JOB TITLE
Animal Manager
WAGE/SALARY (£)
~£27,000
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:
26-Jul-2024
COLLECTION NAME
New Forest Wildlife Park
WEBSITE
WORK ADDRESS
Deerleap Ln, Southampton SO40 4UH, UK
ABOUT THE COLLECTION
We are primarily a Uk native species collection with a special interest and expertise in Lutrinae. We have a modest collection across multiple taxa and work with a small, friendly dedicated team of keepers that really do have the chance to make a difference and be involved in the workings of the park and its animals. The collection is growing, and we are currently undergoing building and expansion works, upgrading existing enclosures and bring in new species.
JOB DESCRIPTION
'Under general direction, the zoo Animal Manager deputises, administers, and works in conjunction with the Curator, as well as directs work involving the care, display, general husbandry to the zoo keeping staff, work experience and volunteers and in addition is equally responsible for basic maintenance of zoo grounds, reporting directly to the General Manager, Curator and Maintenance Manager. They will also serve as Division head in the absence of the partners, curator, and senior Management.'
Main Responsibilities, including, but not limited to:
Overall responsibility for the overall care, maintenance, husbandry, medication, enrichment, and training of all animals in the collection and supervises the keeping staff at all levels regarding correct and modern zoo practises.
Ensures all staff are Maintaining animal records to a high standard and ensures all staff are recording the day-to-day records in the animal daily diary.
Conducts research to determine appropriate diet for animals and makes dietary changes as necessary to maintain a healthy animal collection; assists zoo veterinarian with animal health management.
Develops policies and protocols for animal care staff and zoo visitors.
Serves as division head in the absence of the Curator.
Supervises, trains, and evaluates zoo keeping personnel and volunteers and work experience.
Performs other or related duties as assigned by the senior staff at every level.
The Animal manager is primarily working in conjunction with Curator and is indirectly responsible for the organisation and supervision of all animal keeping personnel at New Forest Wildlife Park, so ensuring the smooth and efficient management of the centres’ animal keeping staff and animals.
Working hours 08:00am-5:00pm winter- 08:30am-5:30pm summer.
The overall supervision, training and motivation of all animal personnel employed at New Forest Wildlife Park.
To take necessary measures to prevent stock shrinkage or loss by breakage, poor storage or, in the case of perishables, including animal feedstuffs, by non-rotation or over ordering.
The organisation and implementation of all animal staff rotas.
Promoting the centres policy of quality customer care and ensuring we provide a courteous, efficient, and helpful service to the public always.
Ensuring that, always, diversity. equality, inclusivity, and accessibility are always upheld for all staff and visitors.
Dealing with queries and complaints in a positive manner.
consulting with the department senior management personnel.
Ensure proper accountability of all deliveries and forwarding of all associated paperwork to the Curator/ accounts dept.
Ensure all health and hygiene, health, and safety and COSHH regulations are observed, understood, and implemented and that records are maintained, and all staff are trained to the basic levels of food health and hygiene and health and safety with regards to animal food preparation.
To maintain first aid boxes and contents within the animal department areas.
To ensure correct pest and vermin controls are adhered to.
Supervise with HR all illness absentees and holiday requests from all zoo keeping staff.
Reporting maintenance hazards to maintenance/grounds person and assisting in repairs where possible or necessary.
To ensure the site is properly secure at the end of every day and that all gates are locked, and all animals are secure.
To consult with outside contractors where applicable.
The control of species numbers, arrivals, departures, and mortalities and maintaining animal records in conjunction with the Curator.
All animal feeding matters, diet and nutrition, including public ‘keeper experiences.
Ensuring an inclusive and diverse enrichment program is maintained and properly recorded.
Coordinating with the Curator regarding all aspects of all owls, otter and wildlife in situ and ex situ release protocols.
To ensure all animal waste protocols and licensing/ inspections are adhered to and that we follow the regulations regarding the proper disposal of waste and ABPs.
To ensure all local authority, BIAZA and SSSMZP guidelines are adhered to in accordance with Zoo licensing regulations.
Consulting with veterinary personnel.
Maintaining strict codes of practice for the storage and administration of all drugs and medicines.
Supervision, training and motivation of husbandry and animal assistant personnel and organisation and implementation of personnel rotas, always ensuring adequate cover. In conjunction with the senior staff.
To encourage the CPD of all keeping staff through attending workshops/ training courses run by such organisations as ABWAK/BIAZA/EAZA.
Deputising and providing adequate cover when the curator is absent, including holiday periods.
To always maintain a pleasant and approachable manner towards the visiting public.
Regularly inspect all animal quarters and report faults to maintenance personnel.
To conduct any request, direction or requirement given at any time by the ‘partners.
CURRENT EMPLOYEE TESTIMONIAL
"I have worked for the company since 2004 between both the business zoos'. I have had the opportunity to grow and expand my career and have learnt so much about a variety of animals i never thought I would get the chance to work with. The team is small but friendly and willing to make sure the park achieves the best it can. The chance for CPD are great and the freedom the keepers have in respect of ideas and input far exceeds many that are available in the bigger zoos"
WORKING HOURS
8:30am -5:30pm
JOB TYPE
Full time
THE CANDIDATE WILL BE EXPECTED TO WORK ON:
Bank Holidays, Public Holidays
CPD OPPORTUNITIES
Plenty! We encourage and subsidise ABWAK membership and courses/ workshops. Many other CPD opportunities are available, and we have recently signed up to the K.E.EP. (Keeper educational exchange program) If a keeper has a particular interest in a subject or taxa then we encourage this. All day-to-day e-learning health and safety courses are online with 100s to choose from in terms of personal gain and education
STAFF BENEFITS
ABWAK membership on passing probation 28 days holiday very flexible rota. Working in 50 acres of ancient New Forest Working with a great, friendly and inclusive team of staff
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
accommodation is not available however we are 10 minutes' drive from Southampton which has a range of affordable accommodation options
INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD FROM:
05-Aug-2024
START DATE FROM:
01-Sep-2024
ZOOM/SKYPE INTERVIEW AVAILABLE
No
COVER LETTER REQUIRED?
Yes
INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS
full day hybrid interview, part formal sit down and part working with the team in the park
Contact:
Jason Palmer
POSITION
Curator
Applicants will need to contact Jason Palmer at the email address below, an application form will then be sent out. Please return your CV, application form and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability etc). Interviews will be held at the park on a full day trial basis with a more formal interview during the day.
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