Sunday, August 24, 2014

Assistant Head Keeper




Assistant Head Keeper vacancy
at Banham Zoo

About the role:

The successful candidate will assist the Head Keeper in leading and inspiring our existing team of 20 keepers, overseeing the care and management of our diverse collection of animals. Taxa include primates, felids, canids, large hoofstock (including giraffe), small mammals and birds.

Flexibility is key to the successful operation of the animal department as a whole. The Assistant Head Keeper is expected to provide cover and assistance to the Head Keeper and other members of the senior ZAM team in managing the department, including providing cover for holidays and other time off. This is a supervisory role and there is a significant amount of administrative work involved.

Main Key Objectives:

Provide the highest level of husbandry according to the needs and requirements of the animals in your care

Support the Head Keeper as and when required.

Assist in the supervision, motivation and development of staff responsible to the role to address staff learning and development needs and promote a positive working environment.

Assist in providing firearms cover as and when required.

Assist in promoting and participate in interdepartmental co-operation at operating level.

Continuously develop yourself through appropriate learning and development activities as agreed by line management in order to deliver excellence.

Undertake other tasks as required by your line management.

To be computer literate to an acceptable level to assist in the smooth running of the department.

To be able to carry out or assist in the interview process for staff up to the level of Qualified Keeper Level 1,2 & 3.

Ensure a positive impression of yourself and the company is presented to all customers (internal and external) at all times to reflect the quality of the organisation.

Monitor compliance within the department of policies and procedures in relation to administration and health & safety, to ensure they are appropriately followed by the public and colleagues at all times.

About you:

You are expected to have worked full time in a zoo environment for at least 7 years. You will currently be working in a supervisory position. You will possess the Advanced National Certificate in the Management of Zoo Animals (ANCMZA) or Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA) and have extensive experience with the majority of the taxa identified above. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills and a proven ability to motivate and manage staff reporting to this position.

You will have a thorough understanding and interest in modern zoo animal management, including animal enrichment and training using positive operant conditioning methods.

A full driving licence is essential; candidates should also be in possession of a firearms licence or be in a position to acquire such a licence.

You will be computer literate with an excellent understanding of Microsoft Word and ZIMS. A working knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint are desirable.

About us:

Based at Banham Zoo you will work an average 40 hour week with alternate weekends off, however, working hours will be flexible and include bank holidays and occasional evenings.

Some additional weekend cover will be required to provide holiday cover.

Salary and benefits:

Salary commensurate with experience and will include other company benefits
To apply:


Send, either by email or post, a covering letter and application form (available from our website, http://www.banhamzoo.co.uk/AboutUs/StaffVacancies.aspx , to Mike Woolham, Animal Manager, at either mike.woolham@banhamzoo.co.uk or Mike Woolham, Zoological Society of East Anglia (Banham Zoo), The Grove, Kenninghall Road, Banham, Norfolk NR16 2HE.  Closing date for applications is 7th September 2014 with interviews to be held the following week. Please note that we are happy to receive a copy of your CV if available but those applicants that reach interview stage will have to complete an application form.












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