Job opportunities

Experienced Animal Keeper

The Role

With direction from your Team Leader and Senior Keeper, deliver the day-to-day operations including performing all assigned duties to ensure the smooth running of the allocated animal section/project, aiming to optimise the quality of animal welfare and to deliver or support delivery of an innovative and creative programme of live animal interactive activities to engage and excite visitors in support of RZSS’ vision and mission.

This role is a 6 month fixed term , full time (37.5 hours per week) role where weekend working will be required

Some of the things you'll do

• Take action to ensure the animal welfare, husbandry and management you provide is of the highest standard, taking into account relevant legislation and best practice animal management.
• Contribute to enclosure design, maintenance, enrichment and enclosure furnishing to ensure it meets all the needs of the animal and is presentable to the public, e.g. positive visitor engagement and suggest ideas for development to team manager.
• Engage with and support visitors, ensuring your message is consistent with team objectives and in line with RZSS’ mission and vision whilst providing first-class customer care and service, e.g. answering visitor queries and undertaking public talks, tours and Keeper for a Day experiences.
• Collate and record detailed and accurate animal records via daily record sheets, directly onto ZIMS or using other relevant recording methods in relation to the good management of the animal collection to ensure accurate data preservation (e.g. weights, behaviours, health, births, deaths, training, enrichment and treatments) and provide support to other colleagues/teams including the assessment or analysis of e.g. ZIMS or field data.
• Support the training and development of new keepers, interns and students/researchers.
• Proactively ensure your knowledge of RZSS, our conservation work and species within the collection is thorough and up to date.

What we are looking for

• Professional qualification meeting the requirements of the European Professional Zookeepers Qualification Framework (zookeepers.eu/framework/) or equivalent knowledge gained through practical experience working in a zoo or similar environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of Zoological legislation and best practice and a practical understanding of current conservation science, zoo biology and animal welfare ethics
• Significant practical experience managing a range of exotic animal taxa in a zoo or similar environment and highly skilled in a full range of animal management techniques.
• High degree of observational skills and attention to detail and first-class customer service, e.g. interpersonal skills and ability to engage with a wide range of individuals, e.g. the public, internally and externally.

What you’ll get in return: 

• Starting salary between £24,407 - £25,017 pro rata (offer based on experience) with future salary progression up to £27,204 per annum  
• 37.5hr working week
• 34 days annual leave (pro rata)
• Discount in both retail/catering 
• Access to a healthcare plan 
• Employer contributory pension scheme 
• You will receive a staff membership which will give you (and family/friends) free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoo’s across the UK. 

We offer a range of great benefits which can be found at www.rzss.org.uk/about-rzss/staff-benefits

Please note that shortlisting of applications and interviews for this position will take place while the advert is live.  The advert will close once a successful candidate has been found.  Candidates are therefore encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Please see the role profile for further information on what the role involves and essential/desirable criteria.