Senior Keeper – Mentoring Enrichment & Encounters

Colchester Zoological Society; Colchester; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free zoo visits

Free onsite parking

Staff events

Discounts on animal adoptions, zooPass

Discounts on animal experiences

Discounts in Outpost Gift Shop

Discounts in food outlets

28 days annual leave (incl. Bank Hols)

Uniform provided

Regular training

Job summary

Colchester Zoo is seeking a Senior Keeper to join the Familiar Friends department, responsible for a mixed taxa section including meerkats, lorikeets, tortoises and more. You will work within the Animal Department to uphold welfare standards and contribute to husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design.

You will mentor junior staff, ensure safe practices, and deliver engaging encounters for visitors while supporting a dynamic team and ongoing development within a busy zoological setting.

Qualifications

• 4-7 years’ experience in a zoological collection or animal field.
• High standard of practical skill in animal husbandry, including training and enrichment.
• High standard of animal observation skills.
• Ability to develop husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section.
• Knowledge of ZIMS, zoo licensing and legislation.
• Skills in handling and restraint of various species.
• Confidence to address medical issues.
• Knowledge of water quality parameters and life support systems.
• Understanding of UV requirements for a range of species.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent husbandry standards and welfare to a range of species.
• Mentor and allocate work duties to junior staff and volunteers.
• Ensure safe working practices across the animal section.
• Deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors.

Skills

Animal husbandry

Training & enrichment

Observation skills

Breeding management

Enclosure design

ZIMS

Licensing & legislation

Handling & restraint

Medical knowledge

Water quality management

Life support systems

UV requirements

Job description

Colchester Zoo is seeking a Senior Keeper to join the Familiar Friends department, responsible for a mixed taxa section including meerkats, lorikeets, tortoises and more. You will work within the Animal Department to uphold welfare standards and contribute to husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design.

You will mentor junior staff, ensure safe practices, and deliver engaging encounters for visitors while supporting a dynamic team and ongoing development within a busy zoological setting.