Job opportunities

Zoo Keeper (FTC - 12 months)

Purpose of the role:

Join the team behind Penguin Beach, home to our famous and charismatic penguins, as a Zoo Keeper in the Penguins and Flying Birds Team at ZSL London Zoo! This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a variety of fascinating taxa and be a key part of delivering our free-flight bird display that wows visitors daily.

As part of this dynamic role, you'll use your skills in aviculture, animal training, and high-quality husbandry to care for our beloved penguins and flying birds. You’ll play a crucial part in maintaining the exceptional standards for some of our most popular exhibits at the zoo. This position offers the chance to work with some incredible animals, contribute to their welfare, and engage with visitors, bringing the wonders of nature to life.

This position is offered as a 12-month fixed-term contract, working 37.5 hours per week.

Key responsibilities:  

• Exhibit Maintenance: Assist with cleaning and maintaining exhibits and other designated areas as directed.
• Animal Feeding: Help prepare approved diets and follow the correct feeding procedures for animals in the section.
• Record Keeping: Support record-keeping via the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), including making relevant observations on animal behaviour, health, and welfare.
• Animal Welfare Checks: Ensure that animal conditions are suitable as instructed, and report any issues, including defects or required repairs, to senior staff in the section.
• Health & Safety Compliance: Ensure that all relevant safe systems of work and risk assessments are read, understood, signed, and consistently adhered to.
• Team Support: Assist colleagues with any animal-related procedures as required.

About You:

• Hands-on experience working with section-specific animals within a zoological environment.
• Level 2 English and Maths, or a commitment to achieve them.
• A broad understanding of a range of species managed within zoological collections, with at least one year of experience working in a zoological setting.
• Eagerness to work with and learn about evolving husbandry practices, including positive reinforcement training for behavioural management and diverse enrichment methods for various species.
• A solid understanding, or a willingness to learn, about the conservation, research, and educational roles of ex situ populations.
• Demonstrates initiative and a proactive approach to completing tasks, contributing to the success of the section/department without always needing direction.
• Ability to clearly follow instructions and carry out tasks as requested by the section manager and team leader.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

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.