Curator of Living Collections (Animals / Life Sciences)

Curator of Living Collections (Animals / Life Sciences)

Based in the heart of England, Twycross Zoo (TZ) is an award- winning conservation charity and rapidly growing visitor attraction.

The Zoo is committed to supporting global welfare and conservation efforts in the captive breeding of endangered species whilst supporting projects from many different countries around the world, including Ape Action Africa, Lola Ya Bonobo and the FFI Cao Vit Gibbon Project.

In 2014, the Zoo launched its 20-year, £55million Masterplan. Since this time, new habitats which have opened to the public include Giraffe Savannah and Gibbon Forest. Recently TZ have opened a £3.5 million new world-class chimpanzee habitat, Chimpanzee Eden, and are looking forward to building on this continued growth and success. As part of the Zoo’s Masterplan development programme, other investments have also included new habitats and renovations such as Lorikeet Landing, a Lemur walk-through and Butterfly Forest, all of which offer visitors an immersive and inspiring experience with the animals.

At TZ you’ll be part of an evolving and progressive organisation, with staff engagement at its very core by ensuring inclusion through superb communication. TZ offers a diverse range of roles and is committed to the fundamental approach of equal opportunities in employment. The Zoo’s team strives to educate and inspire everyone to care about, and therefore contribute to saving, the other species with which we share our planet. With a dedicated and enthusiastic team of colleagues at its heart, the Zoo aims to become a recognised “Centre of Excellence” that continues to make a significant contribution to the welfare and conservation of animals, especially primates, by being at the heart of conservation.

What will this role of Curator of Living Collections entail?

Working as part of the Senior Management Team, you’ll be responsible for managing the Animal Department at Twycross Zoo, ensuring the team have the required resources and support to maintain a high standard of animal husbandry and welfare. You’ll also contribute to the future development of the department with your duties to include, although not be limited to:

• Ensuring the requirements for animal welfare and the presentation of the collections are met

• Producing and implementing the operational objectives, and managing the budget for the Animal Department

• Representing the Zoo on appropriate professional and scientific bodies, and promoting its profile and reputation

• Ensuring that effective line management of the Animal team is met, providing motivational support and drive, whilst also ensuring good communication with line managers

• Providing input to the Animal Collection Plan, liaising with internal and external partners

• Contributing to the overall management and organisational development of the Zoo

• Ensuring up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the animal species within the collections, with an emphasis on primates

• Undertaking training as a first aider and being on call as part of the Zoo's first aid duty rota

• Participating in the management of the emergency response team

• Undertaking Duty Zoo Manager shifts on a rota basis, including weekends

What will I need to be considered for this Curator of Living Collections vacancy?

• Significant experience at senior level within Zoo animal management, with a working knowledge of all taxa within the animal collection, with an emphasis on primates / Great Apes

• Superb leadership skills, with the ability to effectively motivate colleagues

• A passion for the Zoo’s work and purpose

• Good IT literacy with working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ZIMS (Zoological Information Management Software)

• Superb communication and decision-making skills, with the ability to remain calm under pressure

• A positive and flexible approach to duties and working hours

What will I receive in return?

Salary: £40,000 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, usually working Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm (1 hour unpaid lunch break), however flexibility will be required to meet business needs including some weekend work

Benefits: 31 days holiday per annum (inclusive of bank holidays), along with the benefit of a staff membership card giving you free entry to the Zoo on your days off and discounts in our retail and food outlets. Free onsite parking.

Location: Atherstone, Warwickshire (on the A444, which is easily accessed via the A5 and the M42 Junction 11).

To apply for this position, please head over to  https://jobs.twycrosszoo.org/twycrosszoo/Search   , where you will be able to select this role and submit your CV for consideration. 

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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CURATOR & HEAD KEEPER OF BIRDS

CURATOR & HEAD KEEPER OF BIRDS

The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) was established in 2003 by Allwetterzoo Münster and the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP). It was one of the first nature conservation centres in Cambodia, located within Phnom Kulen National Park at the trailhead to the historic site of Kbal Spean, about 50km north of Siem Reap Town and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor. The animal collection at ACCB currently includes approximately 630 individuals from about 40 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. 

