Team Leader – Reptile Section

Colchester Zoological Society; Colchester; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free zoo visits

Free parking on site

Staff events

Discounts on adoptions

Discounts on animal experiences

Job summary

Colchester Zoological Society is seeking a Team Leader for the Reptile section to drive husbandry standards and welfare across a diverse range of species. The role involves mentoring staff, developing breeding and enclosure design strategies, and delivering engaging encounters for visitors and students.

You will lead the section in the Team Leader’s absence, implement safe working practices, and contribute to internal committees and external presentations.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in a zoological collection or animal field.
• Excellent practical skill in animal husbandry, training and enrichment.
• Excellent animal observation skills.
• Knowledge of UV requirements and life support systems.
• Knowledge of ZIMS and zoo licensing/legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Reptile section and mentor staff including deputy team leader and senior keepers.
• Develop husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section.
• Create safe working protocols and risk assessments for section operations.
• Deliver enclosure encounters and educational content to visitors and groups.
• Represent CZS at external conferences and lead internal subcommittees when needed.

Skills

Team leadership

Animal husbandry

ZIMS knowledge

Risk assessments

Communication skills

Manual handling

Driving licence

MS Office

Education

DMZAA or equivalent

Full driving licence

Tools

MS Office

Job description

An exciting position has arisen for an experienced Team Leader to join our team and contribute to our mission at CZS in a full-time role working within our Reptile section; the section responsible for a range of reptiles, amphibian, fish and invertebrate species.

Role Responsibilities

The candidate will manage the Reptile section driving forwards the husbandry and welfare standards of the animal species in their care.

As a Team Leader, the candidate will be required to input ideas for the continual progression and development of animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section.

The job holder will be responsible for leading the section and mentoring, motivating and managing section staff (deputy team leader, lead keepers, senior keepers and qualified keepers). The candidate will produce safe working protocols, practices and risk assessments for working in and around the species on the section.

The job holder will deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors for a range of species across the section, as well as deliver educational husbandry content to visiting college groups and social media.

The candidate will also look to lead internal zoo subcommittees, where appropriate, and be willing to represent, and present, at external conferences on behalf of CZS.

Main Job Purpose:

• Provide excellent husbandry standards and welfare for a range of species
• Manage employed and voluntary members of the animal section and lead the section in the Team Leader’s absence
• Produce safe working practices across the animal section
• Deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors, educational groups and for social media
• Represent CZS in external settings where required

Other Key Activities:

• Demonstrate commitment to continuous personal development.
• Perform other duties as reasonably directed by the Animal Management Team (Zoological Director, Manager of Living Collections and Head Keeper)

Role Requirements

Husbandry Skills & Experience

• 7+ years’ experience in a zoological collection or in an animal field
• Excellent standard of practical skill in animal husbandry, including training and enrichment
• Excellent standard of animal observation skills
• Excellent ability to develop animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section
• Ability to manage the animal section in the absence of the Team Leader, with limited assistance
• Ability to drive forward the overall standards of the section to a higher level (excellent competency)
• Excellent knowledge of ZIMS
• Vast knowledge of zoo licencing and legislation
• Excellent skills in handling and restraint of various species
• High confidence and ability in dealing with medical issues Knowledge of water quality parameters and management for a range of species
• Experience in operating filtration systems and life support systems
• Knowledge of uv requirements for a range of species

Team Work & Ability to Follow Instruction

• Ability to work in a team and contribute to team goals (excellent competency)
• Ability to harness positive relationships with all other team members regardless of level / section (excellent competency)
• Ability to follow instruction and carry out tasks at manager’s / senior staff member’s request (excellent competency)
• Ability and willingness to sit on additional zoo subgroups and committees

Leadership & Mentoring

• Ability to mentor and allocate work duties to the animal section’s employed staff members and volunteers (excellent competency)
• Ability to lead an internal zoo team e.g. subgroup or committee

Health & Safety

• Excellent understanding of risk assessments
• Ability to ensure safe working practices at Team Leader level
• Ability to manage risk in a zoo environment
• Ability to develop safe working protocols
• Excellent understanding of zoo emergency procedures

Communication & Presentation Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills to deliver animal encounters and experiences
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to deliver education sessions and media

Skills & Experience

• Computer literate with excellent knowledge of the major Microsoft Office programmes
• Excellent written skills, including record keeping
• Excellent written skills, including proposals and protocols Trained in manual handling
• Trained in working at height

Other

• DMZAA or equivalent qualification
• Full driving licence
• Ability to use own initiative to solve problems (excellent competency)
• Hard working and highly-motivated
• Excellent punctuality and time keeping
• Dependable and trustworthy
• Flexible and adaptable
• Warm, open-minded and professional
• Ability and willingness to represent CZS at external conferences
• Ability and willingness to present at external conferences and lead internal training at CZS
• Commitment to employment at CZS Firearms certificate

Working Hours

This is a full-time position. An average of 40 hours a week (5 days) which will include regular weekend work and will increase in busy periods.

Uniform

Full uniform (including boots) will be provided. Full uniform must be worn at all times. Boots are allocated on the passing of the three-month probation period.

Evaluation

For the first three months of employment, the jobholder will be asked to complete a one month and three month self-assessment. This will gauge their feelings of the job and assess their progress towards meeting targets.

• CZS is a non-smoking environment and smoking is not permitted by members of staff whilst on the premises.
• CZS is an equal opportunities employer.
• You may be required to work off site on animal transfers on occasion.

Whilst doing this job, the employee is likely to be exposed to:

• Category 1/1A animals
• Outside weather conditions
• Tropical exhibits with high temperatures
• Moving mechanical parts
• Toxic or caustic chemicals
• Lifting heavy loads
• FREE Zoo visits*
• FREE onsite parking
• Staff events
• Discounts on Animal Adoptions, Zoo Passes and Animal Experiences*
• Discounts in the Outpost Gift Shop*
• Discounts in food outlets
• 28 days annual leave (incl. Bank Holidays)
• Competitive hourly rate
• Uniform provided
• Regular training