Job Description

ZSL - Whipsnade Zoo

East Midlands

Closing date for applications is: 26th Nov 2023




Contact:
Recruitment Team (recruitment@zsl.org)


Sector:
Animal Care


Type:
Paid


Contract type:
Full-time


Salary:
\xc2\xa326,597
Position Details: Position: Whipsnade Zoo Elephants /Permanent, Full-time Salary: \xc2\xa326,597 (Inclusive Weekend enhancement) Location: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Overview of the Role An opening has arisen for a Keeper on our Elephant section at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. The Elephant section at Whipsnade Zoo is constantly evolving ensuring the highest standards of welfare and research is being carried out. This position will also assist the Section Manager, Team Leader, and Lead Keeper in all aspects of their work but primarily the care of the animals, ensuring high standards of animal welfare, animal husbandry and the recording of data so evidence-based decisions can be made. Key Responsibilities

• Observing the behaviour, health and security of animals and reporting any problems to the team leader or senior staff
• Ensuring that conditions for animals are of the highest standards and reporting any problems, including defects or repairs required to enclosures, to the senior staff on section and relevant departments required.
• Monitoring behaviour through recorded CCTV footage to ensure evidence-based decisions are being made.
• Implement enrichment and come up with new enrichment ideas.
• Assisting with the preparation of approved diets and carrying out the correct feeding procedures.
• Cleaning and maintaining exhibits and designing enrichment devices.
• Ensuring that safety and emergency procedures are always followed.
• Assisting with the movement and training of animals using operant conditioning.
• Continual desire to improve welfare and husbandry.
• Maintaining courteous and helpful relations with visitors and media.
• Supporting broader ZSL lead events such as late evenings and specialist functions.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be able to work in a team and have good communication skills.
• Have some practical experience ideally within a zoological setting.
• Have strong attention to detail and the ability to clearly convey instruction.
• Have some familiarity with external zoo associations such as BIAZA and EAZA.

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. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group. About Us We\xe2\x80\x99re 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\xe2\x80\x99re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. What do we offer? At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

• Our vision and purpose - you\xe2\x80\x99ll 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 \xe2\x80\x93 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 \xe2\x80\x93 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays
• Wellbeing \xe2\x80\x93 access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Complimentary tickets \xe2\x80\x93 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 to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work
• Family friendly policies \xe2\x80\x93 we offer enhanced maternity and paternity packages