Animal Care Supervisor

Merlin; Gweek; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merlin Magic Pass: Free access to all,

25% discount in shops/restaurants

40% off LEGO online

Exclusive employee discount website

Job summary

Merlin Entertainments is seeking an Animal Care Supervisor on a 12-month fixed-term contract to oversee a dedicated team of animal care staff. You will lead training, ensure high standards of animal husbandry, and coordinate daily care, cleaning, and exhibit maintenance.

Responsibilities include managing a busy schedule, supporting pup rescue operations, and delivering engaging demonstrations and feeding displays while maintaining records and complying with veterinary guidance.

Qualifications

• Good understanding of animal health, husbandry, training and behaviour.
• Proven leader with experience managing operational teams.
• Experience developing training plans across a collection and training/husbandry behaviour advancement.
• Experience with animals with special requirements (e.g., blindness or age-related needs).
• Pinniped rehabilitation and filtration/plant maintenance experience desirable.
• Significant work experience with a related degree in Zoology, Marine Biology, or similar field.

Responsibilities

• Lead the animal care staff and oversee training/development.
• Ensure daily husbandry, welfare, and maintenance of records; keep exhibits clean and functioning.
• Assist in pup rescue season with seal hospital and care, including veterinary treatment where needed.
• Oversee cleaning of pools, pens and work areas, and maintenance of filtration systems.
• Provide emergency rostered cover and contribute to training plans across the team.

Skills

Animal health & husbandry

Animal training & behaviour

Team leadership

Training plan development

Experience with special needs animals

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Marine Biology, or related field

Tools

Filtration systems maintenance

Job description

What you'll bring to the team

We’re on the lookout for an Animal Care Supervisor on a fixed-term contract, ensuring consistently high standards of the team and their animal husbandry.

Here at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary which has been at its current site since 1975, the team rescue, rehabilitate and release sick and injured seal pups from around the Cornish coastline. The Sanctuary also provides a permanent home to animals that need special care from our team of marine animal experts.

You’ll ensure that all animal care staff are always being productive and assist the Curator with the training and development of existing and new staff. In addition to this you’ll make sure all demonstrations and feeding displays are delivered on time, in an informative, fun and interactive manner and are audited on a regular basis.

You’ll assist in the daily husbandry and enrichment training programmes of the resident animals and will be responsible for the daily cleaning and maintenance of the resident enclosures and their surroundings. This will also include the maintenance of all exhibit plant and filtration systems and to maintain daily husbandry records for outdoor pools and exhibits, including animal feeding, behaviour, condition and treatment.

During pup rescue season your duties will also include leading the team to maintain the seal hospital and its surroundings to the highest possible standards, including cleaning and disinfecting of pools, pens and work areas both on and off view to the public. Assisting with the rescue and release of seal pups as and when required and with any care and husbandry of seal pups in the hospital, ensuring that animals receive proper veterinary treatment, food and supplements.

This role is full-time, on a 12-month contract and includes working a regular, fair share of weekends and bank holidays as required, as well as providing emergency call out cover on a roster basis.

Qualifications & Experience

• Someone with a good understanding of animal health, husbandry, animal training and behaviour
• A proven leader, that’s managed and lead operational teams
• Proven experience in developing training plans across a collection and a proven track record of training and shaping new husbandry behaviours to positively benefit animal welfare
• Experience working with animals with specific requirements such as blindness or age-related needs would be beneficial
• Pinniped rehabilitation experience and filtration and plant maintenance experience is desirable
• Knowledge gained through significant work experience and ideally have a bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Marine Biology, or a relevant field

Benefits

• Merlin Magic Pass: Free access to all our attractions worldwide for you, your friends, and family.
• 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants.
• 40% off LEGO online.
• Access to an exclusive employee discount website and much more

If you have any questions or require assistance due to a disability or medical condition, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Pay Range

GBP £27,328.00/Yr.

SEA LIFE Trust Message

SEA LIFE Trust Message:Merlin Entertainments provides HR services for the SEA LIFE Trust and as part of this,all employees adhere to all Merlin Entertainments policies. Please be aware that you may receive correspondence from Merlin Entertainments regarding SEA LIFE Trust vacancies.