Job opportunities

Animal Keeper

The Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park, in Gibraltar, is hiring an animal keeper to become part of its team.

The park is a small zoo set within the beautiful Gibraltar Botanic Gardens.

It is home to some 100 animals representing around 40 species.  It also acts as a rescue centre for confiscated animals.

The park is seeking a team member with experience, strong work ethics, autonomy and adaptability to strengthen the small team’s continuous efforts to improve the animals’ life conditions and enhance visitor experience.

 

Position: AWCP Animal Keeper
Reports to: AWCP Operations Coordinator, AWCP Senior Keeper
Responsible for: N/A
Hours: 37h / week inclusive of weekends & public holidays

Summary
•The AWCP Keeper is an employee of Wildlife (Gibraltar) Ltd (WGL).
• Provide daily care to animal collection, perform routine maintenance of exhibits, buildings, and grounds, and provide courteous assistance and accurate information to the public.

Key Responsibilities (performed “independently” / “responsible for”)
•Execute husbandry tasks – prepare and deliver feeds, habitat setup - for assigned species
•Maintain and enhance habitats and adjacent / common areas on a scheduled basis and as needed, ensuring hygiene, aesthetics and functional safety
•Monitor, analyse and report animal behaviour and health; record observations in ZIMS and/or daily and other logs
•Design and deliver species-specific enrichment and training programmes
•Adhere to quarantine procedures for rescued animals; ensure welfare and isolation protocol
•Support veterinary procedures by restraining and preparing animals, performing health checks, and administering medication or preventive measures
•Present educational activities (talks, experiences and tours) to visitors and groups
•Provide information and assistance to the public in a courteous manner
•Support in ticket and merchandise sales
•Follow health & safety and emergency protocols rigorously
•Perform any other duties, functions and special projects within reason as required by upper management. The AWCP Keeper is required to carry out any lawful instruction issued by upper management that is appropriate to his/her post

Training
The AWCP Keeper must:
•Attend any course, conference or seminar that upper management feels is useful for the AWCP Keepers professional development.
•Actively seek further knowledge to ensure continued professional development.
•Act as a nominated First aider – undertaking training and refresher courses as required.

Requirements & Experience
•2 - 3 years of verifiable experience in the care of a variety of exotic and wild animals
•Proficiency in species husbandry:
     •Knowledge of dietary needs of a variety of species and the ability to find alternative options adequate to the species
     •Knowledge of sanitary, safe and humane procedures for keeping and displaying animals
     •Knowledge of species and individual animal behaviour, enrichment, training, enclosure design and other aspects of the role that promote animal welfare
•Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
•Ability to recognise safety hazards and to apply proper safety precautions
•Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, co-workers, volunteers, and the general public
•Ability to work outdoors year round and flexibility to work weekend, holiday rota
•Physical endurance: frequent lifting of equipment and supplies, scrubbing, habitat refurbishment, walk, climb, balance, stoop, as necessary to carry out work requirements according to manual handling instructions
•Strong communication skills for both team and visitor engagement

Desirable:
Animal-related qualification (e.g., Zoology, Animal Management)
Experience handling reptiles, birds, mammals, and rescue scenarios
Familiarity with welfare assessments and conservation messaging
Have and retain a valid B class driving license