Seasonal Trainee Cover Keeper

 JOB TITLE: Trainee animal keeper

LOCATION: Borth, Wales

JOB TYPE: Part-time

REPORTS TO: Animal staff, head keeper and manager

JOB SUMMARY:

 We have an opportunity for a Trainee Cover Keeper to join our keeping team at Borth Animalarium. You will have the opportunity to work with a range of taxa, primarily our Paddocks section (which includes hoof stock, wallabies, emu and rhea) and Reptile section (which also includes our fish and invertebrates) as these tend to be short-staffed. Our other sections, including Carnivores and small mammals, Birds and Petting Barn, may also need covering on occasion.

 As a cover keeper, you will undertake a range of general husbandry duties and maintenance of the site. This is a varied role involving general cleaning duties in and around animal enclosures, keeper areas and public areas, as well as preparing and delivering food and enrichment. Our keepers also work alongside and supervise a number of volunteers, work experience and college students.

 This role is initially set to run from April – September/November, although an extension or permanent position may be offered depending on our requirements at the end of this time period.

This role is part-time, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week (additional days may be requested for very busy periods or events).

Working hours are 08.00 – 16.00.

Applicants must be flexible, and be available to work weekends, bank holidays and school holidays.

Holiday is accrued pro-rata on hours worked. We ask that holidays are not taken during school holidays unless urgent.

Pay will be agreed subject to age and experience and will be inline with the National Living Wage.

 MAIN JOB RESPONSIBILITES:

·       General animal husbandry duties in line with our standard practices. This includes cleaning, food prep and delivery, enrichment creation and provision and basic enclosure maintenance.

·       General cleaning and gardening duties around the site including keeper and public areas.

·       Observing individual animals and groups and recording accurate observations and husbandry records, as well as reporting all immediate or severe concerns of animal health or security to senior staff.

·       Engage with visitors, which may include delivering or assisting with animal talks and handling sessions.

·       Assisting work experience students and volunteers.

 REQUIREMENTS

·       An animal care or management qualification or relevant university degree.

·       Previous paid or voluntary work in an animal care environment, or experience with animals in a setting other than home/pet care.

·       Able to follow strict protocols and carry out assigned tasks to the best of your ability.

·       Skilled in observational, communication and written skills.

·       Good communication skills, allowing you to engage with our visitors in a friendly and positive manner, both 1-1 and speaking to groups.

·       Physically fit for the demands of this role.

 DESIRABLE

·       Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle. Public transport is available, but not reliable, especially at weekends and bank holidays, and may require you to wait for long periods of time before or after working hours.

·       Knowledge of life support systems (such as working with heating, lighting, timers, pumps and filters etc.) is desirable as it is a fundamental part of our reptile husbandry.

 If you would like to apply for this position please send a covering letter and CV to tracytweedy@hotmail.com

Volunteer Job Description

JOB TITLE: Animal care assistant

LOCATION: Borth, Wales

JOB TYPE: Voluntary, part-time

REPORTS TO: Animal staff, head keeper and manager

 JOB SUMMARY:

 Animal care volunteers will assist our animal keepers with general husbandry duties and maintenance of the site. This is a varied role involving general cleaning duties in and around animal enclosures, keeper areas and public areas, as well as preparing and delivering food and enrichment. You will be able to work with a range of different species, working in small groups or independently.

 MAIN JOB RESPONSIBILITES:

·         Cleaning enclosures in line with our standard practices. This includes washing food/water dishes, furnishings and windows, sweeping and mopping floors, removing soiled substrates/bedding and disinfecting enclosures.

·         General cleaning and tidying duties around the site such as sweeping paths, cleaning keeper and public areas, tidying/organising food and storage areas and weeding.

·         Preparing and delivering food to animals.

·         Observing individual animals and groups and reporting any concerns to the relevant staff members.

·         Creating and delivering enrichment.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:

·         Helping keepers with basic animal health checks.

·         Assisting with animal handling sessions and talks for visitors.

·         Basic maintenance and gardening work (where appropriate).

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Our volunteers must be:

·         Over the age of 16 (younger individuals may be able to attend with parental supervision).

·         Passionate about animals and their care.

·         Able to cooperate fully with members of staff and other volunteers.

·         Able to follow strict protocols and carry out assigned tasks to the best of your ability.

·         Skilled in observational, communication and written skills.

·         Able to engage with our visitors in a friendly and positive manner.

·         Experience working with animals or completion of/studying an animal related course is desirable, but not essential.

Whilst we try our best to cater to all abilities, access to enclosures and the work carried out may not be suitable for everyone. We are a very small team and constant direct supervision/guidance from our staff may not be available, therefore being able to work on your own (after initial training) will be necessary. If you would like to discuss any concerns, please contact us to discuss your abilities and we will do our best to find a suitable role for you.

Full training will be provided to volunteers on following feeding and cleaning protocols, handling animals and safe usage of cleaning substances and equipment when required. The full volunteer handbook and emergency procedures handbooks are available to volunteers at all times.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

·         Although voluntary, we hope that our volunteers are able to commit to the same days/hours each week, for a prolonged period of time. Whether you are able to commit a couple of hours or a full day, regular, consistent voluntary work is extremely helpful! We appreciate and encourage any volunteers to be able to inform us of any time off in advance.

·         Any animal-related work is likely to be dirty and smelly at times, and this is no exception!

·         Borth Animalarium is unable to pay for travel expenses for our volunteers. We are accessible via public transport (train and bus) from Aberystwyth, please ensure you are able to commute reliably. Free parking on site is available for vehicles.

·         We cannot guarantee that volunteering with us will lead to employment, and volunteers would have to apply for any employment opportunities as normal should vacancies arise. However, experience gained through volunteering is always desirable when considering applicants and may improve your chances.

 If you would like more information about volunteering with us, please contact tracytweedy@hotmail.com