The primary goals of the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity are:

ü        To promote the rescue of selected native Cambodian wildlife and to provide adequate rehabilitation and release facilities while ensuring the maintenance of internationally recognized standards.

ü        To provide facilities and technical expertise for the conservation breeding of selected threatened species, and to initiate and carry out appropriate reintroduction programs.

ü        To serve as an education and training centre for communities, wildlife officials and visitors to the centre in order to increase awareness of and build capacity for conservation and environmental protection and management, and to promote the sustainable use of natural resources.

ü        To initiate and participate in wildlife conservation and research activities in Cambodia, including in situ conservation activities, species recovery efforts, biodiversity inventories and natural resource-use assessment, and to provide information to support management recommendations for protected areas.        

ACCB currently offers an exciting and unique opportunity for a Curator & Head Keeper of Birds to join a team of passionate conservationists! Besides working with a variety of species of diurnal raptors, owls, parakeets and other avian species native to Cambodia, the successful candidate will be working on establishing conservation breeding programmes for Giant Ibis, White-shouldered Ibis and Greater Adjutant Stork and improve existing programmes for Green Peafowl, Lesser Adjutant and Woolly-necked Storks.

Beyond that, she or he will share the responsibility for ACCB’s mammal collection with the Curator & Head Keeper of Reptiles.

This is a challenging but rewarding position for a highly dedicated and motivated individual with a keen interest in making a contribution towards conservation. In addition, she or he will have to be prepared to support a variety of other activities at ACCB as required, such as covering of the Curator & Head Keeper of Reptiles when needed, assisting the Veterinarian, helping with environmental education, maintenance, administration, participation in special events, or fundraising. The Curator & Head Keeper of Birds is required to live permanently on-site and to be on call for emergencies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Curator & Head Keeper of Birds plans, makes recommendations and implements all aspects of animal arrivals, husbandry, record keeping, enrichment, breeding, display and rehabilitation and release with a focus on birds.

Furthermore, she or he will manage parts of ACCB’s mammal collection (mostly small carnivores).

The successful candidate will work closely with the Curator & Head Keeper of Reptiles, the Veterinarian and (regarding releases) with the Field Conservation Manager and report to the Project Manager. She or he will participate in the long-term planning for the ACCB with regards to conservation breeding programmes, animal husbandry, animal facilities and staff developments in the Animal Department.

Main duties and responsibilities of the Curator & Head Keeper of Birds are:

§        Supervise and carry out all aspects of animal husbandry and rehabilitation; environmental, dietary and sensory enrichment; preparation for release and animal record keeping

§        Develop, recommend and implement protocols, standards and guidelines relating to animal husbandry, conservation breeding, enrichment and preparation for release in order to ensure ACCB’s animal collection receives the best husbandry and care possible by international standards

§        Oversee and carry out all aspects of animal training and operant conditioning of the permanent animal collection to enhance animal welfare, enrichment and safety

§        Carry out and supervise all aspects of artificial incubation of avian eggs and special care for neonates and juveniles

§        Collaborate with the team of the Animal Department in all aspects of hand-rearing of rescued juveniles/orphans of a variety of taxa where necessary

§        Collaborate with the Project Manager, Field Conservation Manager, and Animal Department Team in pre-release assessments of animals prior to (re-)introduction to the wild

§        Coordinate closely with the Field Conservation Department regarding release sites or post-release monitoring when required

§        Coordinate and conduct animal rescues and releases

§        Carry out animal observations with regards to health issues and behaviour and inform the Veterinarian when illness or injury is suspected

§        Assist the Veterinarian with animal treatments

§        Participate in research projects and scientific publications if required

§        Identify issues with and make suggestions on how to achieve genetically diverse breeding populations, including arrangement of animal transfers with other institutions

§        Continually learn and adapt techniques to optimize animal husbandry and breeding success

§        Coordinate closely with the Project Manager in the design, modification and building of enclosures

§        Perform routine inspection of enclosures for cleanliness and structural defects and perform minor maintenance and repair of animal enclosures when feasible

§        Identify safety hazards within the Animal Department and develop mitigations

§        Co-Supervise the animal keeping team with the Curator & Head Keeper of Reptiles; provide leadership to all subordinate employees and develop training plans

