Zoo Keeper and Aquarist Apprentice

ZSL is looking for two Apprentice Keeper & Aquarists, one for our Small Mammals department and one for our Primates and Predators department. The successful candidates will be expected to ensure high standards of animal welfare and animal husbandry are carried out daily and to keep daily checks and records of animals health and behaviours and report to senior members of the team. Good communication skills and experience of dealing with the public is essential, together with the ability to work effectively within a team. You will work with a nominated learning provider to develop occupational standards, (knowledge, skills and behaviours), as set out in the Level 3 Keeper and Aquarist Apprentice standard.

The full-time apprenticeships are for a term of 2 years.

• Assisting with the preparation of approved diets and carrying out the correct feeding procedures.
• Cleaning and maintaining exhibits and other designated areas.
• Assisting with record keeping via a Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), including personal relevant observations of animal behaviour, health and welfare.
• Assisting senior keepers, and other colleagues, with veterinary, training and other relevant animal related procedures.
• Supporting positive visitor experiences by good customer service and professional visitor engagement.
• Supporting broader ZSL events as instructed, such as late evening or weekend functions, Zoo Nights, PR photo calls, animal encounters and keeper for a day.
• Monitoring the health and safety of visitors and welfare of animals in enhanced animal contact situations, including walkthrough exhibits and animal encounters. Communicating the protocol to visitors in a friendly and timely manner
• To be committed to all aspects of training related to the job and apprenticeship.
• Preparing a portfolio to support the End Point Assessment (EPA) which involves a multiple-choice test, observations and a professional discussion based on portfolio for the apprenticeship scheme.
• This post requires weekend and bank holiday working and flexibility with rotas at short notice. This may include a sudden change of start or finishing time.

• Being able to work in a large team.
• Attention to detail and the ability to follow strict protocols.
• Good communication skills, teamwork, and experience of dealing with the public are essential.
• This is a physically demanding position, dependant on section either working indoors in artificially high &/or humid conditions or extensive outside working with direct exposure to the weather.

Please note: The positions are located at London Zoo. Working hours are an average of 37.5 per week worked within an annual roster, which includes bank holidays and weekends.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds. We actively encourage applications from disabled and ethnic minority candidates as those demographics are currently under-represented across ZSL.

What do we offer?

You will have access to a blended program of Wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program as well as regular webinars and activities around mental, physical, social, and financial wellbeing. The opportunity to be part of an organisation that is committed to improving diversity and inclusion.

Other benefits include 25 days holiday, life assurance, stakeholder pension (ZSL will also match further contributions you may choose to make up to a further 5% - limited to 12% employer contributions), complimentary zoo tickets with a 30% discount in shops and online, subsidised canteen, enhanced paternity and maternity leave, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym membership and access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities.

Ultimately, you’ll know that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct.

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating which position/s they wish to be considered for, why they want the position and including details of availability), and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please contact recruitment@zsl.org

By submitting your application you are agreeing to your CV being screened by our learning provider to check eligibility/criteria for the apprenticeship programme and that you agree to being contacted by the learning provider to discuss your experience.

Closing date for applications: Midnight (23:59) on 2nd July 2023

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.