Purpose of the role
This role will manage the day-to-day staffing needs of the animal section. They will directly manage their assigned Zookeepers and Apprentices. They will ensure that staff adhere to protocols and procedures. The role will be based on the Penguins and Flying Birds team at London Zoo. This is a public facing section that delivers free flight displays all year round.
Key responsibilities:
1. Line manage zookeeping staff - Keepers, Apprentice Keepers, and Volunteer Keepers in the team.
2. Allocate rotas, manage workload, manage sickness absence and Performance Development Reviews.
3. Ensure safe systems of work through formal procedures, regular training, and risk assessments.
4. Ensure delivery of animal husbandry to best practice protocols and procedures.
5. Deliver high quality free flight displays that are educational and focus on the natural adaptations of the animals.
6. Mentor staff and ensure staff complete mandatory and team specific training.
About You
The successful candidate must have:
1. Extensive practical experience of working with exotic animals within a zoological collection.
2. Introductory experience supervising or managing a team or able to demonstrate the ability to do so.
3. Working with a team that participates in free flight displays. Understands how to deliver impact displays and how to train the animals using positive reinforcement training.
4. Qualified to the Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA) level or equivalent qualification. Higher qualifications in a related subject an advantage.
5. Innovation skills and ability to put new ideas into practice.
6. Strong observational and problem-solving skills.
7. Knowledge and experience in proven techniques and initiating new techniques used to handle specific animals for training, catch ups and veterinary procedures.
We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination.
About Us
We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this.
What do we offer?
* Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct.
* Pension scheme -we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension.
* Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you.
* Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays.
* Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
* Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day.
* Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops.
* Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle.
* Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligible London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work.
* Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages.
NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.
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