§        Ensure the training and development of staff expertise in animal husbandry, animal training, conditioning and enrichment

§        Develop and implement safety guidelines and train subordinate staff members regularly in all safety procedures and considerations; oversee the compliance of the safety guidelines

§        Assist in the supervision of interns, students or volunteers in collaboration with the senior staff

§        Keep and report animal records, maintain and improve databases for all animal management records (ZIMS and other software)

§        Develop and improve existing standard operating procedures for the Animal Department

§        Report writing

§        Prepare budget plans in close collaboration with the Curator & Head Keeper of Reptiles and the Project Manager

§        Prepare budget requests and responsibly manage the allocated budget for the animal welfare and conservation breeding programmes

§        Purchase and organization of animal food, supplies and enclosure-maintenance materials

Requirements

§        A degree in zoology, biology, conservation, animal behavior, zoo keeping or related field, or proven equivalent work experience

§        Proven working experience with a variety of avian species in a zoo, rescue centre, breeding centre or similar working environment is required

§        A keen interest in conservation is essential

§        Experience in hand-rearing of avian neonates is required

§        Experience in artificial incubation is required

§        Experience in falconry techniques and their application to the rehabilitation of birds of prey would be an advantage

§        Working experience with mammals and chelonians would be an advantage

§        Demonstrable experience in staff training and capacity building would be an advantage

§        Excellent administration, organization and communication skills

§        Sound knowledge of wildlife and habitat conservation, especially with regards to Southeast Asian conservation issues

§        Good command of English (spoken and written)

§        Good improvisational and practical skills

§        Flexibility and ability to cope with a sometimes heavy workload (also on weekends and possible night shifts) and to multi-task in a demanding environment

§        Ability to live and work under simple conditions in a rural area. Some previous experience of working/living in developing countries and/or in tropical climates would be an advantage

§        Computer literacy with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office. ZIMS experience would be an advantage

§        Physically fit and able to work in a hot and humid climate

§        Team-working skills and ability to work in a multi-national team

§        Cultural sensitivity

§        A clean driving license for cars

Conditions/remuneration:

§        Free shared accommodation (private room with access to shared bathroom, kitchen and living room), water, electricity and internet at ACCB, located at Kbal Spean in Phnom Kulen National Park

§        Airfare to/from site if required, including one return flight per year (for contracts >1 year)

§        Health Insurance expenses will be reimbursed up to 1000 USD per year

§        Full-time work (usually from 7-11 am and 1-5 pm), with flexibility as required and on-call availability for emergencies

§        6 days off per month

§        30 days annual leave per calendar year

§        The salary provided will be sufficient to allow for a comfortable living in Cambodia

Closing date: Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled

Preference will be given to candidates indicating that they are prepared to stay for longer periods (minimum 1 year). Short-listed candidates will be notified for a Skype interview in due course.

Starting date: as soon as possible

Please apply as soon as possible via email (not exceeding 10 MB) including cover letter, CV and the contact details of two references to:

Mr. Michael Meyerhoff, ACCB Project Manager

Email: application@accb-cambodia.org

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Primate Care Team Manager

Primate Care Team Manager

JOB TITLE: Primate Care Team Manager

LOCATION: Wild Futures HQ – The Monkey Sanctuary (near Looe, Cornwall)

RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Wild Futures

RESPONSIBLE FOR:  Primate Care Team and for the welfare and care of the primates at the Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

5 years primate care

Management of staff/team

CLOSING DATE: 12 July 2018

SALARY: £20,567pa with 30 days annual leave

Charity and organisation overview: 

Wild Futures is the UK charity with the holistic approach that combines an educational, environmental and sustainability remit dedicated to promoting the welfare, conservation and survival of our closest living relatives, the non-human primates; working to end the primate trade and abuse of primates in captivity, promoting the rehabilitation of captive primates and the preservation of those in the wild, whilst operating a sanctuary for primates in need of a long term home.

Job Description:

The role of Primate Care Manager requires a dynamic, forward thinking  and focused team player. They must have an understanding and knowledge of Wild Futures objectives, aims and ethos and uphold these within their working practices.

