Animal Centre Manager
British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Location: Suffolk New College (Rural campus)
Closing date: 10th Nov 2025
Contact: Lynsey Wilson (lynseywilson@suffolk.ac.uk)
Type: Paid contract, Full-time
Salary: £33,111.60
Responsibilities
* Ensure facilities and equipment meet the needs of teaching staff and support smooth lesson delivery, including managing room bookings.
* Oversee the health and welfare of a diverse range of species, ensuring compliance with legislation, current guidance, and best practice standards.
* Maintain accurate records related to all aspects of animal care.
* Seek opportunities to enhance and expand the animal collection, ensuring the Centre remains a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
* Support the Directorate’s commitment to excellence in education and learner experience.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* Provide technical support and advice to staff and students in Animal Care and assist learners one‑to‑one or in small groups with practical skills.
* Line manage Technicians within the Animal Centre, overseeing recruitment, induction, probation, absence, performance management, and training and development.
* Ensure Animal Centre facilities run smoothly at all times, creating a rota for weekends, bank holidays, and ensuring on‑call cover for out‑of‑hours emergencies.
* Ensure day‑to‑day care and management of the animal collection meets the highest welfare standards according to college policies, current legislation, and zoo licensing standards.
* Maintain animal facilities and associated areas in a clean, tidy, and fully functioning workspace, ensuring health and safety compliance.
* Regularly update teaching staff on changes to the collection, including new additions, decays, and illnesses.
* Ensure regulatory record‑keeping requirements are met, monitoring and reviewing usage of animals and reporting to the line manager.
* Implement husbandry and welfare protocols, college policies, and promote best practice to deliver industry‑standard learning.
* Prepare and maintain teaching areas, equipment, and materials in accordance with teaching requirements.
* Provide demonstrations to learners on practical or technical skills and workspace protocols.
* Support staff and learners in safe use of equipment, advising on specific training needs.
* Supervise learners during sessions, external trips, and visits.
* Respond to learner enquiries, offering information or referring as appropriate.
* Conduct risk assessments in line with college policy and keep teaching staff advised.
* Order materials and manage stock, providing budget requisites to the budget holder.
* Liaise with management before contacting external services such as veterinary care.
* Carry out PAT testing of equipment and machinery within the workplace.
* Implement health & safety best practice, undertake relevant training and updates.
* Carry out first aid duties as required.
* Participate in cross‑college activities such as open events and external promotion.
* Take a proactive approach to the well‑being and safeguarding of all learners.
* Perform any other duties and training as required by management within the competence of the role.
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