Team Leader Reptile Section

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA); Greater London; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Colchester Zoological Society is seeking an experienced Team Leader for the Reptile section at Colchester Zoo. The role focuses on advancing husbandry standards and leading staff within a mixed taxa area, encompassing reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

The successful candidate will mentor team members, develop safe protocols, and deliver engaging educational content to visitors and college groups, while representing the zoo at external conferences.

Qualifications

• 7+ years' experience in a zoological collection.
• Experience supervising staff and managing risk in a zoo environment.
• Diploma in the Management of Zoo Animals and Aquaria or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Reptile section and drive husbandry and welfare standards.
• Mentor, motivate and manage section staff.
• Produce safe working protocols, risk assessments and practices.
• Deliver enclosure encounters and educational husbandry content to visitors and students.
• Represent Colchester Zoo at external conferences when appropriate.

Skills

Team leadership

Customer service

Communication

Animal husbandry

Education

Diploma in Zoo Animal Management

Job description

Colchester Zoological Society

East Anglia Closing date for applications is: 31st May 2027

Contact: Liz Butcher ([e-mail]) Sector: Animal Care Type: Paid Contract type: Full-time Salary: £36,296 per annum

Colchester Zoological Society (CZS) is home to over 150 species and is dedicated to supporting conservation projects around the globe. As an award-winning visitor attraction with over 1 million guests visiting each year, every staff member at the zoo works together to ensure that our guests have an enjoyable and unforgettable experience.

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; a mixed taxa section responsible for a range of reptiles, amphibian, fish and invertebrate species.

The successful 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. 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 Colchester Zoo.

We are looking for an individual who is highly motivated and hardworking, with a minimum of 7 years’ experience working in a zoological collection.

Excellent customer service, communication and animal husbandry skills are essential, as is previous experience supervising staff and managing risk in a zoo environment.

Applicants should have the Diploma in the Management of Zoo Animals and Aquaria or an equivalent qualification and have a full valid driving licence.

This is a permanent position with a start date as soon as is possible. A personnel specification is available on the job description detailing essential requirements for the position.

Vacancy open until filled.