The role will include:

•        Training:  Mentor, train and enthuse members of team and enable other team members to do the same. Much of the Primate Carer job description is applicable to the manager, with time given on the rota to enable the extra responsibilities of the managerial position.

•        Instruct and oversee best practice: To be able to effectively and respectfully communicate to colleagues of all levels, regardless of their position.

•        Organise and track carers’ progress, ensure that charts are updated, coordinate with trainers.

•        Coordinate monkey care in consultation with experienced staff, team and veterinary practice as appropriate.

•        Rotas and recruitment.

•        Ensure good communication of all primate care issues between staff and coordinate work. Provide updates at All Staff meetings.

•        Weekly meetings with the Site Manager and Director to coordinate work and report and discuss welfare, practical, personnel and governance issues.

•        Attend and report to the statutory Trustee meetings (x4 per year).

•        Familiarity and compliance with all health and safety protocols and documentation. This includes emergency procedures, risk assessment and safe working practices. Ability to instruct others in the above and monitor compliance.

•        Manage budget (as agreed by Director and Trustees).

•        Report to and consult with Director on all of above.

Primate Care job description:

You should be knowledgeable about and have a commitment to the aims of Wild Futures and The Monkey Sanctuary. You will learn to work with each of the various primate species resident at the Sanctuary. We currently house capuchin monkeys (Cebus and Sapajus sp), Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus), marmosets (Callithrix sp) and woolly monkeys (Lagothrix sp). Due to the intensive and lengthy training process, a commitment of at least two years is required for applicants to be considered for this role.

You will become a functional member of the Primate Care Team. This role includes the following: You will be expected to learn to distinguish individual monkeys, to become knowledgeable about their backgrounds, and to show a sensitivity to their needs which indicates your suitability as a primate carer. Over the course of your training, you will (under the supervision of experienced staff) become one of the monkeys' primary caregivers; managing the monkeys, cleaning, maintaining and enriching enclosures; preparing and distributing food and medication; monitoring the health and well-being of the monkeys in your care. You will be responsible for maintaining daily up-to date information on the status and well-being of each individual through a computer database. You will become knowledgeable about the behaviour and ecology of each species of monkey and apply this knowledge in their daily care.

You will be required to do cover (that is, stay on-site and be the responsible member of staff) one or two overnight shifts per week.

Other responsibilities

The Sanctuary is open to the public for seven months of the year. You will spend a sizeable amount of time speaking to the public, in large and small groups, about our rescued monkeys, monkeys in the wild, the ethos and history of Wild Futures and the Monkey Sanctuary, and more. You should demonstrate confidence and willingness to do this.

You will also:

Be asked to supervise volunteers on monkey cleaning routines, making enrichment and other tasks that are essential to the day to day running of the Sanctuary.

Be asked to assist with other work such as territory maintenance, grounds and gardening work, and general household duties.

Be expected to develop and maintain good communications with all team members and evolve a co-operative living and working relationship with other members of the community. A regular review process will enable you and the team to monitor your progress and mentor you through your training.

Show that you can be flexible in your work, adapting to new situations as they arise and you will be able to prioritise work according to tasks you have been given (with monkey care always being the most important).

Be expected to work five full days a week and to be flexible about your days off.

You will have an allowance of thirty days annual leave per year; to be allocated in collaboration with other members of staff. Bank Holidays are work days. Applicants must be UK or EU residents or have permission to work in the UK.

Please note that this role is physically demanding; candidates must be fit for the work.

Please send CV and motivational letter to rachel_hevesi@wildfutures.org

Thank you!

Wild Futures: Registered Charity no. 1102532

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Threatened Species Biologist

Threatened Species Biologist

Job Details        

• Full-time 1.0  fixed term to 30 June 2020
• Based at Melbourne Zoo (regular travel to all 3 ZV properties required)
• Band 6
• Monday to Friday roster with additional out of hours responsibilities compensated with time in lieu
• Reports to General Manager Threatened Species

We are seeking an experienced Biologist (or aligned discipline) with extensive experience working in threatened species conservation and has with great stakeholder management and communication skills to join the Threatened Species team across Zoos Victoria.

The position supports and in some cases leads, the development of threatened species recovery programmes across Zoos Victoria, including Zoos Victoria's research portfolio.

