Job opportunities

Zookeeper

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

ZSL is looking for a Zoo Keeper on our Hoofstock department. This is an exciting opportunity as the Hoofstock team are constantly evolving to ensure the highest standards of welfare and animal husbandry is being carried out. This position will also support keepers in all aspects of their work but primarily the care of the Hoofstock section, ensuring high standards of welfare, animal husbandry and the recording of date so evidence-based decisions can be made. Good communication skills and experience of dealing with the public is essential, together with the ability to work effectively within a team.

• 37.5 hours per week contract (9 months) including weekends and bank holidays

 Key responsibilities:  

• Assist with cleaning and maintaining exhibits and other designated areas as directed.
• Assist with the preparation of approved diets and carrying out the correct feeding procedures for animals on section.
• Checking that conditions for animals are suitable as instructed and reporting any problems, including defects or repairs, to the senior staff on section.
• Ensuring relevant safe systems of work and risk assessments are read, understood signed and always adhered too.
• Assist colleagues, with any relevant animal related procedures.
• Support positive visitor experiences through good customer service and professional visitor engagement as well as broader ZSL events as instructed, such as late evening or weekend functions, Zoo Nights, PR photo calls, animal encounters and keeper for a day.
• Monitoring the health and safety of visitors and welfare of animals in enhanced animal contact situations, including walkthrough exhibits and animal encounters. Communicating the protocol to visitors in a friendly and timely manner, this includes problem solving and forward thinking which are essential at peak times in the walkthroughs. The post holder will have the ability to make quick decisions regarding visitor and animal safety, whilst following the Health and Safety guidelines.
• The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned from time to time that are in line with the level of the role.

ABOUT YOU

• Level 3 or equivalent animal qualification.
•  An understanding or a willingness to learn about the conservation, research and educational role of ex situ populations.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and a pro-active approach to completing tasks beneficial to the section/department without always waiting to be asked.
• An ability to deliver keeper talks and presentations.
• This post will require extensive outside working with direct exposure to the weather and animals.
• Strong commitment to creating a culture that lives ZSL values and commitment to safeguarding, equality and diversity (collaborative, inspiring, inclusive, innovative, impactful and ethical)
• This role has significant physical demands and involves long periods of standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing, pulling, etc.
• Dependant on section may require working indoors in artificially high &/or humid conditions
• The ZSL Zoos operate 7 days a week and requires an average of 37.5 hours per week on a rota (which includes weekends and bank holidays)

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.  

ABOUT US

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.  

What do we offer?  

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:  

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct 
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension. 
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you  
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays  
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme  
• Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day 
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops  
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle  
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work  
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages 

NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.