Job opportunities

Team Leader

Amazonia are looking for an experienced and motivated individual to take on the role of Team Leader, taking responsibility predominantly for the daily running of the staff team. This role includes working directly with species including small primates and other mammals, various nocturnal species, reptiles, birds, fish and invertebrates.

The Team Leader will help shape and deliver exceptional animal care, support conservation work and lead a team of zookeepers, ensuring high standards across all aspects of animal care, customer service and onsite cleanliness. Reporting to the Zoo Manager and Directors, they will oversee daily operations of the staff team and ensure consistently high standards of animal welfare and husbandry are met, liaising with the zoo vet where necessary and providing and encouraging a positive working environment.

In the absence of the Zoo Manager, the Team Leader will act as the primary point of contact for all departmental matters. They will be expected to lead by example, ensuring that the team is well prepared each day and they will be allocated time for administrative tasks.

This is a practical role that requires working in a hot and humid environment. It involves regular manual tasks such as lifting, carrying and extended periods of standing or walking.

A strong working knowledge of relevant regulations and standards is essential, including the SSSMZP, Zoo Licensing Act, BIAZA standards and the BALAI Directive.

Main responsibilities: 

Team Leadership: Responsible for the general day to day running of the department (zoo and reception), ensuring all staff complete their daily tasks, ensuring the department provides a fun, educational and safe visitor experience, whilst ensuring all areas of the department are clean, tidy and well presented at all times.

Rota and Performance Management: Manage the daily duties of the department by fairly organising the workload for the team and daily schedules of schools and animal experiences, assist with and produce staff rotas, oversee sickness absence and carry out staff performance reviews. Report any poor performance to the Zoo Manager and provide support in corrective performance management.

Health and Safety: Adhere to all health and safety policies, ensure safe systems of work are in place and carry out regular enclosure inspections, to ensure animal welfare and safety measures are being met. To report any health & safety issues, potential hazards, accidents or near misses to the Zoo Manager or Directors.

Animal Husbandry Standards: Ensure delivery of animal husbandry is in line with zoo licence, BIAZA and BALAI requirements and guidelines, promoting and maintaining high standards of record-keeping, ensuring team members are routinely recording data and communicating using daily diaries.

Animal Welfare Monitoring: Work with the Zoo Manager and Zookeepers to monitor and ensure the highest level of animal health and welfare.

Operational Support: Carry out daily duties as part of the keeper team, providing supervision and cover as needed. Responsible for ordering animal feed and equipment and adhering to budget requirements for the department.

Education: Support the Education Officer and work with the staff team and volunteers to deliver zoo events.

Requirements for the role:

• Significant practical experience in the animal industry and in customer care.
• Experience in supervising a team or able to demonstrate the ability to do so.
• Up to date knowledge of zoo guidelines and legislation.
• Must hold an Animal Science qualification, or similar, at (minimum) degree level.
• Broad taxonomic knowledge and interest on a range of species managed within zoological collections.
• To be capable in the safe handling and restraint of a variety of exotic animals.
• The ability to confidently liaise with the zoo vet and carry out veterinary procedures under the vet’s direction, demonstrating professionalism towards sensitive and confidential information regarding animals.
• The ability to take the lead in an animal escape or emergency.
• Assist Zoo Manager in the creation of training documents for the team.
• Ability to work under pressure, managing, prioritising and delegating a diverse workload.
• Confident in dealing with visitor conflict and resolution.
• A full manual driving licence.

Amazonia is open to the public 7 days a week and this role offers a permanent role of 42.5 hours per week on a rota, which will include some weekends and bank holidays.