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Lead Keeper
Location
Northumberland, North East, United Kingdom
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
4-4 years
Compensation
£30K - £30K per year
Posted
6h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
The Lead Keeper at Northumberland Zoo will assist Team Managers in daily animal department operations, overseeing husbandry, welfare, and exhibit presentation. This role involves leading and mentoring keepers and volunteers, providing enrichment, and supporting conservation and education initiatives.
As a Lead Keeper you will be part of a dynamic team, reporting to, working alongside and deputising for the two Team Managers. The animal department is split into two teams - Carnivores Team and Herbivores Team. Species range from large carnivores including cats and bears, small carnivores, nocturnal mammals, hoof stock, primates, herptiles and birds of prey. Your role will be to inspire and mentor the keepers and volunteers to enhance the zoos mission. You will be responsible for ensuring the best standards of animal husbandry, welfare and exhibit presentation are being carried out. In addition to this, you will be supporting both in-situ and ex-situ conservation, education and research along with providing input into new zoo developments.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
The Lead Keeper will assist the Team Managers in the running of the animal department at ground level, and overseeing it in their absence
Leading the way in day-to-day husbandry routines for various species and guiding and motivating Keepers, students and volunteers
Providing behavioural output-based enrichment opportunities for various species on a daily basis and carrying out and evaluating animal training using operant conditioning
Leading keepers in ensuring high standards of animal welfare including welfare assessments
Designing, refurbishing and maintaining enclosures with high standards of welfare and exhibit design in mind
Ensuring that all keepers adhere to risk assessments, bio security and safe working practices
Representing the zoo during animal presentations, encounters and external conferences
Working effectively in a team as well as on your own without supervision, supervising animal keepers and occasionally deputising for senior management
Leading by being passionate and driven with a positive outlook, to help the zoo achieve its mission and goals
Observations and record keeping with great attention to detail and communicating well within the animal team and all zoo departments
Skills and Experience
At least 4 years of professional zoo work experience working with animals in a zoo environment with a range of taxa. Experience with large carnivores, particularly bears would be an advantage
Experience of leading a team and mentoring others.
Must have high animal welfare standards with regards to care and daily husbandry routines
Qualified in an appropriate captive wild animal husbandry, biological or conservation discipline
Experience with implementing environmental enrichment and operant conditioning
Outstanding observational skills when working with the animals in the park, understanding animal behaviour and health monitoring
The ability to keep accurate records relating to animal welfare. Experience in the use of ZIMS would be advantageous
You will need to be hard working, physically fit, enthusiastic, and reliable with conservation at the heart of your drive, helping to push our message not only amongst the keepers, but to members of the public too
Be well organised, with excellent initiative and a positive outlook
Have strong interpersonal skills and be confident to interact with the public whilst demonstrating the zoos values
The ability to remain calm and prioritise effectively in busy situations
Good DIY skills
Benefits
28 days holiday (including BHs) pro rata, rising by 1 day per year to max 33 with service
1 additional day off for your birthday after a successful probation
Company sick pay package after a successful probation
Nest Pension scheme (statutory contributions)
Staff discount in our gift shop and other local perks
Free Zoo passes each year for family and friends
£5 daily food allowance in the zoo cafe
Updated 6h ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
4-4 years
How this role is positioned
Role classification
Job domains
Industries
Employment
Full Time
Contract duration
Permanent
Hiring type
Direct
Global hiring
Location specific
Offer details
Compensation and benefits
Compensation
£30K - £30K per year
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Northumberland Zoo
Team size
Growing team
Location
Northumberland, North East, United Kingdom
We have an exciting opportunity for the role of Lead Keeper at Northumberland Zoo. This role will fit in with the growth of our animal department due to development of the zoo site and the arrival of new species as part of our ambitious Master Plan.
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Lead Keeper
Northumberland, North East, United Kingdom • Full Time