Job opportunities

Deputy Team Leader

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 Deputy Team Leader for the Animal dept at Banham Zoological Gardens. The role will be supporting the Team Leader and Animal Manager with the day-to-day operational running of the section and managing the team in their absence. 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.

 

 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

 

 

·       Lead the team in the absence of the Team Leader

 

·       The role may require the Deputy Team Leader to step up into covering Animal Duty Manager (ADM) responsibilities for specific periods of time. The Deputy Team Leader must undertake training to ensure that they are fully compliant with all emergency procedures and the tasks and circumstances that are involved in taking responsibility for the zoological collection.

 

·       Mentoring and training staff in the above systems and ensure that high standards of welfare, maintenance, enrichment, and cleaning and is kept a top priority for the keeping staff on section. Ensuring that training needs are assessed and actioned or highlighted to the appropriate teams.

 

·       Ensuring staff understand the role of a modern zoo, the importance of ensuring that visitors have an enjoyable, educational, and informative day and instilling that the keeping staff are an important factor in ZSEA meeting its strategic aims.

 

·       Prepare, carry out and monitor a full range of minor veterinary procedures/treatments (including but not limited to giving injections, ear tagging, wing clipping, and hoof trimming) as directed by the Vet, Team Leader and above.

 

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

 

·       Flexibility is needed in animal care emergencies. This may mean long hours are sometimes a necessity and coming into work on days off. Ensuring that keeping staff are trained, available and appropriately supported for these emergencies.

 

·       Monitor, promote and assist in enforcing 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.

 

·       Monitor and report on all aspects within the dietary process from food delivery/storage through to the animal’s intake. As a result, offer suggestions for modification and/or development of a dietary programme and improvements to the dietary process.

 

 

·       Familiarity and compliance with all health and safety protocols and documentation. This includes emergency procedures, risk assessment and safe working practices.

 

·       Responsible for demonstrating the collection in an informative and educational way to our visitors, and ensuring the team support commercial activities without compromising the welfare of the collection.

 

 

 

 

 

Expectations of the job holder

 

 

·       To ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work and responsibilities attached to this post.

·       To adopt an evidence-based approach to animal husbandry

·       To be committed to the conservation of animals

·       Can demonstrate professionalism towards sensitive and confidential information.

·       Able to comply with and promote Health and Safety policies and procedures and to undertake recommended Health and Safety training as and when necessary.

·       To be committed to professional self-development, through participation in in-service training as necessary for the successful carrying out of the job.

·       Maintain high standards of hygiene, equipment care and house-keeping as routine part of daily duties

·       Recording sickness absence for staff on the section and conducting return to work interviews.

·       Ensure that the relevant systems (ZIMS etc.) are kept up to date and accurate.

·       Ensure that reports are written, edited, and submitted on time to the relevant departments.

·       Willing To undertake such other duties as are commensurate with the grade of the post.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Personal Qualities and Experience

 

 

·       Extensive practical experience of working with a variety of species within a zoological collection.

·       Willingness to continually learn about and lead evolving husbandry management within zoological collections to include positive re-enforcement training for behavioural management and varied methods of enrichment for a range of species.

·       Use initiative in identifying and dealing with a problem and taking responsibility to make sure the problem is resolved completely. This means the ability to trouble-shoot problems as they arise.

·       Qualified to the Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA) or equivalent Level 3 qualification.

·       Firearms capabilities and/or be willing to join the Firearms Team.

·       Support agreed management decisions and to communicate this effectively to staff.

·       Ability to maintain high standards of publicly viewed exhibits.

·       Willingness to provide assistance for call-outs and emergencies outside of normal working hours (within reason).

·       Understands health & safety requirements for staff, visitors, and animals and able to implement processes and procedures.

·       Ability to motivate, manage and train a team of keepers, with a variety of specialisms, interests, and experience.

·       Strong observational and problem-solving skills.

·       Ability to manage, prioritise and delegate a diverse workload.

·       Computer literate and working knowledge of Microsoft Programmes

·       Ability to travel and attend conferences, and visit other zoos as the position requires, to exchange knowledge beneficial to the collection and or direct input into the conservation of species.

·       Willingness to consult to other zoos or other organisations as required.

·       An ability to talk confidently and professionally to visitors or present to groups of visitors. To train and supervise staff in these talks.