Grade 2 Animal Keeper (Mammals)

• 5535
• Twycross Zoo
• Atherstone (Warwickshire)
• Contract, Full Time
• Salary of £21,434 + attractive package

Grade 2 Animal Keeper (Mammals) – 12-month maternity cover contract

The East Midland Zoological Society has been running Twycross Zoo for almost 60 years in the heart of England in Atherstone. We are an award-winning conservation and science-led zoo, and are a registered charity, welcoming over half a million people every year.

We are home to 500 animals, including one of the largest chimpanzee families in the UK, and our primate collection is up there with the best in the world! We’re the only zoo in the UK to house all four great apes and we care for many other endangered species to the highest welfare standards, including Eastern black rhino, Sumatran tigers, Amur leopards and snow leopards.

In 2014, we launched our 20-year £55 million Masterplan. Since this time, new habitats include our Giraffe Savannah, Gibbon Forest and a £3.5 million world-class chimpanzee habitat, Chimpanzee Eden, and we are looking forward to building on this continued growth and success.

The Role – Grade 2 Animal Keeper (Mammals)

Reporting to the Deputy Team Leader, as a Grade 2 Animal Keeper you will ensure a high standard of animal care in the Mammals section, which includes a range of species from domestic animals to large hoofstock and carnivores including Giraffes, Black Rhinos, Tigers, Snow Leopards, and Tapirs. Your duties will include but not be limited to:

• Preparing and distributing food and water to animals
• Assisting with the capture and restraint of animals when required
• Learning about the animals and reporting any animal health concerns to the Section Head
• Assisting with maintaining enclosures and public viewing areas ensuring a high standard of hygiene, cleanliness and exhibition
• Answering enquiries from the public in a helpful and polite manner, delivering encounters and assisting with public events
• Motivating and encouraging colleagues, and assisting with the development of Trainee Keepers and providing guidance to work experience students and apprentices

Our Requirements

• At least two years of relevant experience working with Category 1 mammals
• A passion for Twycross Zoo’s work and purpose
• Self-motivated and with ability to work independently and as part of a team
• A flexible approach to duties and working hours
• Whilst we are an equal opportunities employer, you will need to be physically fit due to the nature and demands of the role

Although not essential, an appropriate animal related qualification would be highly advantageous.

The Package

• 12-month maternity cover contract
• Salary of £21,434
• 31 days annual leave
• Uniform
• Staff membership card giving you free entry to the zoo on your days off
• Complimentary Twycross Zoo ticket allowance for friends and family
• 25% discount in the Twycross Zoo gift shop
• 10% discount in Twycross Zoo food and beverage outlets
• Free onsite parking
• Star of the month award scheme
• Access to work counselling services

You’ll work on average 5 days out of 7 per week between the hours of 8am to 5pm during the winter months, and 8am to 6pm for the remainder of the year.

More About Us

Twycross Zoo is at the forefront of conservation, education and research. We have a strong commitment to our award-winning education programme, aiming to increase the level of awareness, knowledge and understanding of visitors about our animals. We aim to inspire visitors to support biodiversity conservation in any way they can.  

This is an exciting time to join Twycross Zoo as we have recently been awarded £20m grant funding to develop the National Science and Conservation Centre (NSCC) on the Twycross Zoo site. The NSCC will support vital work around species conservation. It will bring together experts in conservation science and train the next generation of conservationists, whilst offering researchers from around the world the opportunity to study the four great apes and other endangered species, in naturalistic complex environments. The facilities will include a lecture theatre, classrooms, and laboratories, all planned to open in 2024.

Shortlisting and interviews for this role will take place while the advert is live; the vacancy will be closed as soon as the successful candidate is appointed. Applicants are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.

All applications for this Grade 2 Animal Keeper (Mammals) vacancy are to be submitted online, and strictly no agency calls or agency CV submissions.