding job.

Please note: The zoo is open 7 days a week and so weekend work will be required as per the shift. It is also worth noting that there will be minimal crocodile husbandry requirements within this role as the reptile department is separate from the crocodile department.   

Your role will include

General:

Your primary focus will be the care of our reptiles. This will encompass food preparation, feeding and cleaning.

You will be responsible for the welfare and wellbeing of the animals, monitoring health issues and improving their enclosures to provide behavioural enrichment.

You will take instruction from the senior zoo keepers and curator, working to priorities to achieve the best animal welfare.

Exhibit design and maintenance:

You will be required to assist in the day-to-day maintenance of exhibits so you will use small tools and do general DIY functions.

You will have input into exhibit design and building to provide the highest standards on animal care and efficiency of operations.

Record keeping:

You will help to keep animal records to meet all zoo legislation. You will follow all procedures on safe practice and hygiene regulations and records.

 

Internal Communications:

You will play a key role in the Keeper team and as such attend all staff meetings and produce any required reports. You will be expected to play a positive and helpful role in developing a happy productive team working towards common objectives.

 

Health and Safety:

You will be required to support your line manager to ensure that Crocodiles of the World’s Safety arrangements are effective, consistent and well documented.

 

Customer Care & animal talks

Crocodiles of the World’s ultimate success will depend on the value we can deliver to our visitors. This role will include daily public animal feeds and keeper experiences and helping to organise events. Above all this will be fostering a customer focused attitude within the keeper team.

 

Conservation Projects

You will be required to look after animals in our captive breeding programmes.

 

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

The post-holder must have two years’ experience working with reptiles. They will be mature in outlook, confident, hardworking, and practical. Common sense and the ability to concentrate and prioritise on the essentials of a task will be key elements of your personality. You will need to be prepared to work through peak times in what is a seasonal business.

·         A minimum work history of two years of paid employment, working with a range of relevant species, in a zoo or wildlife park.

• Reptile husbandry and breeding.
• An understanding of animal management.
• Experience of captive animal husbandry.
• The ability and desire to enhance and develop your knowledge.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Must be a team player with the ability to multi-task.
• Driving licence
• A genuine love of reptiles

Desirable

Experience in these areas is desirable; you must be able to demonstrate recent practical experience in many of the below.

• Reptile husbandry and breeding.
• Animal records and ZIMS.
• Practical building work and construction.
• Experience giving public talks & demonstrations.
• Health and safety systems.
• A relevant animal qualification.

Other Considerations

·         The post is advertised as a full time position.

·         Appointment will be subject to a six-month probationary period.

Employment Package

Normal working hours are a 40 hours per week average over the year. Normal working hours will be from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm with a lunch break of an hour each day. Your monthly pay will reflect the hours you work.

Due to the nature of the work, you will be required to work bank holidays, weekends.

Appointments are subject to confirmation after a six-month probation period.

Applications

If you’d like to join our dedicated and passionate team, please send your CV which must contain the following information:

• Name, address, contact phone numbers at home and work (for discreet calls only)
• Employment history
• Educational history

You should include a covering letter and statement of the relevant skills and experience that you believe you will bring to the job, paying careful attention to the requirements of the job outlined above.

You should give two referees to whom we can turn for a confidential reference, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. References will only be taken up for those candidates chosen for interview or, with regard to current employer, on offer of contract.

Applications should be sent to

The closing date for applications is 12/09/2023

Interview & Selection Procedure

Interviews and selection tests will be held at Crocodiles of the World by arrangement before the closing date and 2 weeks after the closing date. The interview may involve working alongside our keepers for a trial.

If you’d like to join our dedicated and passionate team, please send your CV and a brief covering letter to