Trainee Keeper - Kent
Contract: 0.2 FTE (1 day per week), fixed term (6-month contract)
Location: Wildwood Kent, Herne Common, Kent, CT6 7LQ
Reports to: Head of Section
Responsible for: This role has no direct reports
Grade: 5
Job Purpose
This role sits within our team of keepers, responsible for the daily monitoring and general welfare of all species in our care, completing documentation as required, reporting concerns, and working with the wider organisation to support the work of our vision, mission and values.
We are looking for a Saturday keeper to support our team at the weekend.
Key Responsibilities
Contribute to the development and implementation of high standards of husbandry and welfare, feeding in line with approved diets and correct feeding procedures and supporting the development of innovative, enriching and aesthetic enclosures with the team
Maintain high standards of hygiene, equipment care and house-keeping as part of routine duties
Comply with all health and safety protocols and documentation, including emergency procedures, risk assessments and safe working practices
Assisting with the completion of comprehensive animal welfare audits
Participate in husbandry training, enrichment, veterinary interventions and other relevant animal related procedures as required
Develop knowledge by liaising with experienced colleagues, or those with specific knowledge of different species in the park
Support conservation projects through monitoring, release, and conservation breeding as directed
Enhance the visitor experience through positive engagement with guests to the park and giving keeper talks / Q&As / visitor animal experiences as required
Support broader Wildwood activities such as late evening / weekend functions, animal encounters, PR photo calls/filming, VIP encounters, Keeper for a Day, and other Wildwood events
Accurately input animal records and data onto daily record sheets and the ZIMS database etc.
The Working Week
Your working week will be varied and busy, with no two days the same. Priorities will be the husbandry and welfare of the species in our care, accurately completing all necessary paperwork, and collaborating with colleagues to ensure the smooth running of the department. You will need to be consistently respectful of safe working practices and maintain the highest possible standards in all areas of your role.
Core working hours are 08:00 to 16:00 in winter and 08:00 to 17:00 in summer. You are entitled to an unpaid break of 30 minutes in the morning and an unpaid break of 30 minutes for lunch every day on which your working hours exceed six hours. This post is averaged at 7.6 hours per week over 1 day. The job will involve overtime, including some evening, weekend and bank holiday working as part of your normal duties. You may be required to occasionally travel between parks.
This job involves undertaking duties which include the following health, safety and wellbeing considerations:
Use of machinery / tools
Repetitive limb movements
Lone working
Working with Category One animals
Use of company vehicle
Mandatory Training for this role includes:
Manual Handling
Equality & Diversity
Safeguarding Awareness
GDPR / Data Protection Awareness
Fire Safety Awareness
Ladder Safety
First Aid
Animal Escape
Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience
All Wildwood staff are passionate, committed, and resourceful. To succeed in this specific role, you will be proactive, keen to learn, and a great team player.
Essential
Practical experience of animal care to a high standard
Knowledge of animal husbandry processes and best practice
Confidence to carry out tasks independently, whilst also having the ability to follow instructions accurately and safely
Previous experience working collaborative within a team
Ability to retain excellent attention to detail whilst working in a busy environment
A diligent approach with the ability to follow protocols and work within organisational policies
A respectful attitude towards all matters of Health & Safety, taking accountability for your own and that of others around you
Demonstrate a genuine love of British wildlife and belief in Wildwood’s Mission; to protect, conserve, and rewild British wildlife
Desirable
A relevant Animal Management qualification
An understanding of animal handling, as may be necessary for veterinary procedures
Confidence in public speaking and camera work, as some social media work may be required
Why work for Wildwood
Wildwood is a native species conservation charity established in 2002 to push the boundaries of innovative conservation and rewilding. We work with nature to fight the biodiversity crisis, to halt the extinction of species and to create resilient habitats in which nature thrives. We focus on nature-based solutions to return native species and recreating truly wild spaces.
Wildwood has a proud culture of respecting and valuing all colleagues. Our people are integral to our success; their expertise enables us to achieve our ambitions, their professionalism creates strong collaborations, and their integrity upholds our organisational values.
Employment Package
Annual salary of £5,037
Annual leave allowance of 6 days a year, including statutory holidays
Inclusive and family-friendly working policies
Training & development opportunities
Selection of staff benefits including discounts
Free or reduced price entry to BIAZA accredited zoos and aquariums