Qualified Animal Keeper – Giraffe and Rhino Section
Closing Date
13th February 2026
If you are interested in applying, please complete the Application Form below and send the completed form along with your CV toMrs Liz Butcher, Living Collections Manager, by email tovacancies@colchesterzoo.org
An exciting position has arisen for a Qualified Keeper to join our team and contribute to our mission at CZS in a full-time role working within our Giraffe and Rhino section; a mixed taxa section responsible for giraffes, white rhinos, greater kudus, ostriches, crowned cranes, aardvarks and pygmy hippos.
Role Responsibilities
The candidate will work within the Animal Department to carry out husbandry duties and maintain high standards of welfare for the animal species in their care. As a Qualified Keeper, the candidate will be required to input ideas for the continued progression and development of animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section.
The Qualified Keeper will be responsible for carrying out day to day husbandry on the section for a range of species and ensuring safe working practices, as well as delivering enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors for a range of species across the section.
Main Job Purpose
- Carry out husbandry duties and maintain high standards of welfare to a range of species
- Ensure safe working practices across the animal section
- Deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors
Other key Activities
- Demonstrate commitment to continuous personal development.
- Perform other duties as reasonably directed by the senior members of the Giraffe Section (Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader, Lead Keeper and Senior Keeper) and the Animal Management Team (Zoological Director, Curator of Living Collections, Manager of Living Collections and Head Keeper).
Role Requirements
Husbandry Skills & Experience
- 18 months – 4 years’ experience in a zoological collection.
- Good standard of practical skill in animal husbandry, including training and enrichment.
- Good animal observation skills.
- Ability to develop animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section.
- Knowledge of ZIMS.
- Knowledge of UV requirements for a range of species.
- Knowledge of zoo licencing and legislation.
- Knowledge of water quality parameters and management for a range of species.
- Experience in operating filtration systems and life support systems.
Team Work & Ability to Follow Instruction
- Ability to work in a team and contribute to team goals.
- Ability to harness positive relationships with all other team members regardless of level / section.
- Ability to follow instruction and carry out tasks at manager’s / senior staff member’s request.
Leadership & Mentoring
Ability to mentor and allocate work duties to volunteers.
Health & Safety
- Good understanding of risk assessments.
- Ability to ensure safe working practices at Qualified Keeper level.
- Reasonable understanding of zoo emergency procedures.
Communication & Presentation Skills
Good communication and presentation skills to deliver animal encounters and experiences.
Skills & Experience
- Trained in manual handling.
- Computer literate with good knowledge of the major Microsoft Office programmes.
- Good written skills, including record keeping.
Other
- DMZAA or equivalent qualification.
- Hard working and highly-motivated.
- Excellent punctuality and time keeping.
- Dependable and trustworthy.
- Flexible and adaptable.
- Warm, open-minded and professional. Ability to use own initiative to solve problems.
Working Hours
This is a full-time position. An average of 40 hours a week (5 days) which will include regular weekend work and will increase in busy periods.
Uniform
Full uniform (including boots) will be provided. Full uniform must be worn at all times.
Evaluation
For the first five months of employment, the jobholder will be asked to complete a one month, three month and five month self-assessment. This will gauge their feelings of the job and assess their progress towards meeting targets.
- CZS is a non-smoking environment and smoking is not permitted by members of staff whilst on the premises.
- CZS is an equal opportunities employer.
- You may be required to work offsite on animal transfers on occasion.
Whilst doing this job, the employee is likely to be exposed to:
- Category 1/1A animals
- Outside weather conditions
- Tropical exhibits with high temperatures
- Moving mechanical parts
- Toxic or caustic chemicals
- Lifting heavy loads
- FREE Zoo visits*
- FREE onsite parking
- Staff events
- Discounts on Animal Adoptions, Zoo Passes and Animal Experiences*
- Discounts in the Outpost Gift Shop*
- Discounts in food outlets
- 28 days annual leave (incl. Bank Holidays)
- Competitive hourly rate
- Uniform provided
- Regular training
