ROLE PROFILE
Job Title: Team Leader Birds and Ectotherms
Work Base:
Welsh Mountain Zoo – Colwyn Bay
Hours of Work
: 40 hours per week over a 7 day rota including weekends and bank holidays
Department:
Keeping Team
Line Manager
: Head of Animals
Direct Reports
: Animal Keepers & Volunteers
ROLE PURPOSE
Our Animal Team Leaders are passionate about wildlife, conservation and animal welfare. They deliver our mission and
Bring Conservation to Life
by enabling our Animal Keeping Team and volunteers to deliver high standards of animal care, enrichment and husbandry, while also ensuring our guests have an informative, fun, and memorable experience with us.
KEY RESPONSBILITES FOR THE ROLE
Manage Operations and Resources
* Manage and enable our Animal Keepers and volunteers to deliver animal welfare, enrichment, and husbandry practices for our bird and ectotherm collection in line with Secretary of States Standards on Modern Zoo Practice (SSSMZP) practice
* Work with our Gardens/Maintenance Teams to deliver safe, functional, and well-presented habitats
* Manage stock and resources efficiently, including consumables such as food and bedding
* Collaborate with the Head of Animals on staff deployment and resource planning
* Complete cover for the Head of Animals & Mammals Team Leader in their absence
Leading and Developing the Team
* Support the team, ensuring they have the tools, training, and resources to perform their duties
* Conduct one-to-ones, appraisals, and team meetings to create a high performing team culture
* Deliver, support, and oversee technical training for Animal Keepers and volunteers
* Actively promote our mission and the broader value of zoos in conservation and education
Coordination and Planning
* Ensure the maintenance of accurate animal records using our Species 360 database
* Conduct bi-annual welfare audits and support preparation for inspections
* Contribute to the Institutional Species Plan and animal transfers
* Develop and update best practice husbandry guidelines, checklists, dairies and procedures
* Support and coordinate research, student placements, and collaborative learning opportunities
Deliver Excellent Guest Experience
* Work closely with the Guest Experience Team to deliver engaging animal encounters & experiences
* Role model courteous, professional, and informative guest service
* Address and resolve informal guest complaints; appropriately escalating when necessary
* Improve guests experience through staff training, signage, talks, and presentations
Ensure Safety and Compliance
* Maintain high standards of H&S ensuring full compliance with our policies, safe working practices, and the SSSMZP
* Lead and coordinate staff during drills and emergencies, always prioritising guest and staff safety
* Conduct risk assessments and safety audits, implementing and monitoring improvements
* Investigate health and safety incidents and implement corrective actions
* Ensure all staff and volunteers have appropriate PPE and are trained in safety procedures
* Manage pest control activities
KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE
Qualifications
* Holds Level 3 Diploma in the Management or Zoo and Aquarium Animals
Skills
* Excellent communication skills and a confident, solutions-focused approach
* Comfortable working as part of a team, but also working unsupervised
* Good IT literacy (record management, emails/notes, and spreadsheet updates)
Knowledge
* Knowledge of BIAZA and EAZA animal husbandry, behaviour, & welfare principles
* A solid knowledge of evidence-based animal care and welfare practices including nutrition, enrichment, animal health, welfare assessment & training
* A commitment to ongoing professional development (e.g. courses, research, conferences) with birds or ectotherms
* Familiar with the Secretary of States Standards on Modern Zoo Practice
* Understands conservation issues and the role zoos play in mitigating species loss
Experience
* A expert background and experience of working closely with either:
* Birds – with experience across a range of species, including breeding, welfare, and behavioural enrichment, or:
* Ectotherms – with knowledge of temperature and environmental control, nutrition, and specialist husbandry practices
* Significant experience of working with a wide range of EAZA/BIAZA collections in Zoo/Wildlife Park
* Line management experience and a passion for developing your team
* Managing H&S risk assessments and safe operating procedures
* Willing to work towards/able to use firearms in an emergency
* Performing physical tasks (lifting, clearing, carrying) in all weather conditions
Key behaviours (competencies) for the role
* Leading and Supervising
* Planning and Organising
* Adapting and Responding to Change