Trainee Animal Keeper

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA); Greater London; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform

Staff membership card for free entry

Tw yc ross Zoo ticket allowance for F&

25% discount in gift shop

25% discount in food & beverage

Free onsite parking

Monthly award scheme

Work counselling services

Life assurance

Online discount portal

Job summary

Twycross Zoo in East Midlands is seeking staff to join the animal care team. Under guidance, you will deliver daily husbandry, monitor animal health, and engage visitors with talks and feeds. A DMZAA qualification is encouraged, with a strong emphasis on animal welfare and safety.

The role offers full-time hours, a 5-out-of-7 pattern, and a range of benefits. This position requires physical capability and flexibility to meet zoo needs.

Qualifications

• BSc in an animal or conservation subject is desirable.
• Willingness to work towards the DMZAA qualification.
• Good time management and initiative are valued.
• Competent communicator across levels and confidentiality awareness.
• IT capable with MS Office; willingness to learn ZIMS.

Responsibilities

• Follow section husbandry and management routines to deliver high animal care for relevant species.
• Record animal data as directed, including DAM daily reports and ZIMS entries.
• Engage with visitors on site through talks and public feeds.
• Support other departments (veterinary, maintenance, research, education, animal services).
• Communicate concerns about animal health promptly to senior staff.

Skills

Interest in taxa

Time management

Communication skills

Initiative

Education

BSc in animal or conservation-related subject

Willingness to work towards the DMZAA qualification

Tools

MS Office

ZIMS

IT systems

Job description

Twycross Zoo

East Midlands

Closing date for applications is: 4th Nov 2026

Contact: Human Resources ([e-mail]) Sector: Education Type: Paid Contract type: Full-time Salary: £26,028

About Us

Twycross Zoo is a fantastic conservation and education charity and historic organisation that has existed for 60 years. At the heart of what we do, the reason we exist, is to be an influential conservation and education charity, delivering on our commitments to be guest obsessed and provide world-class animal environments and levels of husbandry. Alongside this, we strive to be an effective charity with a commercial mindset, putting our people at the heart of the organisation.

Key Objectives

• Under guidance, work to the zoo’s high standard in all elements of animal care, providing the relevant species with correct husbandry, diet and care on a daily basis as directed by the Assistant Curator and Team Leader.
• Communicate any concerns over animal health and wellbeing to a senior team member in an appropriate time frame.
• Role model the company values in all areas of your work, consistently delivering outstanding experiences to our guests.

Key Responsibilities

• Under guidance, follow section husbandry and management routines to deliver a high level of animal care to relevant species including, but not limited to, exhibit servicing, diet provision, positive reinforcement training and providing a full range of enrichment opportunities.
• Conduct observations on the relevant animals during the working day, reporting anything unusual or concerning to a senior member of the team.
• Ensure all relevant risk assessments, standard operating procedures and policies are followed at all times, to ensure best practice for safe working, in line with health and safety practices.
• Actively work towards improving own working knowledge and learn best practice for relevant species. Show initiative in how TZ can continually improve the wellbeing of its animals.
• Record all required elements of animal data as directed by senior section staff. To include, but to limited to, section diary entries, DAM daily reports and single data entry points on ZIMS.
• Engage with visitors on site, which may include delivering or assisting with animal talks and public feeds.
• Under guidance, support and help facilitate the work of other departments, including veterinary, maintenance, zoo-based research, conservation education and animal services.

About You

• A BSc (or equivalent experience) in an animal or conservation related subject desirable.
• Willingness to work towards the DMZAA qualification.
• A strong interest in the relevant taxa, including their physiology, natural behaviours and management practices in zoos.
• High level of motivation in delivering high standards and the pursuit of excellence.
• Demonstrate ability for good time management and initiative. Under guidance, be able to work independently to prioritise work.
• A competent communicator at all levels across the society. Be appreciative and follow the need for confidentiality where appropriate.
• IT competent in MS Office. Willingness to learn new systems such as ZIMS.
• An interest in learning about breeding programme management and the wider role of modern zoos in species and habitat conservation.
• Flexibility in working times and duties is a key requirement.
• Physically able to complete section work as required

Working Pattern

Average 5 days out of 7 – 37.5 hours for full-time (1 hour unpaid lunchbreak)

Benefits

• Uniform
• Staff membership card giving you free entry to the Zoo on your days off
• Complimentary Twycross Zoo ticket allowance for friends and family
• 25% discount in the Twycross Zoo gift shop
• 25% discount in Twycross Zoo food and beverage outlets
• Free onsite parking
• Monthly award scheme
• Access to work counselling services
• Life assurance
• Discounts for major stores and companies on a online discount portal.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive sufficient applications.