Job title: Animal Keeper

Salary: A1 £24,480 pro rata

Hours: 22.5 hours per week (Sunday – Tuesday)

Contract: Fixed term (31/03/2027)

Location: Tropical World, Roundhay, Leeds

An exciting position has arisen for an Animal Keeper, based at The Arnold and Marjorie Ziff Tropical World at Roundhay Park working with a wide range of aquatics, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals and birds. 

Tropical World is one of Leeds' most popular family attractions with over 300,000 visitors each year. The post-holder will be expected to work closely with the other on site teams, to deliver a high-quality visitor experience. The successful candidate will be a flexible, well-motivated individual who can cooperatively work within the animal team to provide the highest levels of animal husbandry, conservation, education, and public access in this developing zoo. 

The successful applicant will need to be:

• A highly motivated, hard-working individual.
• Participate in Enrichment, Animal Training, Husbandry guidelines, visitor engagement.
• Able to take part in public presentations, keeper talks, social media outputs and demonstrate excellent communication skills.
• Willing to work weekends to a rota and on occasional evenings.

The successful applicant will have:

• A Diploma in the Management of Zoo Animals and Aquaria or equivalent qualification.
• A least 5 years’ experience working in a zoo environment
• Exceptional animal husbandry skills, high standards of animal care.
• A passion for Animal Welfare, Conservation, Education & Research.
• Previous practical experience of working with a range of species.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• An understanding of health and safety in a zoological setting.
• An organised approach to managing animal welfare records
• A full valid driving licence.

What we offer you:

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply:

Please complete the online application form. Read our guidancefor further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Abigail Hardwick (Animal Officer) email Abigail.Hardwick@leeds.gov.uk  

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people. 

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose 

To provide a high standard of animal husbandry and care primarily within the Tropical World facility.

Responsibilities

• To assist other animal keepers in general duties to include the daily cleaning of all enclosures and maintenance of ponds.
• To be familiar with animal food preparation and hygiene methods, that may include strictly controlled specialised dietary requirements.
  
  
• To assist during the movement of livestock and when undertaking animal health checks.  This may require animal restraint and handling.
  
  
• To assist any improvements required in the facilities at Tropical World or West Leeds Country Park Visitor Centre, including participation in interior landscaping.
• To assist in the provision of interactive, educational activities for all visitors to the zoo.
  
  
• To assist in the training of placement students and volunteers in accordance with the Parks and Countryside Training and Development plan.
  
  
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.

• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.

• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.

• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.

• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person

• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.

• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Qualifications

NVQ 2 in Animal Care or equivalent

Personal Specification

Method of assessment will be through one or more of the following application form, test, interview, and certificate.

Essential requirements

Detailed below are the types of skills, experience and knowledge that are required of applicants applying for the post. The ‘Essential Requirements’ indicate the minimum requirements, and applicants lacking these attributes will not be considered for the post.  The points detailed under ‘Desirable Requirements’ are additional attributes to enable the applicant to perform the position more effectively or with little or no training. They are not essential but may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Skills required

• Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels.
• Ability to maintain a high standard of animal husbandry and animal welfare.
• Ability to interpret instructions and implement them accordingly.
• Ability to work effectively both as a team member and on own initiative.
• Ability to keep accurate required records relating to animal welfare.
• Ability to assist in the movement of animal stock as required.
• Ability to undertake interior landscaping, which may involve the
• Ability to assist in the provision of interactive, educational activities for all visitors to the zoo.
• Ability to work to set deadlines and goals. 

Knowledge required

• Knowledge specifically related to the needs of exotic animal species and their specialised requirements.
• Knowledge of legislation and statutory requirements connected with the keeping of live animals within a zoological environment. 

Experience required

• Experience in working with exotic animal species.
  NVQ Level 2 in Animal Care or equivalent.
• Experience of at least 3 years working within a zoological environment.
• Previous experience of working with mammals. 

Behavioural and other Characteristics required

• Committed to continuous improvement.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development
• Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct. 

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