If you are passionate about animals and eager to kick-start an incredible career in animal care, we are excited to offer five Keeper and Aquarist Apprentice positions within our Animal Operations Department at London Zoo. This is a unique two-year fixed-term apprenticeship, designed in collaboration with the Institute for Apprenticeships, BIAZA, and over 25 leading UK zoos, offering hands-on experience like no other.

The apprenticeship is designed to combine practical, on-the-job learning with structured training, with a minimum of 20% off-the-job learning, supporting you to achieve your formal apprenticeship qualification. By the end of the 24-month programme, you will have a comprehensive foundation in animal husbandry, aquatics, and conservation practices, setting you on the path to a rewarding career with ZSL or in the wider zoo and wildlife sector.

Join us, and turn your passion for animals into a career that makes a real difference! 

The position is located at London Zoo, working hours are an average 37.5 per week worked within an annual rota, which includes bank holidays and weekends.

 Key Responsibilities:

• Animal Care and Handling: Working with a range of animal’s species
• Diet Preparation and Feeding: Preparing of approved diets and carrying out the correct feeding procedures.
• Exhibit and Facility Maintenance: Cleaning and maintaining exhibits and other designated areas.
• Record Keeping and Observation: Assisting with record keeping via a Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), including personal relevant observations of animal behaviour, health, and welfare.
• Veterinary and Training Support: Assisting keepers, and other colleagues, with veterinary, training, and other relevant animal related procedures.
• Visitor Engagement: Supporting positive visitor experiences by good customer service and professional visitor engagement.
• Apprenticeship Assessment: Preparing a portfolio to support the End Point Assessment for the apprenticeship scheme.
• Commitment to Learning: To be committed to and complete all aspects of training related to the job and apprenticeship.