Animal Keeper

Activate-Learning-1; Worplesdon; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Excellent pension schemes

Free parking

Gym access

Job summary

Activate Learning is recruiting an Animal Keeper to join Merrist Wood College’s Animal Centre. You will maintain husbandry and welfare standards across a diverse collection, including exotic taxa, while engaging learners and guests in an informative experience.

We require a minimum of two years’ full-time animal industry experience and a Level 3 or higher animal-related qualification. The role involves outdoor work, teamwork, and occasional weekend duties to cover animal care needs.

Qualifications

• Two years full-time experience in the animal industry.
• Experience with a range of exotic taxa is desirable.
• Ability to train and lead practical sessions for learners.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high standards of husbandry and welfare daily.
• Provide informative, friendly experiences for visitors and guests.
• Lead practical learning sessions and supervise external work experience students.
• Contribute to enrichment and training programmes for animals.

Skills

Animal handling

Record keeping

Environmental enrichment

Communication skills

Outdoor work

Education

Level 3 animal-related qualification

Job description

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Animal Keeper

Reference: AUG20269795

Expiry date: 2026-09-16 22:59:00.000

Location: Worplesdon

Salary: National Minimum Wage

Benefits: Generous holiday entitlement, excellent pension schemes and access to other great benefits

We are recruiting for a hardworking and enthusiastic Animal Keeper to join our team at Merrist Wood College.

Join us in ensuring high care and welfare for the animals in our Zoo Section which span a wide variety of Taxa and include Marmosets, Meerkats, Rabbits, Roti Island Turtles, Indochinese Box Turtles, Hog Islands Boa, Dart Frogs, Von der Decken’s Hornbills, Bleeding Heart Doves (and many more!). And you get to be part of providing a high-quality learning environment for the next generation of future animal keepers!

The role will involve maintaining high standards of husbandry and welfare daily through progressive animal keeping, along with ensuring visitors and guests are provided with an informative and friendly experience. You will also lead practical learning sessions to develop learners' wider skillsets within industry and assist with the supervision of external work experience students undertaking practical exercises in the facility, ensuring the development of industry standard safety practice, animal related skills and attributes.

Our Animal centre is nestled in a beautiful 400-acre campus and comprises of a Rare Breed Survival Trust Accredited Farm, a small domestic mammal section, and a Zoo with exotic mammals, birds and ectotherms. We have lots of exciting changes happening in the Animal Centre and are looking for someone to bring innovative, industry experience to ensure our animals receive the highest quality of care and play including an active role in enrichment and training programmes. Merrist Wood has a national and international reputation amongst employers and industry specialists and a long history of providing unrivalled education in the land-based sectors.

This is a permanent, full-time position working 37 hours per week. The candidate will be expected to work 5 days out of 7 and this may include weekends and bank holidays in order to provide care for the animals.

What do you need to be successful as an Animal Keeper at Activate Learning?

You will have a minimum of two years, full-time, paid experience of working within the animal industry, with an animal related qualification ideally a Level 3 or above. You will be able to demonstrate experience with a range of exotic taxa, be well versed in animal training, record keeping and providing environmental enrichment. You will be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions and have a positive and flexible approach to physical, hands‑on work. The ideal candidate will demonstrate initiative and a proactive approach to completing tasks that benefit the department, maximising productivity and efficiency. You will work effectively both as part of a team and independently to carry out duties and demonstrates professionalism through punctuality, reliability, integrity, and a diligent work ethic. The successful candidate will also have excellent communication skills and demonstrate the ability to engage and develop students, along with role modelling the attributes that we develop within our learners. Previous experience of an educational role within an animal environment is desirable, but not essential.

Who we are

Activate Learning is a pioneering education group with a global reach, committed to transforming lives through our approach to learning.

We see our employees as individuals, empowering them to make the right choices for their ambitions and careers. We value our people as vital to our continued success and aspire to a diverse, open and inclusive environment that provides the motivation for everyone to pursue their career goals and flourish.

When you work for Activate Learning, you’re working for an organisation that provides you with the advantages of a large employer, a trusted partner in your career development, and a transformational way of working whilst also investing in building a community environment for everyone.

Together, we will bring out the best version of yourself.

Activate Learning Group Employee Benefits:

• Monthly Staff Appreciation Awards: Celebrating staff for their dedication and accomplishments aligned to our award‑winning Learning Philosophy.
• Wellbeing & Resources Groups: Comprehensive range of resources, guides and tools to support staff wellbeing
• Company benefits: Including free eye tests and will writing, plus access to a Health Cash Plan covering optical, dental, health screening, and therapy treatments for you and your dependents.
• Learning and Development: continuous opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement through our in‑house L&D team.
• Teaching Support: Tailored induction and development programs for teaching staff.
• Pension Schemes: Teacher and Local Government pension schemes for AL staff
• Generous Annual Leave: Up to 6 weeks paid leave
• Competitive salaries: Annual incremental progression and a twelve point pay scale for teachers.
• On‑Site Facilities: Free parking at all campuses, refectories, hair and beauty salons & gym access.

Note: Some positions may require a legally mandated health surveillance check for exposure to hazardous conditions.

Activate Learning is committed to safeguarding and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a DBS check at the appropriate level.

Applications are encouraged from all candidates who meet or exceed minimum criteria, regardless of age, disability, gender, orientation, race, religion, or ethnicity. Activate Learning are committed to employing people with disabilities and will ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. If you require any reasonable adjustments either at application or interview stage, please contact the talent team directly.

Recruitment agencies who submit unsolicited CVs to any partner or employee at Activate Learning, have no authority to enter an arrangement. Recruitment agencies engaging with Activate Learning Talent Team will be on our PSL.