Trainee Animal Keeper

Breath HR; Twycross; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform

Free zoo entry

Discounts for staff

Free onsite parking

Monthly award scheme

Life assurance

Counselling services

Online discounts

Job summary

Twycross Zoo is seeking an animal care professional to join our team for a fixed-term contract from 4 January 2027 to 31 May 2027. Working pattern is approximately 5 days out of 7, totalling 37.5 hours per week with a 1 hour unpaid lunchbreak.

You will follow husbandry routines, support enrichment, and engage with visitors under guidance of senior staff. Applicants should have a BSc in an animal or conservation subject, a willingness to study toward the DMZAA, and a practical, flexible approach

Qualifications

• BSc in an animal or conservation-related subject desirable.
• Willingness to work towards the DMZAA qualification.
• Interest in the taxa, physiology, and management practices of zoo species.
• High motivation to deliver high standards and excellence.
• Good time management and ability to work independently under guidance.
• Competent communicator across the society with confidentiality.
• IT competent; willing to learn new systems such as ZIMS.
• Interest in breeding program management and broader conservation role.

Responsibilities

• Follow animal husbandry and management routines to provide high levels of care.
• Observations on animals and reporting concerns to senior staff.
• Ensure risk assessments and SOPs are followed for safe working practices.
• Record animal data such as diary entries and DAM daily reports.
• Engage with visitors on site and assist with talks and feeds.
• Support other departments including veterinary and conservation education.

Skills

BSc in animal-related subject

DMZAA qualification (planned)

Time management

Communication

MS Office

ZIMS familiarity

Flexibility

Physical fitness

Education

Bachelor's degree in an animal or conservation-related subject

Tools

MS Office

ZIMS

Job description

Vacancy at Twycross Zoo - East Midland Zoological Society Ltd

Vacancy listed21/10/2026

Details

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

• 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.

Notes

This is a Fixed Term contract from 4th January 2027 – 31st May 2027.

The working pattern is an average 5 days out of 7 – 37.5 hours for full-time (1 hour unpaid lunchbreak)