Animal Team Leader

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums); Scotland; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned zoo seeks an Animal Section Manager to oversee animal welfare and manage a dedicated team. This crucial role focuses on enhancing the visitor experience through innovative animal interactions and ensuring optimal care standards for carnivores, birds, and primates. With a fixed term of 7 months, the position offers competitive pay and excellent benefits.

Benefits

34 days annual leave

Discount in retail and catering

Access to a healthcare plan

Employer contributory pension scheme

Family memberships for zoo access

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in zoo management or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of animal diet and management skills.
• Experience as a senior keeper or significant zoo-related experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the carnivores, birds, and primates sections.
• Ensure high standards of animal welfare and recording for ZIMS.
• Contribute to enclosure design and maintenance for visitor engagement.

Skills

Animal management

Team leadership

Visitor engagement

Education

Diploma in Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals

Tools

Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS)

Job description

RZSS Highland Wildlife Park

Scotland Closing date for applications is: 19th Jun 2025

To manage all aspects of the allocated animal section and all related animal projects, whilst aiming to optimise the quality of animal welfare and to manage or support the delivery of an innovative and engaging programme of live animal interactive activities to engage and excite visitors in support of RZSS’ vision and mission.

This is a fixed term role (approximately 7 months) and is responsible for managing all aspects ofcarnivores, birds and primatesections at Highland Wildlife Park.

Some of the things you’ll do:

• Line manager to a team of approx. 8 people (1-2 senior keepers, other team members and occasional additional interns).
• Emergency key holder for department and on call for emergencies
• Manage all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the allocated animal section, such as. rota management, staff development and signing off completed sections.
• Ensure animal welfare, husbandry and management within the team is of the highest standard, taking into account relevant legislation, best practice animal management.
• Contribute to enclosure design, and manage maintenance, enrichment and enclosure furnishing to ensure it meets all the needs of the animal and is presentable to the public, for example, positive visitor engagement and suggest ideas for development to managers and to the relevant departments
• Ensure you and your team collate and record detailed and accurate animal records 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).
• Liaise with colleagues within RZSS to ensure they, and your team, are kept informed of the potential impacts on their, and your, areas of responsibility with regard to animal welfare and visitor experience.

What we’re looking for:

• Professional qualification meeting the requirements of the European Professional Zookeepers Qualification Framework (zookeepers.eu/framework/) (e.g. Diploma in Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA)), or equivalent qualifications and experience
• Knowledge and skills of good animal management, including diet
• Working knowledge of ZIMS and other zoo related management systems
• Worked as a senior keeper or has significant practical experience in a zoo, or animal related environment, on which to base sound professional judgements
• Deep practical understanding of current conservation science, zoo biology and animal welfare ethics
• Full UK driving licence (essential for Highland Wildlife Park)

What you’ll getin return:

• Starting salary between £33,230 - £34,060 (offer based on experience)
• 37.5hr working week(annualised hours)
• 34 days annual leave (pro rata)
• Discount in both retail/catering
• 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 Zoo’s 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 will take place week commencing 1 July 2025.

Please see the role profile for further information on what the role involves and essential/ desirable criteria.

We offer a range of great benefits which you can read abouthere.

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)