Animal Keeper

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums); Scotland; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A wildlife conservation park in Scotland is hiring for a position focused on animal welfare and visitor engagement. Candidates should have a good educational background and demonstrate customer service skills. Responsibilities include ensuring high standards of animal management and engaging with visitors through education and activities. The role offers benefits including annual leave and free entry to various zoos.

Benefits

34 days annual leave

Healthcare plan

Employer contributory pension scheme

Free and discounted zoo entry

Qualifications

• Good level of education including English, Mathematics and Sciences.
• Demonstrated interest in animals with practical experience in a zoo or animal-related environment.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and management.
• Engage with visitors, providing excellent customer care.
• Record detailed animal records for management.

Skills

Customer service skills

Interpersonal skills

Interest in animals

Education

Standard grade or equivalent qualifications

Job description

RZSS Highland Wildlife Park

Scotland Closing date for applications is: 6th Aug 2025

Salary: Salary Range £23,868 to £24,378 per annum

The role

With direction from your Team Leader and Senior Keeper, perform all assigned duties to ensure the smooth running of the allocated animal section (carnivores, primates and birds), aiming to optimise the quality of animal welfare and to deliver or support delivery of an innovative and creative programme of live animal interactive activities to engage and excite visitors in support of RZSS’ vision and mission.

Some of the things you’ll do:

• Help to ensure animal welfare, husbandry and management is of the highest standard, taking into account relevant legislation and best practice animal management.
• Contribute to enclosure design, maintenance, enrichment and enclosure furnishing to ensure it meets all the needs of the animal and is presentable to the public, e.g. positive visitor engagement and suggest ideas for development to team manager.
• Engage with and support visitors, ensuring your message is consistent with team objectives and in line with RZSS’ mission and vision whilst providing first-class customer care and service, e.g. answering visitor queries and undertaking public talks, tours and Keeper for a Day experiences.
• Collate and record detailed and accurate animal records via daily record sheets in relation to the good management of the animal collection and animal training, and to ensure accurate data (e.g. weigh, behaviours, births, deaths and treatments received) can be input to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS).
• Proactively ensure your knowledge of RZSS, our conservation work and species within the collection is thorough and up to date, e.g. attending team meetings, accessing team brief.

What we’re looking for:

• You’ll have a good level of education at standard grade or equivalent qualifications (including English, Mathematics and Sciences)
• First-class customer service, e.g. interpersonal skills and ability to engage with the public
• Can demonstrate an interest in animals with some practical experience in a zoo or animal-related environment For further information on what the role involves and essential/desirable criteria - please see the ‘related documents’ section under the site location map.

What you’ll get in return:

• 37.5 hr working week on a annualised basis working 5 days out of 7 (includes weekend working)
• 34 days annual leave (pro rata)
• Access to a healthcare plan
• Employer contributory pension scheme
• You will receive a staff membership which will give you (and family/friends) free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoos across the UK.

Shortlisting of applications and interviews for this position will take place while the advert is live; the advert will close once a successful candidate has been found. Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as quickly as possible.

Interviews are expected to take place on 12 August 2025.

Apply for this job:

For further information and details on how to apply please visit:

BIAZA's office hours are 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Contact outside of those times will get a response when we are next in the office.

If your enquiry is urgent and you need a response before the BIAZA office reopens, please call Jo Judge on 07593 580602. If you wish to reach one of our members, please contact them directly.

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales number 6789783.Registered Office Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY. Registered Charity Number is 1128168 and SC040783 (Scotland)