Demo
Job Description
Job Title: Zookeeper & site maintenance
Weekly hours: 27 – 45 per week
Starting date: 19th August 2024
Based at: Trevessa, Chew Hill, Chew Magna, Bristol, BS40 8SB
About us:
We are a small, yet quickly developing animal park situated in the Chew Valley countryside, just south of Bristol. We aim to not only provide an enjoyable and stimulating day out, but to inform, educate, and inspire all generations to get involved to help fight for wildlife in the UK and abroad. Working here is a challenging but highly rewarding job, with a great freedom to contribute to developing the park to improve the experience for customers, but most importantly for the animals. We don't have set sections here and you will get the opportunity to work with all the animals on site.
Purpose of Position:
A highly motivated and confident individual to assist with the safe care and husbandry of the animals kept at Chew Valley Animal Park. The successful candidate will work alongside other keepers to ensure the utmost welfare to the entire animal collection. -See animal list below. This job will be split into two parts with some days requiring you to help maintain the site. This includes assisting with building enclosures, general park developments and maintaining the grounds.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
· To keep enclosures clean, sanitary, and enriching.
· To prepare and deliver dietary plans.
· To observe and report any changes to an animal’s behaviour or health.
· To assist with the care, treatment, and recovery of injured animals.
· To administer prescribed medication to animals.
· To plan and deliver enrichment to all animals.
· To participate in animal training programmes to make husbandry routines easier, rewarding, and safe.
· To confidently deliver talks and demonstrations to a large group of people, as well as running animal handling sessions and events.
To provide a fun and educational experience for up to 30 school children as part of our school trip program.
To provide a fun and education experience for the public in our private animal experiences.
· To keep and write comprehensive, clear, and detailed records on assigned animal health, behaviour, and other events.
· To maintain a high level of hygiene and biosecurity.
· To comply with health and safety protocols.
· To communicate effectively and work well with the animal team.
To be able to lead/ guide a small team of volunteers.
· To work alongside the maintenance team to help build enclosures and on site buildings.
· To maintain the grounds-hedge trimming, grass cutting, de-weeding, strimming, painting, digging, putting in posts and fencing, planting plants and trees and generally keeping the site tidy.
· To independently build smaller projects such as housing, boxes and enrichment.
Future progression:
Potential advancement onto a team leader role, working with the team or taking over leadership of certain sectors such as: volunteer coordinator, public experiences and events, school trips, conservation work and many other mini projects.
You will also get the opportunity to develop your skills in the building sector whilst working with the maintenance team, from full enclosures, to animal housing and enrichment items.
The desired candidate:
· An undergraduate degree (or higher) in Zoology or another animal related subject. (but not essential)
· Experience with a range of tools for basic site maintenance.
· An interest in grounds keeping/ building and construction.
· A high level of fitness, being able to sustain physical work for long periods in all weather conditions.
· Experience with keeping and looking after animals in a captive setting. (but not essential)
· Highly motivated to ensure the utmost animal care.
Excellent communication skills and ability to talk to large groups of visitors of all ages.
· Strong work ethic.
· A keenness to listen and take on advice effectively.
· Excellent teamwork.
· A pragmatic and visionary approach to developing the park.
· To work to a changing schedule, including on weekends and holidays.
· A passion and drive for animal welfare.
· Confidence when approaching and handling animals of all sizes and manners.
· Astute observation skills to monitor the wellbeing of animals in your care.
· A willingness to be DBS checked.
· A UK driving license.
To apply, please send a CV with a short cover letter commenting on your compatibility with the ‘desired candidate’ list.
Current animals at the park:
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
COVID-19 precaution(s):
Work remotely
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: £11.44 per hour
Expected hours: 24 – 40 per week
Benefits:
Schedule:
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 22/02/2024
Expected start date: 19/08/2024