Job opportunities

Animal Team Member- Full time

Hobbledown West London has been open since 2022 and holds a variety of exotic and domestic species including Highland cows, yak, Macaws, Black and White Ruffed Lemurs, Capybara and more. We are looking for a qualified keeper with a minimum level 3 in animal care or equivalent and one years paid experience in a zoo, farm park or similar to join the team full time

Primary role responsibility will be to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of the daily zoo operation, focusing on animal welfare, husbandry, training, and guests’ experience.

You will be conducting keeper duties, working with a range of species across our site with responsibility for all aspects of animal care, including daily cleaning and feeding, whilst working to strict safety protocols and standard operational procedures.

You will be expected to deliver daily talks, educational sessions and host our extremely popular animal experiences, along with various meet and greet sessions. Other duties include, but are not limited to, supervising our  public walkthrough enclosures and working closely with volunteers. 

 

As well as acting as a point of contact for visitors, all Team Members ensure that safety and cleanliness are always maintained to a high standard in and around the park.

 

Main Responsibilities

1.Animal Husbandry and Guest Experiences.

• Daily husbandry of assigned animal specimens and enclosures.
• Diet preparation and feeding as per written diet sheets, delivering enrichment, and training under the direction of the Zoo Manager.
• Ensuring the conditions of the animals are suitable and reporting any issues to the Zoo Manager.
• Observing the daily behaviour, health, and security of animals.
• Ensuring safety and emergency procedures are always followed.
• Assisting with the movement of animals and training of animals.
• Deliver educational and interactive public talks, workshops, and experiences, including our popular Junior Zookeeper for a Day.
• To ensure the highest standards of animal welfare are always being adhered to.
• To be capable in the handling and restraint of a variety of animals.
• Maintaining exhibits and carry out daily, weekly, and monthly checks in line with Zoo Licensing requirements.

2. Customer Service

• Act as a point of contact for visitors, answer questions, give directions and always engage positively with visitors.
• 
  Report any issues or problems to the Zoo Manager to drive continuous improvement.
• Deliver outstanding customer service and demonstrate positive body language to all visitors.
• Offer a positive first response when handling visitor feedback, complaints, or queries.
• Escalate any visitor issues to the  Zoo Manager or Duty Manager, if unable to resolve and conclude.
• Call for First Aid assistance should any accidents or incidents occur.

 

3. Presentation and Standards/Cleanliness

• Ensure cleanliness of enclosures and that they are always maintained to a high standard
• Take pride in the appearance of the animal enclosures and the park.
• Dispose of all rubbish and animal waste correctly.
• Clean and monitor enclosures to ensure they are cleaned in line with protocols and checked for safety throughout the day.
• Handle cleaning materials and chemicals correctly and in line with COSHH training.
   

4. Standard Operating Procedures

• Follow and complete opening and closing checklists in line with the standard operating procedures for the animal team.
• Preparing, delivering diets and cleaning enclosures per the approved diet sheets and standard operating protocols.
• Carrying out any tasks allocated by the management team. 

5. Health and Safety

• Responsible for complying with the company policy regarding Health and Safety.
• Ensure job role is performed safely in line with the standard operating procedure and any specific safety controls.
• Ensure hygiene standards are adhered to in specific work area.
• Report any Health & Safety issues, potential hazards, accidents or near misses to management immediately,

 

6.  Performance and Training

• Demonstrate professionalism towards sensitive and confidential information.
• Committed to the professional self-development, through participation in specific training opportunities aimed at supporting and developing the role.
• An ability to work as part of a team, to communicate clearly, effectively, and fairly to colleagues. 
• Effective communication across all levels of the company. 

The job holder will perform any other reasonable tasks as requested by the General Manager or Director of the business.

 

Although the park will not be open to guests until June 2022, we are looking to bring on this role around the end of March / beginning of April.

 

Key Performance Indicators

• Online Social Media Reviews on Trip Advisor, Facebook, and Google.
• Zoo Inspections & Audits.
• Opening & Closing Checklist Audits.

 

Profile

Education and Qualifications

Level 3 Diploma in Animal Care or Equivalent

1 year of paid experience in a zoo or farm environment.

 

Languages

English

 

Citizenship

Eligible to Work in the UK

 

Work Experience

Experience in undertaking daily guest experiences and demonstrations.
Experience in daily animal husbandry and training tasks with a variety of zoo and livestock animals, such as Meerkats, Lemurs, and domestic hoofstock

Experience working in animal industry environment, following relevant legislations.

 

Personal Characteristics

Exceptional team player.

Well presented.

Confident and outgoing.

Friendly and passionate about customer service and animal husbandry.

Solutions focussed – can demonstrate a can-do attitude.

Able to work independently.

Hardworking and enjoys having pride in their work.

Ability to communicate and educate about animals well with guests and other team members.

Ability to work and be a part of a team in a positive and motivating way.

Flexible in approach to work.

 

A full Driving License preferred.

Working Hours

Full time – minimum 40 hours a week, including weekends and Bank Holidays.

 

Age Requirement

18 years and over