Animal Keeper

Job Purpose

To assist in the management of the animal collection at LWCC, maintaining high standards of captive husbandry and under the direction of the Animal Manager.

Key Responsibilities

To monitor the animals carefully for behavioural, reproductive and medical problems and ensure prompt action is taken to alleviate them.

To ensure the accommodation for animals is maintained to a high standard for the safety, health and well-being of the animals and for attractive exhibition to any guest visiting the site, and to contribute ideas towards improving enclosures.

To prepare and distribute food to the animals, following the prescribed diets and to have a good understanding of animal nutrition, diets and feed presentation.

To administer medications and treatments as prescribed by designated veterinarians proffesionals.

To ensure waste is managed and disposed of correctly and in timely fashion, and ensure pest control measures are deployed effectively, identifying where pest control is required.

To provide environmental enrichment to animals within care where appropriate and prepare schedules.

To participate in animal training exercises where appropriate, demonstrating confidence in delivering existing and training new trained behaviours.

To ensure correct import, export and quarantine procedures are observed, and to adhere to biosecurity and quarantine measures.

To perform capture and restraint of animals with minimal supervision, for enclosure movement, veterinary examination or export from the collection, while minimising stress.

To be familiar with correct techniques, such as ringing and id chip implants, used to identify animals within the department.

To follow correct animal rearing protocols, following instruction from senior staff.

To maintain a clean, healthy and safe working environment.

To provide accurate daily records of animal movements, births, deaths, transactions, reproduction and behaviour to ensure a full set of data is available for each animal to facilitate future management.

To be up to date on and demonstrate confidence in ability (with minimal supervision) to cover for different animal routines to prevent any breakdown in procedures due to days off, illness, or holiday leave of other staff members in the department.

To deliver talks, presentations and behind-the-scenes experiences to visitors, VIPS and other parties as requested and to ensure a positive visitor experience, engaging with and answering questions from visitors as required, during the normal course of duties.

To adhere to and have good knowledge of prescribed safety and emergency procedures to ensure the safety of animals, fellow staff and the visitors.

To contribute to any conservation and/or research \& Rewilding programmes as requested.

To attend and contribute to team meetings.

To provide additional animal care and support activities beyond the normal routine as required.

To undertake such duties as reasonably fall within the purview of the post.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

A minimum of a level 3 in a relevant discipline (e.g., zoology, animal management) or equivalent experience in a zoo or related field desirable.

Wide knowledge of biology, ecology and captive requirements of animal species for which post is responsible.

A precise and consistent approach to animal keeping with highest animal welfare standards in mind.

A high level of health and fitness in order to be able to carry heavy loads and work in extreme outdoor weather conditions.

Computer literacy.

Good verbal and written communication skills.

The ability to work within a department team, both as a team player and using one’s own initiative.

Good organisational and time management skills.

Behaviours and Values

Positive outlook and ‘can do’ attitude is vital.

Team spirited and inclusive, supportive approach.

Sets and promotes a positive example.

Demonstrates initiative and accountability in problem solving.

Ability to remain calm under pressure.

Accepting of others strengths and weaknesses.

Maintains a professional, polite, positive and respectful level of communication with colleagues.

Vehicle and update driving license required.

Verification

This job description may vary from time to time according to the needs of the business and should not be regarded as an inflexible specification.

I confirm that the contents of this job description are a true reflection of the job at today’s date.

Pay: £25,420.00-£35,420.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person