Deputy Section Head – Small Monkeys & Woolly Monkeys and Orang-utan & Capuchin Team Primate Car[...]

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums); England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading primate rescue center is seeking a committed Deputy Section Head for their Small Monkey and Woolly Monkey team. This role involves managing a diverse group of monkeys, ensuring high standards of care and welfare, and inspiring a passionate team. The position requires at least 3 years of experience in primate husbandry and offers a competitive salary with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Subsidised staff accommodation

Employee Assistance Programme

28 days holiday

Continued Professional development

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in primate husbandry.
• Proven experience in team supervision and daily section management.
• Strong knowledge of health & safety requirements for primates.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily team operations and oversee scheduling.
• Supervise daily care, feeding, and health checks of primates.
• Deliver keeper talks and engage with visitors.

Skills

Primate husbandry

Team supervision

Communication

Leadership

Animal behavior knowledge

Education

Degree in zoology, biology, or related field

Job description

• Deputy Section Head – Small Monkeys & Woolly Monkeys and Orang-utan & Capuchin Team Primate Care Staff

Deputy Section Head – Small Monkeys & Woolly Monkeys and Orang-utan & Capuchin Team Primate Care Staff

Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre

Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre

Dorset Closing date for applications is: 2nd Jul 2025

Salary: Between £22,851.00 to £28,500.00 dependant on experience

Deputy Section Head – Small Monkeys & Woolly Monkeys

AND

About Us

Founded in 1987, Monkey World is home to over 240 primates of more than 25 different species. We assist governments around the globe to stop the smuggling, abuse, and neglect of primates. Many of our monkeys and apes have been rescued from the illegal pet trade, laboratories, and other abusive or neglectful captive pasts. At our 65-acre woodland rescue and rehabilitation centre in Dorset we provide sanctuary, expert care, and a second chance at life. Our shared vision is to provide our primates with the highest standards of animal welfare and husbandry in a safe and natural environment with others of their own kind.

About the Roles

We are looking for a committed and experienced Deputy Section Head to support the Section Heads in the management of our Small Monkey and Woolly Monkey team. This will include taking full responsibility in the absence of the Heads, and with over 60 monkeys & prosimians of 13 different species and nearly 30 woolly monkeys this is a busy and diverse section. As Deputy Section Head, you’ll lead and inspire a passionate team to uphold the highest standards of welfare, husbandry, and enrichment. Rescues are frequent and require focus in the early stages of rehabilitation to meet the individuals physical and psychological needs.

Primate Care Staff working on the orang-utan and capuchin section care for 15 orang-utans in 3 different groups and more than 60 capuchins living in 5 troops.

Key Responsibilities

• As Deputy Team Leader you will assist, and in the absence of section heads, lead the daily team operations, oversee scheduling, performance management, and staff training.
• As a Deputy Team Leader you will be required to join and train with our Firearms Team.
• You will carry out and supervise the daily care, feeding, enrichment, and health checks of primates, ensuring our high standards are met and maintained.
• Daily and strong communication with your team and section heads.
• High standards of visitor engagement including delivering keeper talks confidently and professionally.

What We’re Looking For

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in primate husbandry, ideally with a range of species.
• For the Deputy Team Leader, proven experience in team supervision, mentoring, training, and daily section management.
• For the Deputy Team Leader, excellent communication and leadership skills, ability to lead by example and resolve day-to-day operational challenges.
• Strong working knowledge of primate behaviour, health & safety requirements for staff and animals, and the ability to implement them.
• Ability to manage priorities.
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions and be physically fit due to the significant demands involving long periods of standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling etc.
• Experience working with prosimians, callitrichids, squirrel monkeys, stump-tailed macaques, saki monkeys, patas monkeys, guenons, and woolly monkeys or with orang-utans and capuchin monkeys.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in zoology, biology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Commitment to Continued Professional development.
• Knowledge and experience of operant conditioning.
• A positive outlook, enthusiasm and motivation.

Why Join Us?

• Work at one of the world’s leading primate rescue centres receiving primates in need from around the globe as well as from the UK pet trade.
• Contribute to the care of vulnerable species - Monkey World is the only wildlife park remaining that keeps healthy, family groups of woolly monkeys outside of insitu rescue centres. However, even insitu centres struggle to keep this beautiful, but difficult species alive and healthy. With such a small number remaining in captivity, breeding programs no longer exist, and it is our intention to create a working group with insitu rescue centres to share our knowledge and experience.
• The potential to work with the European creche for orphan orang-utan that receives newborn orang-utans that are not cared for by their mothers. This critical work has been breaking the cycle of abandonment in captive female orang-utans and producing male orang-utans that are good with females and babies.
• Deputy Team Leader salary between £25,000 to £28,500 dependant on ability and experience.
• Primate Care Staff starting salary from £22,851 to £24,000 dependant on ability and experience.
• Subsidised staff accommodation available.
• Employee Assistance Programme provided.
• 28 days holiday.
• Continued Professional development offered and encouraged including the possibility of Educational and Travel Grants, subject to length of service.

Apply for this job:

If you're ready to take the next step in your primate care career and you want to lead with purpose and passion, we want to hear from you. Please send a covering letter and up to date CV to: [e-mail]

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