Job opportunities

Volunteer Reptile Keeper

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our team as a Volunteer Reptile Keeper at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo. This section includes a variety of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, including those with breeding recommendations from the EEPs.

We are looking for a motivated individual to assist the animal teams with their daily routine. The volunteer will learn to care for the reptile section to a high standard, under the supervision of the animal team as well as carry out additional tasks around the rest of the zoo if needed. There is potential to ultimately train on other sections for the right candidate.

Please note that this section includes protected contact species and therefore candidates will be require to follow safe working practices and security protocols at all times.

Daily Tasks

In this role you will work alongside our zookeeping team. You will assist in many tasks relating to animal husbandry and zoo upkeep. These tasks may include the following:

·       Carrying out daily husbandry tasks in the reptile house.

·       Accurately recording temperatures, humidity, water parameters and UV.

·       Carrying out aquarium water changes.

·       Assisting with the preparation of approved diets and carrying out the correct feeding procedure within the reptile house.

·       Cleaning and maintaining the habitats within the reptile house.

·       Caring for tropical plants within a variety of habitats.

·       Feeding, monitoring and cleaning the live food invertebrates for the zoo.

·       Supporting positive visitor experiences by good customer service and visitor engagement.

·       Creating and preparing species specific enrichment for the animals in the reptile house.

·       Volunteer keepers may be asked to carry out tasks on other sections of the zoo if needed.

Please read this section before applying and consider carefully if a volunteer role is right for you.

We mainly care for animals that do not enjoy or tolerate close human contact – if you are expecting to be handling, grooming or playing with animals then this is not the role for you.

Zookeeping is physically demanding and you must be prepared to be on your feet for the majority of the day. Elements of the role require heavy lifting and so a moderate level of fitness is required. You must also be prepared to be outside in all weathers and occasionally may have to work in areas with high temperature and humidity.

We work in an environment that exposes us to many known allergens including (but not limited to) nuts, wheat, eggs, crustaceans etc. This also include environmental allergens such as pollen, hay, dust, animal fur etc. Please consider this in your application.

Required skills

·       Experience of working with animals is preferred.

·       Enthusiasm and an interest in animals and conservation.

·       Ability to work independently and in a team, and be confident to ask for assistance when needed.

·       Ability to work calmly and sensitively in animal environments

·       Good levels of physical fitness – this involves working in environments that are both hot and humid, cold and wet.

·       Good levels of English to enable clear communication and understanding.

·       Good initiative and a willingness to learn, follow instructions and communicate.

·       Commitment to ongoing training.

Commitment to role

This placement is a minimum of 1 day a week for 1 year. Hours are 8:30am-5:30pm in summer and 8:00-5:00pm in winter