Veterinary Surgeon (weekends)

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA); Greater London; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 17,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave (up to 38 after 5

Free entry to wetland centres

Free parking

Cycle to work

Contributory pension

Life assurance

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

WWT Slimbridge (Centre) in South-West England is seeking a part-time veterinary professional to provide weekend animal healthcare cover. You will diagnose conditions, perform post-mortems, and support disease prevention and licensing across centres, with occasional conservation-health activities.

Based at Slimbridge, you’ll monitor animal health year‑round and remotely oversee other WWT zoos as needed. Weekend work and a strong wildlife focus define the role.

Qualifications

• Veterinary degree required.
• Experience in a busy veterinary environment including exotic species.
• Experience conducting post-mortem examinations.
• Avian pathology knowledge preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide weekend veterinary cover and clinical diagnosis.
• Assist with disease prevention, zoo licensing and bird care.
• Contribute to conservation animal health activities.

Education

Veterinary degree

Exotic species experience

Post-mortem examinations experience

Job description

WWT Slimbridge (Centre)

South-West England

Closing date for applications is: 20th Sep 2026

Contact: Recruitment Team ([e-mail]) Sector: Animal Care Type: Paid Contract type: Part-time Salary: £15,522.80 per annum (FTE £38,807)

About The Role

We are looking for a proactive and focused individual to join our Animal Healthcare Team in providing weekend Veterinary cover. Your main responsibilities will be for clinical diagnosis and post mortem examinations of the animals, you will also assist with disease prevention, zoo licensing, wild bird care and occasionally conservation animal health activities.

Working in a fast paced environment you will be part of a team expected to deliver comprehensive animal health cover throughout the year, based at Slimbridge Wetland Centre you will also remotely oversee the other WWT Zoo’s.

About You

The successful candidate will have:

• a veterinary degree
• experience of working in a busy veterinary environment including clinical work with exotic species
• experience of conducting post-mortem examinations

Ideally they will have specialist knowledge of avian pathology and biology.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

Registered Charity Number England & Wales, no 1030884 and Scotland, no SC039410