Experienced Animal Keeper

Job Specifications

RZSS - Edinburgh Zoo

Scotland Closing date for applications is: 30th Apr 2025

Contact: HR Team (hrteam@rzss.org.uk) Sector: Animal Care Type: Paid Contract type: Full-time Salary: £24,896 - £25,518

The Role

With direction from your Team Leader and Senior Keeper, deliver the day-to-day operations including performing all assigned duties to ensure the smooth running of the allocated animal section/project, aiming to optimise the quality of animal welfare and to deliver or support delivery of an innovative and creative programme of live animal interactive activities to engage and excite visitors in support of RZSS’ vision and mission.

Some of the things you'll do

Take action to ensure the animal welfare, husbandry and management you provide is of the highest standard, taking into account relevant legislation and best practice animal management.
Contribute to enclosure design, maintenance, enrichment and enclosure furnishing to ensure it meets all the needs of the animal and is presentable to the public, e.g. positive visitor engagement and suggest ideas for development to team manager.
Engage with and support visitors, ensuring your message is consistent with team objectives and in line with RZSS’ mission and vision whilst providing first-class customer care and service, e.g. answering visitor queries and undertaking public talks, tours and Keeper for a Day experiences.
Collate and record detailed and accurate animal records via daily record sheets, directly onto ZIMS or using other relevant recording methods in relation to the good management of the animal collection to ensure accurate data preservation (e.g. weights, behaviours, health, births, deaths, training, enrichment and treatments) and provide support to other colleagues/teams including the assessment or analysis of e.g. ZIMS or field data.
Support the training and development of new keepers, interns and students/researchers.
Proactively ensure your knowledge of RZSS, our conservation work and species within the collection is thorough and up to date.

What We Are Looking For

Professional qualification meeting the requirements of the European Professional Zookeepers Qualification Framework (zookeepers.eu/framework/) or equivalent knowledge gained through practical experience working in a zoo or similar environment.
Knowledge and understanding of Zoological legislation and best practice and a practical understanding of current conservation science, zoo biology and animal welfare ethics
Significant practical experience managing a range of exotic animal taxa in a zoo or similar environment and highly skilled in a full range of animal management techniques.
High degree of observational skills and attention to detail and first-class customer service, e.g. interpersonal skills and ability to engage with a wide range of individuals, e.g. the public, internally and externally.

What You’ll Get In Return

Starting salary between £24,896 - £25,518 (offer based on experience) with future salary progression up to £31,250 per annum
37.5hr working week
34 days annual leave (pro rata)
Discount in both retail/catering
Access to a healthcare plan
Employer contributory pension scheme
You will receive a staff membership which will give you (and family/friends) free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoo’s across the UK.

Apply For This Job

Please visit the RZSS Job opportunities page on our website for further details on the role an how to apply: https://www.rzss.org.uk/hr-vacancy-single?Category=Animals%2520%2F%2520Living%2520Collections&Advert=RpI46LKvP5tDpRd4ztOoBg%3D%3D

About the Company

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) is the professional body representing the best zoos and aquariums in the UK and Ireland. We have more than 100 zoo and aquarium members whom we support in their commitment to be at the forefront of conservation, education and research. These days modern zoos and aquariums are much more than places where the public can go to view a range of animals. Whilst providing a safe and fun-filled family day out is something our members are understandably proud of, by dis... Know more

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