Colchester Zoological Society is home to over 150 species and is dedicated to supporting conservation projects around the globe. As an award-winning visitor attraction with over 1 million guests visiting each year, every staff member at the Zoo works together to ensure that our guests have an enjoyable and unforgettable experience.
JOB TITLE: Team Leader – Reptile Section
An exciting position has arisen for an experienced Team Leader to join our team and contribute to our
mission at CZS in a full-time role working within our Reptile section; the section responsible for a
range of reptiles, amphibian, fish and invertebrate species.
JOB SUMMARY: The candidate will manage the Reptile section driving forwards the husbandry and welfare standards of the animal species in their care. As a Team Leader, the candidate will be required to input ideas for the continual progression and development of animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section.
The job holder will be responsible for leading the section and mentoring, motivating and managing section staff (deputy team leader, lead keepers, senior keepers and qualified keepers). The candidate will produce safe working protocols, practices and risk assessments for working in and around the species on the section.
The job holder will deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors for a range of species across the section, as well as deliver educational husbandry content to visiting college groups and social media.
The candidate will also look to lead internal zoo subcommittees, where appropriate, and be willing to represent, and present, at external conferences on behalf of CZS.
MAIN JOB PURPOSE:
- Provide excellent husbandry standards and welfare for a range of species
- Manage employed and voluntary members of the animal section and lead the section in the Team Leader’s absence
- Produce safe working practices across the animal section
- Deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors, educational groups and for social media
- Represent CZS in external settings where required
OTHER KEY ACTIVITIES:
- Demonstrate commitment to continuous professional development.
- Perform other duties as reasonably directed by the Animal Management Team (Zoological Director, Manager of Living Collections and Head Keeper)
WORKING HOURS: This is a full-time position. An average of 40 hours a week (5 days) which will include regular weekend work and will increase in busy periods.
UNIFORM: Full uniform (including boots) will be provided. Full uniform must be worn at all
times. Boots are allocated on the passing of the three-month probation period.
SALARY: £36,296 per annum
EVALUATION: For the first three months of employment, the jobholder will be asked to complete
a one month and three month self-assessment. This will gauge their feelings of the
job and assess their progress towards meeting targets.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
- CZS is a non-smoking environment and smoking is not permitted by members of staff whilst on the premises.
- CZS is an equal opportunities employer.
- You may be required to work off site on animal transfers on occasion.
Whilst doing this job, the employee is likely to be exposed to:
- Category 1/1A animals
- Outside weather conditions
- Tropical exhibits with high temperatures
- Moving mechanical parts
- Toxic or caustic chemicals
- Lifting heavy load
HOW TO APPLY
If you are interested in applying, please complete the CZS Employment application form, Please ensure all sections of the application form are completed, do not enter ‘Refer to CV’.
Submit your CV and completed Employment Application Form to Mrs Liz Butcher, Living Collections Manager, via the Apply button below.
Applications for the role are open until the position is filled.
Please be aware that we will only process applications that include a completed application form and CV. We do have a lot of interest in our vacancies, if you have not heard from us after four weeks of submitting your application you should assume you have not been successful on the occasion.
Please mention Jobs With Animals when applying for this role.