Job opportunities

Conservation Officer

About Us:

ZSEA (Zoological Society of East Anglia) is the charity which runs Banham Zoo and Africa Alive Reserve and is in an exciting period of development. Our mission is 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 Reserve and Banham Zoo to empower people to make positive changes in their lives by promoting the connections between nature and well-being.

Overview of Role:

An exciting opportunity has arisen within ZSEA to recruit a Conservation Officer. The role will report into the Head of Conservation and will provide support and development to the varying projects and programmes run by the ZSEA Conservation department at both Banham Zoo and Africa Alive. There is a strong focus on native species conservation within this role but there is also some potential for work with international conservation partners and global initiatives. This is a hands-on physical role, working on the set up, development, management and husbandry of our on-site native species conservation programmes alongside office based project administration and computer work.

Main Duties and Key Responsibilities:

• Species Conservation: supporting the Head of Conservation and the Conservation Team to develop and manage Banham Zoo and Africa Alive’s conservation projects, both in and ex situ, to deliver the objectives of the conservation strategy and in line with ZSEA’s mission and vision.
• Animal Welfare: Contributing to ensure excellence in the health and welfare of the species that are part of ZSEA on site conservation programmes. Ensuring excellent communication with the Animal Manager and Head of Living Collections regarding the animal husbandry of the conservation animals and compliance with all risk assessments and safe working practices.
• Collaborative Projects and Networking: work closely with partners, other zoos, conservation organisations, government agencies and other stakeholders involved in species recovery efforts, to ensure transparency, excellent communication and successful project delivery.
• Animal Husbandry & Presentation: Ensure all exhibits and presentation areas are maintained to the highest standards. Ensure there are correct procedures in place for new and existing bio secure facilities for the conservation programmes, reviewing these procedures regularly in line with Zoo Licensing requirements and husbandry guidelines for each species. Assist the Animal management team where necessary to facilitate the day to day husbandry of other species held at both zoos.
• Wildlife Management: Monitoring wildlife populations, habitats, and ecosystems on site to ensure sustainable management practices. Conservation Officers may participate in activities such as wildlife surveys and habitat restoration projects external to the zoos in line with project parameters and partner projects.
• Species Conservation Plans: Developing and implementing conservation plans for priority native species, identifying key threats and conservation actions needed to support their recovery. This may involve collaboration with other conservation organizations, government agencies, and local communities.
• Research & Monitoring: Conducting research on captive breeding techniques, reproductive physiology, and behaviour to improve breeding success and inform conservation efforts. This may involve collaborating with researchers from other institutions and publishing findings in scientific journals.
• Education & Outreach: Engaging with zoo visitors and the public to raise awareness about the importance of captive breeding programs for species conservation. This may involve leading guided tours and special events, giving presentations, and working alongside the zoo conservation education department to deliver key messages about the zoo's conservation efforts.
• Record Keeping & Reporting: Maintaining accurate records of animal husbandry including breeding activities, reproductive outcomes, and population demographics. This includes preparing reports for zoo management, accrediting organizations, and conservation partners to track progress towards conservation goals.

Person Specification:

• BSc in a relevant area or equivalent experience.
• Prior experience working with amphibians, invertebrates, reptiles and aquaculture facilities.
• Good team working and collaboration/networking skills.
• Knowledge of up-to-date animal husbandry practices in a zoological collection environment relating to native species such as amphibians, invertebrates and fish.
• Great communicator.
• Demonstrates a consistent, collaborative, and respectful approach to building relationships with other teams within the zoo.
• Respects confidentiality.
• Strong problem-solving skills and able to help others to resolve them. Demonstrates flexibility and good organisational skills.
• Able to stay focused on tasks in hand.