Keeper We are looking for an experienced zookeeper to join our fantastic animal care team, as we develop our collection. This is an exciting opportunity to work across a wide range of species, including small mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, hoof stock, gelada and big cats. Critically Endangered Amur Leopard Background Dartmoor Zoo is set in 33 acres of beautiful wooded countryside on the edge of Dartmoor, in a small village called Sparkwell, just 20 minutes from the city of Plymouth. Plymouth itself has excellent travel links to the rest of the country and is known as Britain’s Ocean City. Dartmoor Zoo is on a journey! We are currently redesigning the zoo by developing a comprehensive new Master Plan and Collection Plan to completely overhaul our collection, exhibits and visitor facilities. This will be a long journey with work being completed in several stages over the next decade. This is an exciting time to join the team! The Charity, Dartmoor Zoological Society, operates Dartmoor Zoo. Our vision is to protect threatened species and enable people to help wildlife thrive. We aim to promote the conservation, care and breeding of wildlife and endangered species, encouraging and developing public interest in and awareness of the importance of ensuring the survival of species and the diversity of life. Dartmoor Zoological Society is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under number 1158422 whose registered office is at Dartmoor Zoological Park, Sparkwell, Plymouth, PL7 5DG. Benefits − Salary dependent on experience − Permanent contract − Average 37.5 hours per week (rota basis) − 30 days annual leave (including bank holidays) − Enhanced sick absence, maternity, paternity and adoption leave − Discounts in restaurant and shop − Free zoo entrance for immediate family − Free parking − Assistance in finding accommodation if you need to relocate. Job holder expectations − Assist or lead in the daily management and care of all animals on a section, including all aspects of animal husbandry, cleaning, food preparation and feeding, enclosure maintenance, enrichment, observations, welfare assessments, handling and restraint, medical treatment, and positive reinforcement training. − Maintain organised written records pertaining to health, feeding, water quality, behavioural observations and enclosure checks, and action any improvements required. − Have a positive attitude, and lead by example to other team members and volunteers, providing guidance and supervision where required. − Provide clear and collaborative communications across the team and inter- departmentally. − Engage enthusiastically with the public, and give animal experiences and talks when needed. − Support the marketing team in enabling good content to promote the charity and our conservation activities. − Strict adherence to standards, safe working practices and health and safety policies. − Maintain and develop your own knowledge, and undertake training where required. Applicants must have: - a bachelor’s degree in zoology or a related field, with specific knowledge of animal husbandry, or equivalent work experience. - paid experience of caring for exotic animals in a zoo setting. - knowledge of and ideally experience with all species within our collection. - demonstrable ability of accurately recording observations, and assessing and improving welfare. - an understanding of creating and using enrichment appropriate to different species. - proficiency in enclosure checks, their development and basic maintenance. - experience and understanding of positive reinforcement training. - experience of appropriate animal handling, catching and restraint, and of administering vet directed treatment. - demonstrable leadership skills, with effective mentoring and coaching skills to support placements, volunteers and other team members. - the ability to provide initiative solutions and have a pro-active approach to completing tasks beneficial to the whole team. - excellent communication skills across a wide range of people from the public and volunteers, to inter-department collaboration and VIPs. - good competency with IT software, and the ability to create and update procedural documentation. - knowledge and use of ZIMS - good health and be capable of performing strenuous and/or heavy physical labour and be able to work in all weather conditions. the ability to work on weekends and on school and bank holidays, on a rota basis. - - a full driving licence. - eligibility to work in the UK. To Apply Applications: via application form only (visit www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk/job-vacancies) Submit to: clare.lee@dartmoorzoo.co.uk Critically Endangered Golden Mantella Frog bred at Dartmoor Zoo