Animal Services Operative

Twycross Zoo

Closing date for applications is: 12th May 2025

Sector: Animal Care

Type: Paid

Contract type: Full-time

Details
Twycross Zoo is a leading conservation-focused zoo in the heart of England, dedicated to science and the preservation of endangered species. This year, we proudly celebrate our 60th anniversary! With over 600,000 visitors annually exploring our stunning 100-acre rural site near Atherstone, we are expanding rapidly and entering an exciting new phase of growth and development.
This is the perfect time to join our team as we embrace new leadership and structure, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to mammal conservation efforts and shape the future of Twycross Zoo.

Our Animals
We are home to over 400 animals and are the only UK zoo to house bonobos. Our world-renowned primate collection includes all four species of great ape: chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and bonobos. In addition, we proudly care for several endangered species, including Eastern black rhinos, Sumatran tigers, Ecuadorian Amazon parrots, and four species of gibbons.

The role - Animal Services Operative
As an animal services operative you’ll play an essential role in providing stock and services to all the animal sections at Twycross Zoo.

You will help ensure the sections have everything they need to maintain the highest possible standards of welfare for our animals with duties that will include, although not limited to:

1. Making off-site deliveries and collections
2. Delivering stock around the site
3. Unloading and signing for deliveries
4. Maintaining the animal department store rooms and barn
5. Emptying animal waste skips using the tractor and skip loader
6. Browse harvesting both on site and at sites in the local area
7. Wood chipping of old browse
8. Basic maintenance and cleaning of animal department vehicles

While these are the main duties, this role is very diverse and also includes assisting in a wide variety of tasks around the zoo. Such examples include enclosure strimming, animal transport, assisting on projects, and any other jobs that may arise.

The role can be physically demanding at times, so a level of fitness is needed as well as a good sense of safe manual handling techniques and health and safety.

Essential qualities

1. Full UK driving licence
2. Good communicator
3. Capacity and willingness to be able to work outside in all weathers
4. Good organisation and time management skills
5. Good at problem solving and finding solutions
6. Experience in one or more of the following fields: Warehousing/stock control, grounds maintenance, forestry, agriculture.

Desirable

1. Telehandler license
2. Tractor experience
3. Trailer towing experience
4. LANTRA Chainsaw maintenance, cross-cutting, felling and processing trees up to 380mm
5. LANTRA Woodchipper

This role is 35 hours per week Monday to Friday. Immediate start date.

31 days annual leave
Life assurance
Company sick pay from day one of absence
Access to ‘Perkbox’
Staff membership card giving you free entry to the zoo on your days off
Complimentary Twycross Zoo ticket allowance for friends and family
25% discount in the Twycross Zoo gift shop
20% discount in Twycross Zoo food and beverage outlets
Star of the month award scheme
Access to employee assistance services