Job opportunities

Ecological Collections Lead and Animal Curator

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Ecological Collections Lead and Animal Curator to oversee the care, welfare, and development of our animal collections while also supporting wider ecological management and leading our plant team.

The Trust for Sustainable Living is a registered charity based near Newbury, Berkshire. At our visitor centre, The Living Rainforest, visitors can experience the sights, sounds and smells of a lush tropical rainforest environment.

This role combines hands-on animal care expertise with ecological knowledge and habitat management. You will play a key role in leading our rainforest team to create a thriving environment for both animals and plants, ensuring high standards of welfare, care, and conservation.

Working across animal care, horticulture, and ecology, you will help shape a living rainforest ecosystem where species can flourish and where visitors can connect with the importance of protecting our natural world.

Primary Responsibilities:

Ecology & Habitat Management

• Apply ecological knowledge to support the design, management, and improvement of animal habitats and wider landscapes.
• Lead the development of the collection plan in collaboration with all key stakeholders across the organization.
• Ensuring genetic diversity with both the plant and animal collections and supporting broader wildlife conservation both within the UK and external partnerships.
• Serving as an ambassador for the centre by hosting tours, writing interpretive materials, and engaging with the public, media and or local stakeholders.
• Monitor ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental conditions across the site.
• Work with fund raising to develop grant opportunities related to living collections.
• Identify and develop opportunities to enhance conservation value, environmental sustainability, and visitor engagement through innovative habitat design, interpretation, and visitor education.
• Contribute to strategic planning and continuous improvement across the organisation.

Animal Collection Management

• Lead and support the Animal team in delivering exceptional standards of husbandry and welfare. Including managing and training staff, equipping the department with the skills and resources necessary.
• Ensure the team follow best practices for all animal welfare, ecological, and animal related operational activities.
• Lead regulatory compliance with all relevant legislation with particular attention to the new standards of zoo practice (Effective May 27)
• Develop and review species collection plans to ensure they meet the needs of the organization and contribute to research conservation and educational initiatives.

Plant Team Leadership

• Lead and support the Plant/Horticulture team by overseeing the care, development, and maintenance of botanical collections and planted habitats to ensure high standards of presentation, biodiversity, ecological and educational value.
• To work to develop the regulatory knowledge framework for a broad range of compliance issues from CITES to IPPC & APHA.
• Working with existing staff to formulate and manage risk assessments, managing COSHH assessments, and maintaining safe equipment operation standards for all staff.
• Ensure high standards for recording accession numbers, provenance, dates of acquisition, and scientific names are maintained by the team.
• Support seasonal planning, resource management, and team development.
• Alongside the team, plan and oversee habitat improvements with a focus on biodiversity and sustainability.

You will have:

• Experience working in animal care, conservation, ecology, zoological, wildlife, or similar environments.
• Strong knowledge of animal welfare and legislation, habitat management, and ecological principles.
• Experience leading or supervising teams.
• A passion for biodiversity and sustainability.
• The ability to balance hands-on practical work with strategic planning.