Groundsman/Zookeeper - London, United Kingdom - Zoolokal

Description

Job Description

Full time Grounds person/ Zookeeper at Zoolokal

Location: Hammersmith, West London.

Days: 3 days during the week and both weekend days.

Pay: Discussed on request.

How to apply: Email a cover letter and CV to

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the position of grounds person and zookeeper at Zoolokal. We are a peculiar setting as we are a private collection, which has no paying visitors. This makes our small team like a family; you can build relationships with both team members and the animals we house.

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Grounds Person/Zookeeper. This multifaceted role combines the responsibilities of maintaining our zoo's grounds to the highest standards of cleanliness and safety, while also assisting with the care and welfare of our animal residents.

Working at Zoolokal is an excellent way to gain experience with a range of different taxa and species of zoo house animals. It is a way to learn about animal training, husbandry, and welfare. We invest in our staff with the goal of helping them progress, learn and expand experience in all fields of zookeeping.

Key Responsibilities:

· Maintains green spaces by weeding, trimming, and pruning. Removes unwanted or unhealthy plants, shrubs, leaves and trees. Operates hand tools and power equipment, including mowers, leaf-blowers and jet-washers.

· Perform routine maintenance tasks to ensure the cleanliness and safety of zoo grounds.

· Maintenance and cleaning of multiple ponds, including Koi Carp ponds. This includes, cleaning the ponds, cleaning filtration systems, and feeding of the inhabitants of the ponds.

· Assisting with dog walking when required to the standards taught by our trained dog walkers and behaviourists.

· To monitor the animals carefully for behavioural, reproductive, and medical problems and ensure prompt action is taken to alleviate them.

· To ensure the animal enclosures are maintained to a high standard for the safety, health, and well-being of their occupants and for attractive exhibition to any guest visiting the site, and to contribute ideas towards improving enclosures.

· To prepare and distribute food to the animals, following the prescribed diets and to have a good understanding of animal nutrition, diets, and feed presentation.

· To administer medications and treatments as prescribed by designated veterinarians professionals.

· To ensure waste is managed and disposed of correctly and in timely fashion, and ensure pest control measures are deployed effectively, identifying where pest control is required.

· To provide environmental enrichment to animals within care where appropriate and prepare schedules.

· To participate in animal training exercises where appropriate, demonstrating confidence in delivering existing and new trained behaviours.

· To ensure correct import, export and quarantine procedures are observed, and to adhere to biosecurity and quarantine measures.

· To be familiar with correct techniques, such as ringing and id chip implants, used to identify animals within the department.

· To follow correct animal rearing protocols, following instruction from senior staff.

· To maintain a clean, healthy, and safe working environment for all staff members and staff working areas.

· To provide accurate daily records of animal movements, births, deaths, transactions, reproduction, and behaviour to ensure a full set of data is available for each animal to facilitate future management.

· To be up to date on and demonstrate confidence in ability (with minimal supervision) to cover for different animal routines to prevent any breakdown in procedures due to days off, illness, or holiday leave of other staff members in the department.

· To deliver talks, tours, presentations, and behind-the-scenes experiences to any guests as requested and to ensure a positive visitor experience, engaging with and answering questions from visitors as required, during the normal course of duties.

· To adhere to and have good knowledge of prescribed safety and emergency procedures to ensure the safety of animals, fellow staff and the visitors.

· To attend and contribute to team meetings.

· To provide additional animal care and support activities beyond the normal routine as required.

Knowledge, skill, and ability:

· Previous experience in grounds maintenance, landscaping, or related field preferred.

· A minimum of a level 3 in a relevant discipline would be advantageous (e.g., zoology, animal management) or equivalent practical experience. If applying for a part-time position, then we would consider someone currently enrolled on a level 3 course and working towards their qualification.

· Good knowledge of biology, ecology, and captive requirements of animal species for which post is responsible.

· An enthusiastic approach to hard work and a willingness to learn is essential.

· A precise and consistent approach to animal keeping with highest animal welfare standards in mind.

· A high level of health and fitness in order to be able to carry heavy loads and work in extreme outdoor weather conditions.

· Computer literacy.

· Good verbal and written communication skills.

· The ability to work within a department team, both as a team player and using one's own initiative.

· Good organisational and time management skills.

Working hours:

8am to 4pm / 9am – 5pm. This job role requires working 3 days during the week and both weekend days, as well as bank holidays.