Job Summary
Animal Keeper 4 Days a Week
This role will require you to work alone on occasions and lead a team of volunteers and interns, having a driving license is a must and being able to work within a fast-paced environment that is also customer focused is essential.
Let’s Talk Animals CIC/Cedars Nature Centre have an exciting opportunity for an experienced keeper to join our growing team. For the right candidate, this post offers a fantastic opportunity to work with a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates.
The successful candidate must be able to deliver an excellent level of animal husbandry, care, and welfare; ensuring that all enclosures and facilities are maintained to the highest possible standards. Alongside your keeping duties you will also play a crucial role with the Nature Centre’s visitors, providing daily scheduled talks and animal experiences along with seasonal events.
Job Outline
Animal Keeper - Start date: 18th September
4 Full days - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Additional cover may be required to cover holidays, sickness or to take part in staff training)
Your normal hours of work are 34 hours (09.00 – 17.30 April till October) 26 hours (09.00 – 15.30 November till March) These include a 30-minute lunch break.
You are entitled to an unpaid break of 30 minutes each day.
National Living Wage - £12.71 per hour.
(Bank holidays are worked as standard)
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Welcome guests/visitors and create a safe, relaxed, and fun environment for their visit
- Entertain and engage guests through the delivery of animal talks, tours, experiences, and activities.
- Leading the daily volunteer team in the stewarding of animal enclosures.
- Ensuring the highest standards of customer care and engagement are maintained across the team at all times.
- Observe the behaviour, health and security of animals and report any problems to the manager including defects or repairs required to enclosures.
- Assist & develop training and enrichment programs on a regular basis.
- Clean and maintain exhibits and other designated areas.
- Assist with the preparation of approved diets and carrying out the correct feeding procedures.
- Passion to work on evolving husbandry management within zoological collections to include positive re-enforcement training for behavioural management and varied methods of enrichment for a range of species.
- Knowledge of techniques used to handle specific animals should veterinary procedures be required.
- Be able to demonstrate initiative and a pro-active approach to completing tasks beneficial to the Nature Centre without always waiting to be asked.
- Be a positive influence on section and work well in a team environment.
- Flexibility regarding hours is crucial regarding after hours events
The successful candidate will have:
- Proven experience in the care and management of a variety of animal species (domestic and zoo species)
- An HND, degree level qualification or zoological apprenticeship in related science or equivalent experience
- Outstanding observational skills with excellent attention to detail
- Experience implementing environmental enrichment
- Ability to carry out educational talks and animal experiences to the public
- Experience of working within strict safe working practices
- Full Driving License
- Competency in the use of computers and basic software packages, would be advantageous for this role in order to maintain accurate records.
If you feel either of these roles appeal to you then please send us an email confirming the position, you are applying for plus an up to date CV and Cover Letter stating how your experience allows you to meet the jobs main duties and responsibilities to [email protected]
Cedars Nature Centre is located within the Borough of Broxbourne and can be found within Cedars Park on Theobalds lane just off from the A10. Our postcode is EN8 8RU.
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
