Job opportunities

Animal Care Assistant

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

This role would be ideal for a hardworking, enthusiastic  individual who has recently left college/university and is looking to get their foot in the door of the industry.

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 role will include supporting the animal keepers in all aspects of animal husbandry including preparing diets, maintaining enclosures, producing enrichment, maintaining facilities and assisting in health care.

This role includes the daily care of the owners dogs.

 

Key Responsibilities

To monitor the animals carefully for behavioural and medical problems and ensure problems are reported promptly to senior staff.

To support animal keepers in making sure the accommodation for the animals is maintained to a high standard for the safety, health and well-being of the animals.

Under instruction, prepare and distribute food to the animals , following the prescribed diets and guidance from the keepers and team leader.

To support keepers in delivering medications and preventative treatments as prescribed by designated veterinarians professionals.

To ensure waste is managed and disposed of correctly and in timely fashion.

To support keepers in providing enrichment  and exercise to the animals within care where appropriate and prepare schedules.

To participate in animal training exercises where appropriate.

To maintain a clean, healthy and safe working environment. This includes, but is not restricted to, cleaning work and staff areas, sweeping, emptying bins, weeding and other duties that support the smooth functioning of the facility.

To provide accurate daily records.

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 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

Holding a level 3 animal qualification would be advantageous but not essential.

Previous full-time or part-time experience of working in an animal setting would be advantageous.

An enthusiastic approach to working with both domestic and exotic animals.

A basic knowledge of captive requirements of animal species for which post is responsible.

A desire to learn and develop new skills is essential.

Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

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

Basic 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

Monday-Friday (40 hours a week)

 

Location

Burnham, South Buckinghamshire