Jobs With Animals logo

Jobs With Animals

Assistant Animal Keeper – Primates and Small Mammals

Company: Marwell Zoo

Location: Winchester, Hampshire

Salary: £26,436.80

Closing Date: 30 July 2026

Share this:

We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Animal Keeper, working 40 hours per week over 5 days, to join our Primates & Small Mammals team on a permanent contract.

Responsibilities will include ensuring high standards of animal welfare, health and animal husbandry at all times and keeping daily checks and records.

The successful candidate will be able to work well as part of a team, have the ability to use their initiative and possess strong communication skills, as talking to members of the public is an essential part of the role. An animal related qualification and significant, practical, relevant animal experience with Primates & Small Mammals would also be an
advantage.

Applicants must hold 5 GCSE’s or equivalent and have a demonstrable interest & enthusiasm for animal conservation, management & welfare.

Please see the job description below for full details.

Role Profile

Job Title: Assistant Animal Keeper
Salary: £26,436.80 per annum.
Benefits: Pension at 5%, 33 days annual leave inc Bank Holidays
Hours: 40 hours per week, including weekend and bank holiday rotas as required
Location: Marwell Wildlife
Reports to: Animal Team Leader
Management: None

Role Purpose and Role Dimensions: Develop wide ranging animal management knowledge, skills & experience. Contribute to the husbandry, welfare & increased knowledge of animals in our care. Contribute to education, media, and marketing initiatives to encourage public understanding of animals and promote Marwell’s charitable mission.

Financial Dimensions: None

Key Internal Contacts

  • Animal Team Leaders
  • Veterinary team

Planning

  • Prepare for & attend regular section or departmental meetings / undertake agreed actions

Animal Management

  • Carry out animal husbandry routines and environmental enrichment as instructed
  • Undertake & record animal observations
  • Participate in animal management operations and veterinary intervention as required

Human Resources

  • Attend formal & informal training as required

Health & safety

  • Adhere to health and safety policy & procedures
  • Learn & maintain understanding of emergency procedures – practice and enact as required

Communications, education & public awareness

  • Participate in education, media and marketing initiatives as required
  • Engage guests informally during course of duties

Compliance & best practise

  • Participate in Zoo Licence inspections, and other audits as required
  • Learn & maintain understanding of Ethical, Population Management, and Animal

Welfare policies

  • Adhere to environmental policy & procedures
  • Identify with and contribute to Marwell Wildlife Brand Values, mission and charitable objectives

The Candidate

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 5 Level 2 (GCSE grade A-C) or equivalent science qualifications. Higher qualifications desirable.
  • Demonstrable interest & enthusiasm for animal conservation, management & welfare
  • Developing understanding of relevant legislation
  • Full driving licence valid for the U.K.

Desirable

  • An animal related qualification
  • Significant, practical, relevant animal experience with Primates & Small Mammals

Attributes

  • Aptitude for academic & practical learning
  • Ability to undertake both academic & practical tasks
  • Strong communication skills
  • IT skills and proficiency in use of software (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations)
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Punctuality
  • An understanding of the values and behaviour expected within this role
  • An understanding of how this role supports the delivery of our charitable outputs

To apply

If you would like to join our unique and vibrant organisation to become a part of the Marwell Family, please  submit a completed application form via the link below.

Closing Date: Thursday 30 July 2026
Interview Date: 11 August 2026

Please mention Jobs With Animals when applying for this role.

Apply for this Role

Search

Browse by Category

Stay in the Loop

Get the latest animal career news and job alerts straight to your inbox

Copyright ©Jobs With Animals