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
Events Manager
Role Description
The main focus of this role is to plan, organise and oversee the running of events at the Zoo. These
will include, but not be limited to, conferences, corporate team building, weddings, private functions
and parties, fundraising events, evening events (such as Roar & Snore) and seasonally focused
events.
This is a key role that will provide our charity with vital revenue as well as a dynamic, fun and
engaging annual programme of events.
You will join our team at a time when we are looking to diversify and revitalise our entire events
programme through innovation and imagination.
The role would suit an ambitious and innovative Events Manager who is ready for the challenge of
maximising the potential of our 33-acre Zoo!
Position:
Permanent
Hours:
Full-time, 5 days per week (37.5 hours). Part time will be considered.
Days are allocated on a rota system to meet the needs of the events.
Annual Leave: 30 days (including bank holidays)
Wage:
Dependent on experience
Other benefits: Enhanced sick absence, maternity, paternity and adoption leave; Discounts in
restaurant and shop; Free zoo entrance for immediate family, and free entry to
other BIAZA zoos; Free parking; Assistance in finding accommodation if you need to
relocate.
Reporting to: Head of Operations
Main Tasks
- Design and deliver an annual, in-zoo, events programme including conceptualising, planning,
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managing and leading events from inception through to delivery.
Ensure that outstanding customer service is being delivered on all events, and that any
queries, issues or complaints are resolved professionally in a timely manner.
- Be the principal contact for clients including preparing quotations, contract paperwork,
upselling and negotiating bookings.
- Work with your Line Manager, the Head of Operations, to ensure all events achieve pre-
agreed profit margins and that reporting on your area of responsibility is delivered in a
timely and agreed manner.
- Work with the Head of Operations to devise a system of continual feedback and
improvement to maximise customer satisfaction and profitability across your area of
responsibility.
- Work with the Head of Operations to generate and develop new ideas for events and
income generation.
Events Manager
- Work with our Marketing Team to design and implement an effective Marketing strategy for
events including, but not limited to, networking, lead generation and enquiry/sales tracking.
This will also require you to provide the Marketing team with information on each event in a
timely manner to allow them to organise marketing campaigns and materials for these
events. Regularly reviewing relevant marketing collateral, in collaboration with the
Marketing Manager, to ensure it is kept up to date and effective.
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- Work cooperatively with fellow managers to ensure the effective and efficient management,
training and planning of shared staffing, physical resources, products and menus for events.
Including, where appropriate, the preparation of rotas and management of directly line
managed staff in adherence to charity policies and procedures.
Facilitate regular “Events” meetings with Department Heads and Managers throughout the
zoo to ensure optimal communication, organisation and positive working relationships
across departments. This specifically includes supporting the Head of Education and
Research for any public engagement events and utilising their support.
- Oversee training and development of the ‘Celebrations’ party host team.
- Develop a network of approved providers to support the delivery of events (e.g. marquee
providers, equipment hire, DJ and bands, florists etc.) and maintain strong relationships.
Seek out and form connections with networks of external volunteers and/or placement
students to help support the delivery of large events at the Zoo.
-
- Research similar organisations to maintain knowledge of current industry trends and “Bench
Mark” our offer against others.
- Undertake any other tasks that may be required from time-to-time as may be consistent
with the nature and scope of the post.
Employment criteria
Our ideal candidate will:
- Have experience of working within a catering & events industry at supervisory level.
- Be able to demonstrate management and leadership skills.
- Have experience of turning leads into bookings and sales confidence at events and over the
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phone.
Possess excellent interpersonal skills to build close working relationships with customers,
colleagues and suppliers.
- Have proven outstanding organisational skills
- Be able to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and holidays.
- Have good skills in computer literacy and a proficient working knowledge of Microsoft office
systems.
It would also help if you have:
Knowledge and experience of developing and costing events and menus.
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- Hold a Food Hygiene certificate.
- Have experience of working in a Zoo setting or as part of an organisation with strong ethical
focus, charity connection or educational elements.
Maintenance Assistant Role Description You will be a big part of the team that looks after and improves all aspects of Dartmoor Zoo’s infrastructure and environment. Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week). Contract: Permanent Salary: £24,200 per annum Key tasks: − Maintain and repair all areas of the Zoo. − Perform grounds-keeping to maintain a positive appearance, especially in guest areas. − Maintain and repair all Zoo buildings and structures, including animal houses and enclosures. − Help to create, develop or rebuild new animal houses and enclosures in line with the animal collection plan, and create appropriate access paths for the public and staff. − Be proactive and identify and assist in scheduling works to prevent longer-term issues. − Supervise, coach and work with volunteering groups and individuals assigned to the maintenance department. − Help manage contractors as required around site. − Answer questions from the visiting public in a courteous and informative manner, or seek appropriate assistance from another team member. − Support the Maintenance Manager and Health and Safety compliance, by performing park safety checks, assist on creating risk assessments, scheduling work and researching materials. − Assist in ensuring all tools and equipment are maintained and fit for purpose. − Adhere to all Zoo Health and Safety Policies and Procedures. − Undergo training to maintain skills and course certifications appropriate to the tasks required. − Support and coach others within the zoo on basic maintenance skills, including the keepers and other maintenance team members. − Undertake any other relevant tasks to support the Charity. Our ideal candidate will: − Have experience in all areas of maintenance, or experience of the building trade. − Have a set of certified skills (for example, plumbing, carpentry, mechanical or electrical qualifications) or be able to evidence these skills. − Understand the importance of complying with health and safety in the workplace. − Be proficient with IT (updating spreadsheets and using word documents). − Be competent in writing risk assessments and short reports. − Be physically able to undertake a variety of maintenance tasks. − Have self-motivation and be able to inspire others. − Think for themselves, as well as follow instructions. − Have experience of leading or directing a team of unskilled people. − Appreciate animal needs and stand behind our values and principles.