Animal Keeper - Zoo Section

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA); Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing resources

Pension schemes

Six weeks annual leave

Job summary

Merrist Wood College in Surrey is seeking an Animal Keeper to join Activate Learning. You will maintain high standards of husbandry and welfare, lead practical sessions, and supervise work experience students across a diverse animal collection.

Prospective candidates should have at least two years in the animal industry, plus an animal-related qualification (ideally Level 3 or above). The role requires outdoor work in all weather and effective teamwork.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time paid experience in the animal industry.
• An animal-related qualification (ideally Level 3 or above).

Responsibilities

• Maintain high standards of husbandry and welfare daily.
• Lead practical learning sessions to develop learners' wider skillsets.
• Supervise external work experience students undertaking practical exercises.
• Ensure the safety and development of industry-standard practices.
• Provide visitors with an informative and friendly experience.

Skills

Animal experience

Exotic taxa experience

Animal training

Record keeping

Environmental enrichment

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Level 3+ animal qualification

Job description

Merrist Wood College

Surrey

Closing date for applications is: 16th Sep 2026

Contact: Tarragon Gatchell ([e-mail]) Sector: Education Type: Paid Contract type: Full-time Salary: £24,521 - £26,128

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About the role: Animal Keeper

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.

For a comprehensive list of all of our benefits & wellbeing offering, please visit our work-with-us/wellbeing