Department Animal Care Team Location Colchester Zoological Society Employment Type Full Time Hours Per Week 40 hours per week Salary £27,456 per annum Closing Date 14th November 2025 If you are interested in applying, send the completed form along with your CV to Mrs Liz Butcher, Living Collections Manager, by email to vacancies@colchesterzoo.org Introduction to the Department An exciting position has arisen for a Senior Keeper to join our team and contribute to our mission at Colchester Zoological Society in a full-time role working within our Reptile department; responsible for a range of reptile, amphibian, fish and invertebrate species. 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 senior keeper, the candidate will be required to input ideas for the continual progression and development of animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section. Alongside more senior members of staff, the job holder will be responsible for mentoring and allocating work duties to junior employed staff members; qualified keepers and volunteers; student keepers and work experience students. The candidate will ensure safe working protocols and practices and have a good understanding of risk assessments. The job holder will deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors for a range of species across the section. Main Job Purpose Provide excellent husbandry standards and welfare to a range of species Mentor and allocate work duties to junior members of staff and volunteers 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 Reptile Department (Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader) and the Animal Management Team (Zoological Director, Curator of Living Collections, Manager of Living Collections and Head Keeper). Role Requirements Essential Desirable Husbandry Skills & Experience 4-7 years’ experience in a zoological collection including experience with category 1 carnivores. High standard of practical skill in animal husbandry, including training and enrichment. High standard of animal observation skills. High ability to develop animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section. Knowledge of ZIMS. 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. Knowledge of uv requirements for a range of species. Skills in handling and restraint of various species. Confidence and ability in dealing with medical issues. 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 more junior employed staff members and volunteers. Health & Safety Good understanding of risk assessments. Ability to ensure safe working practices at Senior Keeper level. Good understanding of zoo emergency procedures. Ability to manage risk in a zoo environment. Ability to develop safe working protocols. Communication & Presentation Skills Proficient communication and presentation skills to deliver animal encounters and experiences. Good communication and presentation skills to deliver education sessions and media. Skills & Experience Trained in manual handling. Computer literate with proficient knowledge of the major Microsoft Office programmes. Proficient written skills, including record keeping. Trained in working at height. Written skills, including proposals and protocols. Other DMZAA or equivalent qualification. Full driving licence. Ability to use own initiative to solve problems. Hard working and highly-motivated. Excellent punctuality and time keeping. Dependable and trustworthy. Flexible and adaptable. Warm, open-minded and professional. Commitment to employment at CZS. Firearms certificate. Ability and willingness to represent CZS at external conferences. Ability and willingness to present at external conferences and lead internal training at CZS. 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 with a name badge. 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. Working Environment Colchester Zoological Society is a non-smoking environment and smoking is not permitted by members of staff whilst on the premises. Colchester Zoological Society is an equal opportunities employer. You may be required to work offsite on animal transfers on occasion. Benefits FREE Zoo visits* FREE onsite parking Work place pension scheme 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 Benefits dependent on probation period.