Animal Keeper

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums); Wales; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a passionate team at a renowned zoo in North Wales, dedicated to wildlife conservation and animal care. As an Animal Keeper, you'll provide essential husbandry for exotic species while ensuring a memorable experience for guests. This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a beautiful environment, engage with the public, and contribute to conservation efforts. With a focus on teamwork and professional development, you'll thrive in an organization committed to animal welfare and education. If you're ready to make a difference and grow in your career, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Training and Development Opportunities

Free Family Admission

Free Uniform

Free Staff Parking

Employee Assistance Wellbeing Programme

Discounts in Restaurant and Gift Shop

Holiday Scheme Up to 33 Days

Company Sick Pay

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in animal care or related field.
• GCSE Maths and English grade C/4 or above.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily husbandry for a variety of exotic species.
• Monitor animal health and behavior, recording observations.
• Engage with guests to deliver informal education activities.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication Skills

IT Skills

Customer Service

Animal Husbandry Knowledge

Education

Diploma in Animal Management

GCSE Maths and English

Job description

Welsh Mountain Zoo - National Zoological Society of Wales

Welsh Mountain Zoo - National Zoological Society of Wales

Wales Closing date for applications is: 16th May 2025

Our Animal Keepers are passionate about wildlife, conservation and animal husbandry. They help us to deliver our mission and Bring Conservation to Life through delivering high standards of animal care, enrichment and husbandry, while also ensuring our guests have an informative, fun, and memorable experience with us.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES FOR THE ROLE

We are looking for someone who can:

• Provide daily husbandry including feeding & enrichment for a variety of exotic species
• Safely move, catch and restrain animals using the correct techniques and equipment
• Assist in the treatment and medication of animals
• Clean and maintain habitats to encourage natural behaviours and breading
• Monitor animal health and behaviour - recording and reporting observations
• Engage with guests to deliver informal education activities
• Follow H&S procedures to ensure the safety of animals, staff, and guests
• Work collaboratively as part of a team, and support other zoo operations as required
• Complete all mandatory training and continuing professional development
• Deliver all work in line with our policies and procedures including our Animal Welfare, GDPR, Health and Safety, Security, Finance, People, and Volunteering arrangements

KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE

Qualifications

• Working towards/holds a relevant qualification in animal care or a related field (e.g. Diploma or higher in Animal Management)
• GCSE Maths and English grade C/4 or above

Skills

• Comfortable working as part of a team, but also working unsupervised
• Has good IT skills to maintain records, send emails, complete e-learning
• Holds excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Working towards/able to deploy firearms in emergency situation
• Able to deliver exceptional levels of customer service

Knowledge

• Knowledgeable in animal husbandry, behaviour, and welfare principles

Experience

• Holds significant practical experience of working with a range of exotic animals and completing husbandry tasks in a zoo/wildlife park setting
• Able to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting, cleaning, and working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Proficient in monitoring animal health and behaviour - recording and reporting observations

Key competencies for the role

• Planning and Organising
• Working with People
• Delivering Results and Meeting Customer Expectations
• Following Instructions and Procedures

As well as working with our wonderful animals and amazing team in one of the most beautiful visitor attractions in North Wales, we also provide access to:

• training and development opportunities
• free family admission to our zoo
• free uniform
• free staff parking
• our Employee Assistance Wellbeing Programme
• discounts in our restaurant, gift shop, and sweet shop
• holiday scheme which increases with service up to 33 days*
• company sick pay*

*After qualifying service

(Please note shared accommodation may be available with this role - to be discussed at interview.)

Your cover letter should outline your motivation for joining our team to help us deliver our mission, and also provide some details about how you meet the qualifications, skills, knowledge, and experience requiremetns for the role.

Closing date for applications 9am 16th May 2025

Interviews scheduled for 29th May 2025

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BIAZA, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY

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)