Animal Keeper - Bangor, Northern Ireland

Job summary

Responsible for the daily care of animals including birds at the Ward Park facility, ensuring their health, safety, and welfare and undertake maintenance duties around the park when required ensuring all areas are well maintained, clean and tidy.

Qualifications

• Level 3 or equivalent qualification in a relevant Animal Care subject

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the general welfare and husbandry of animals including the cleaning and inherent safety of enclosures, the preparation and storage of animal food and the feeding and watering of animals.
• Deliver public facing event activities including supervising and working with volunteers, students, researchers.
• Keep a varied, detailed and complete record of all animals including but not limited to daily report sheets, quarantine records and veterinary records.
• Creation and maintenance of an environment that enables animals to behave in a natural and stress-free environment to include allowing them to reproduce and care for their young.
• Ordering and stock maintenance of feedstuffs and other consumables as required and the selection and maintenance of animal accommodation.
• Observation of animals and their behaviour to identify illness or behavioural problems and to act as required. To liaise with management regarding veterinary requirements and inspections. Administer appropriate and relevant drugs and medication for the treatment of animals under suitable veterinary guidance.
• Conducting or organise any required euthanasia in a sensitive, efficient, and humane fashion using physical means or in consultation with a veterinarian and the appropriate disposal of any remains.
• Dealing with requests and queries from the public regarding the animal/bird collections.
• Undertake as directed any horticultural and associated maintenance including cleaning duties within all Parks facilities.
• Carry out minor repairs and maintenance on animal enclosures as required until full remedial or other appropriate action can be taken.
• Ensure appropriate use of supplied IT Equipment, mobile phones and associated software.
• Comply with and promote equality, health and safety in accordance with Council Policies and legal requirement.
• Ensuring safe and proper storage and application of all appropriate chemicals and related substances in accordance with the manufacturers guidelines and CoSHH or other relevant health and safety regulations.
• Responsibility for opening and closing all lockable areas including gates and buildings as directed and act as key holder when required.
• Support the operation and implementation of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and develop opportunities for contributions to LBAP targets.
• Participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of the Service Plans responding to changing trends and stakeholder needs.
• Achieve high standards of personal performance, through meeting agreed personal targets and undertaking planned programmes of professional development.
• Examine opportunities to gain efficiencies and improve effectiveness including collaborative joint working and other innovative approaches to achieve a better public service.
• Undertake any other appropriate duties as may be allocated from time to time in accordance with the general nature of the post.

Skills

• Caring, compassionate and committed to a high standard of Animal Welfare / Ability to care for animals in ways that minimise fear, pain, stress, and suffering.
• To be a good team worker but able to use own initiative and prioritise tasks and organise time effectively.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills including an understanding and appreciation of the needs of the Public.
• An understanding of the health and safety policies and procedures to ensure that such regulations are applied for members of the public, staff and safeguarding of the animals.
• Computer literacy with the ability to keep electronic records

Desired requirements

• Prepared to work outside normal hours, including weekends and public holidays
• Prepared to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Appointment will be subject to completion of a medical questionnaire including a pre-employment Drugs and Alcohol Screening

Benefits

• A valid driving licence to include categories B or higher.

Job description