Fixed Term - Maternity cover
Would you like to be part of something bigger and join us in our ambition to become the Best City, working together as a Team for Leeds. Do your values match ours and do you have something to offer?
Leeds City Council delivers over 500 different services to residents and is dedicated to bringing the benefits of a prosperous, vibrant and attractive city to the people of Leeds. This is a fantastic time to join us.
Benefits of working with us:
We pride ourselves on offering the best employee experience, with a genuine commitment to keeping our colleagues safe and well at work. You can expect great benefits whilst working for us including:
1. a competitive pay progression structure including generous employer pension contributions
2. flexible career paths with tailored personal and professional development
3. support for you, your home and your family including personal, and financial support
4. hybrid working arrangements (subject to needs of the role) and a flexitime system
If you have a commitment to a high standard of animal husbandry and an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in Animal Care – we may have just the job for you as an Animal Keeper at our popular Tropical World attraction in Leeds, which houses a variety of exotic animal species.
You will need to work as part of the team on a 7-day rota basis and should have specific knowledge related to the husbandry requirements of aquatics, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals, and birds. Experience in working with aquatic species is a particularly desirable element.
You will assist with the routine husbandry of the animals within the collection including daily food preparation, cleaning, staging, and maintaining the enclosures and ponds, which will involve bending and lifting, and keeping accurate records relating to animal welfare.
You will be supportive and ambitious with excellent organisational skills. You will be a confident communicator with a can-do approach.
Skills needed for this role include:
Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels.
Ability to maintain a high standard of animal husbandry and animal welfare.
Ability to interpret instructions and implement them accordingly.
Ability to work effectively both as a team member and on own initiative.
Ability to keep accurate required records relating to animal welfare.
Ability to assist in the movement of animal stock as required.
Ability to undertake interior landscaping, which may involve the
Ability to assist in the provision of interactive, educational activities for all visitors to the zoo.
Ability to work to set deadlines and goals.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job purpose
To provide a high standard of animal husbandry and care primarily within the Tropical World facility.
Responsibilities
To assist other animal keepers in general duties to include the daily cleaning of all enclosures and maintenance of ponds.
To be familiar with animal food preparation and hygiene methods, that may include strictly controlled specialised dietary requirements.
To assist during the movement of livestock and when undertaking animal health checks. This may require animal restraint and handling.
To assist any improvements required in the facilities at Tropical World or West Leeds Country Park Visitor Centre, including participation in interior landscaping.
To assist in the provision of interactive, educational activities for all visitors to the zoo.
To assist in the training of placement students and volunteers in accordance with the Parks and Countryside Training and Development plan.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Qualifications
NVQ 2 in Animal Care or equivalent
Personal Specification
Method of assessment will be through one or more of the following application form, test, interview, and certificate.
Essential requirements
Detailed below are the types of skills, experience and knowledge that are required of applicants applying for the post. The ‘Essential Requirements’ indicate the minimum requirements, and applicants lacking these attributes will not be considered for the post.
The points detailed under ‘Desirable Requirements’ are additional attributes to enable the applicant to perform the position more effectively or with little or no training. They are not essential but may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
Skills
Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels.
Ability to maintain a high standard of animal husbandry and animal welfare.
Ability to interpret instructions and implement them accordingly.
Ability to work effectively both as a team member and on own initiative.
Ability to keep accurate required records relating to animal welfare.
Ability to assist in the movement of animal stock as required.
Ability to undertake interior landscaping, which may involve the
Ability to assist in the provision of interactive, educational activities for all visitors to the zoo.
Ability to work to set deadlines and goals.
Knowledge
Knowledge specifically related to the needs of exotic animal species and their specialised requirements.
Knowledge of legislation and statutory requirements connected with the keeping of live animals within a zoological environment.
Experience
Experience in working with exotic animal species.
NVQ Level 2 in Animal Care or equivalent.
Experience of at least 3 years working within a zoological environment.
Previous experience of working with mammals.
Behavioural and other Characteristics required
Committed to continuous improvement.
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development
Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct