Job opportunities

Animal Keeper

Animal Keeper

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the position of Animal Keeper at the newly formed Larchwood Wildlife & Conservation Centre (LWCC). We are not open to the public, so your core responsibilities will be delivering high standards of animal care and husbandry.

There are both full time and part-time positions (weekends) available.

This post offers a fantastic opportunity to work with a diverse range of mammal and bird species, a number of which are uncommon in UK zoos.

This position would be ideal for someone who has completed an internship and is looking for their first full time position in animal keeping.

This role will include direct involvement in all aspects of animal husbandry including preparing and distributing diets, maintaining enclosures, providing enrichment, developing and delivering husbandry training plans and assisting in health care.

Key Responsibilities

To monitor the animals carefully for behavioural, reproductive and medical problems and ensure prompt action is taken to alleviate them.

To ensure the accommodation for animals is maintained to a high standard for the safety, health and well-being of the animals and for attractive exhibition to any guest visiting the site, and to contribute ideas towards improving enclosures.

To prepare and distribute food to the animals, following the prescribed diets and to have a good understanding of animal nutrition, diets and feed presentation.

To administer medications and treatments as prescribed by designated veterinarians professionals.

To ensure waste is managed and disposed of correctly and in timely fashion, and ensure pest control measures are deployed effectively, identifying where pest control is required.

To provide environmental enrichment to animals within care where appropriate and prepare schedules.

To participate in animal training exercises where appropriate, demonstrating confidence in delivering existing and training new trained behaviours.

To ensure correct import, export and quarantine procedures are observed, and to adhere to biosecurity and quarantine measures.

To perform capture and restraint of animals with minimal supervision, for enclosure movement, veterinary examination or export from the collection, while minimising stress.

To be familiar with correct techniques, such as ringing and id chip implants, used to identify animals within the department.

To follow correct animal rearing protocols, following instruction from senior staff.

To maintain a clean, healthy and safe working environment.

To provide accurate daily records of animal movements, births, deaths, transactions, reproduction and behaviour to ensure a full set of data is available for each animal to facilitate future management.

To be up to date on and demonstrate confidence in ability (with minimal supervision) to cover for different animal routines to prevent any breakdown in procedures due to days off, illness, or holiday leave of other staff members in the department.

To deliver talks, presentations and behind-the-scenes experiences to visitors, VIPS and other parties as requested and to ensure a positive visitor experience, engaging with and answering questions from visitors as required, during the normal course of duties.

To adhere to and have good knowledge of prescribed safety and emergency procedures to ensure the safety of animals, fellow staff and the visitors.

To attend and contribute to team meetings.

To provide additional animal care and support activities beyond the normal routine as required.

To undertake such duties as reasonably fall within the purview of the post.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

A minimum of a level 3 in a relevant discipline would be advantageous (e.g., zoology, animal management) or equivalent practical experience. If applying for a part-time position then we would consider someone currently enrolled on a level 3 course and working towards their qualification.

Worked in a captive animal related field (zoo, farm park etc) for a minimum of two years, full-time or part-time. This includes internships.

Good knowledge of biology, ecology and captive requirements of animal species for which post is responsible.

An enthusiastic approach to hard work and a willingness to learn is essential.

A precise and consistent approach to animal keeping with highest animal welfare standards in mind.

A high level of health and fitness in order to be able to carry heavy loads and work in extreme outdoor weather conditions.

Computer literacy.

Good verbal and written communication skills.

The ability to work within a department team, both as a team player and using one’s own initiative.

Good organisational and time management skills.

Working hours

Full time - 40 hours a week, although you may be required to work additional hours to fulfil the needs of the role. Weekends are worked on a rota basis.

Part-time - Weekends with some bank holiday work. 

Location

Burnham, South Buckinghamshire.