Team Leader Birds - Colwyn Bay

Job summary

Our Animal Team Leaders are passionate about wildlife, conservation and animal welfare. They deliver our mission and Bring Conservation to Life by enabling our Animal Keeping Team and volunteers to deliver high standards of animal care, enrichment and husbandry, while also ensuring our guests have an informative, fun, and memorable experience with us.

Responsibilities

• Manage Operations and Resources
• Manage and enable our Animal Keepers and volunteers to deliver animal welfare, enrichment, and husbandry practices for our bird and ectotherm collection in line with Secretary of States Standards on Modern Zoo Practice (SSSMZP) practice
• Work with our Gardens/Maintenance Teams to deliver safe, functional, and well-presented habitats
• Manage stock and resources efficiently, including consumables such as food and bedding
• Collaborate with the Head of Animals on staff deployment and resource planning
• Complete cover for the Head of Animals & Mammals Team Leader in their absence

Leading and Developing the Team

• Support the team, ensuring they have the tools, training, and resources to perform their duties
• Conduct one-to-ones, appraisals, and team meetings to create a high performing team culture
• Deliver, support, and oversee technical training for Animal Keepers and volunteers
• Actively promote our mission and the broader value of zoos in conservation and education

Coordination and Planning

• Ensure the maintenance of accurate animal records using our Species 360 database
• Conduct bi-annual welfare audits and support preparation for inspections
• Contribute to the Institutional Species Plan and animal transfers
• Develop and update best practice husbandry guidelines, checklists, dairies and procedures
• Support and coordinate research, student placements, and collaborative learning opportunities

Deliver Excellent Guest Experience

• Work closely with the Guest Experience Team to deliver engaging animal encounters & experiences
• Role model courteous, professional, and informative guest service
• Address and resolve informal guest complaints; appropriately escalating when necessary
• Improve guests experience through staff training, signage, talks, and presentations

Ensure Safety and Compliance

• Maintain high standards of H&S ensuring full compliance with our policies, safe working practices, and the SSSMZP
• Lead and coordinate staff during drills and emergencies, always prioritising guest and staff safety
• Conduct risk assessments and safety audits, implementing and monitoring improvements
• Investigate health and safety incidents and implement corrective actions
• Ensure all staff and volunteers have appropriate PPE and are trained in safety procedures
• Manage pest control activities

Qualifications

• Holds Level 3 Diploma in the Management or Zoo and Aquarium Animals

Skills

• Excellent communication skills and a confident, solutions-focused approach
• Comfortable working as part of a team, but also working unsupervised
• Good IT literacy (record management, emails/notes, and spreadsheet updates)

Knowledge

• Knowledge of BIAZA and EAZA animal husbandry, behaviour, & welfare principles
• A solid knowledge of evidence-based animal care and welfare practices including nutrition, enrichment, animal health, welfare assessment & training
• A commitment to ongoing professional development (e.g. courses, research, conferences) with birds or ectotherms
• Familiar with the Secretary of States Standards on Modern Zoo Practice
• Understands conservation issues and the role zoos play in mitigating species loss

Experience

• A expert background and experience of working closely with either:
• Birds – with experience across a range of species, including breeding, welfare, and behavioural enrichment, or:
• Ectotherms – with knowledge of temperature and environmental control, nutrition, and specialist husbandry practices
• Significant experience of working with a wide range of EAZA/BIAZA collections in Zoo/Wildlife Park
• Line management experience and a passion for developing your team
• Managing H&S risk assessments and safe operating procedures
• Willing to work towards/able to use firearms in an emergency
• Performing physical tasks (lifting, clearing, carrying) in all weather conditions

Key behaviours (competencies) for the role

• Leading and Supervising
• Planning and Organising
• Adapting and Responding to Change

Job description