This position provides leadership within the Threatened Species Team, a team with a strong respect for science and innovation. 

The Threatened Species Biologist will require;

• Proven decision making capability, based on scientific principles.
• Proven project development and management skills, including budget and financial management and the implementation of effective evaluation and monitoring programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• An ability to work in a team environment and develop and maintain harmonious and participative staff relationships.
• A pre-disposition to nurture strong relationships with internal and external partners to assist with the development and activation of partnership agreements.
• An ability to guide and grow Zoos Victoria's investment and impact, both in situ and ex situ, across the organisations fighting extinction priorities.
• An ability to contribute substantially to the development new ZV Conservation Master plan 2019-2024.
• An ability to support whole of business imperatives including revenue growth, community conservation, environmental sustainability, animal welfare and the implementation of LEAN management priorities.
• An ability to support the communication strategy for public relations and external communications

In addition this position joins the Wildlife Conservation team who are committed to utilising threatened species conservation (biological sciences) and community conservation (social sciences) to benefit people and wildlife. The team's commitment to ensuring best practice across wildlife conservation, animal welfare, environmental sustainability and research will cement Zoos Victoria's position as a world leading zoo-based conservation organisation.

For more information on this role, please refer to the position description below or contact Craig Whiteford, General Manager -Threatened Species via cwhiteford@zoo.org.au 

Please submit a maximum two page cover letter, and resume by clicking on the 'Apply' link.

Applications close: Wednesday 15th August 2018 at 5.00pm

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Keeper – Elephants

Keeper – Elephants

Full Time (40 hours per week)

We are Chester Zoo, and for over 80 years we’ve been a leading conservation and education charity, and an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction.

We’re also a team of passionate, talented, enthusiastic and expert people, doing everything we can to keep the zoo going, from feeding the animals to discovering new conservation ideas, and giving our 1.9 million visitors an inspirational day out.

We work hard because we love animals, we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and we want to be the best zoo in the world!

If you think you can help us to achieve that, then we’d love to hear from you.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Keeper to join us on the Elephant section. For the right candidate, this post offers a fantastic opportunity to work with a breeding family unit of Asian elephants.

Chester Zoo aims to set a benchmark for animal welfare and the successful candidate must be able to deliver an excellent level of animal husbandry, care and welfare for the assigned mammals; ensuring that all enclosures and facilities are maintained to the highest possible standards. 

The successful candidate will have:

·        A HND or degree level qualification in a zoological related science or equivalent experience

·        Proven experience in the care and management of large mammal species including Giraffe, Rhinos and Elephants, in a zoo or safari park setting, as well as the highest standards of exhibitry

·        Outstanding observational skills with excellent attention to detail

·        Experience of operant conditioning with large mammals

·        Experience implementing environmental enrichment

·        Experience of working within strict Safe Working Practices

Competency in the use of computers and basic software packages, including ZIMS software, would be advantageous for this role in order to maintain accurate records. 

Hours of work are 40 hours per week, worked 10 days out of 14, including weekends and Bank Holidays as rostered.

The salary for this position is £20,886.68 per annum and in addition we offer a range of amazing benefits which can be found at http://www.chesterzoo.org/footer/careers/working-at-chester-zoo.

To apply for this position, please go to https://www.chesterzoo.org/footer/careers and click apply now to provide your current CV and complete the application form highlighting your skills and experience including why you believe you should be considered for our Keeper - Elephants role.

Closing date for applications is Sunday 9^th September.

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Senior Animal Keeper

Senior Animal Keeper

South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture

Location:  Claderglen Country Park, Strathaven Road, East Kilbride

Hours:  35 hours per week

Permanent

South Lanarkshire Council administers the recruitment process on behalf of South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture.

An opportunity is available for an enthusiastic energetic individual to join our team at Calderglen Children’s Zoo in East Kilbride near Glasgow.

Calderglen children’s zoo is a small thriving attraction with over 148,000 visitors annually. We would expect the successful applicant to share our vision of a modern small zoo and to be instrumental in moving us forward.

As members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA), we are committed to providing an excellent customer experience within the framework of welfare and education.

For details and application please click HERE

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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