Department
Animal Care Team
Location
Colchester Zoo
Employment Type
Full time
Hours Per Week
40 hours per week
Salary
£34,008 per annum
Closing Date
9th October 2026
If you are interested in applying, please complete the CZS Employment application form. Please ensure all sections of the application form are completed, do not enter ‘Refer to CV’.
Send your CV and completed Employment Application Form to Mrs Liz Butcher, Living Collections Manager, by email to vacancies@colchesterzoo.org
Please be aware that we will only process applications that inlcude a completed application form and CV. We do have a lot of interest in our vacancies, if you have not heard from us after four weeks of submitting your application you should assume you have not been successful on the occasion.
Introduction to the Department
An exciting position has arisen for an experienced Deputy Team Leader to join our team and contribute to our mission at Colchester Zoo in a full-time role working within our Familiar Friends section; a mixed taxa section responsible for meerkats, rainbow lorikeets, Aldabra tortoises, koi carp, invertebrate species, and domestic and companion animals.
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 Deputy Team Leader, 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 the section’s Team Leader, the job holder will be responsible for mentoring and managing more junior employed staff members; lead keepers, senior keepers and qualified keepers, and volunteers; student keepers and work experience students. The job holder will also be responsible for deputising to the Team Leader and leading the section in their absence.
The candidate will ensure, and be able to develop, safe working protocols, practices and risk assessments for working in and around the species on the section.
The job holder will deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors for a range of species across the section, as well as deliver educational husbandry content to visiting college groups. The candidate will also look to lead internal zoo subcommittees, where appropriate, and be willing to represent, and present, at external conferences on behalf of CZS.
Main Job Purpose:
• Provide excellent husbandry standards and welfare for a range of species
• Manage employed and voluntary members of the animal section and lead the section in the Team Leader’s absence
• Produce safe working practices across the animal section
• Deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors, educational groups and for social media
• Represent CZS in external settings where required
Other Key Activities:
• Demonstrate commitment to continuous personal development.
• Perform other duties as reasonably directed by the animal section’s Team Leader and the Animal Management Team (Zoological Director, Animal Manager, Manager of Living Collections and Head Keeper)
Role Requirements
| Essential | Desirable | |
| Husbandry Skills & Experience | 7+ years’ experience in a zoological collection Excellent standard of practical skill in animal husbandry, including training and enrichment Excellent standard of animal observation skills Excellent ability to develop animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section Ability to manage the animal section in the absence of the Team Leader, with limited assistance Ability to drive forward the overall standards of the section to a higher level (excellent competency) Excellent knowledge of ZIMS Vast knowledge of zoo licencing and legislation Excellent skills in handling and restraint of various species High confidence and ability in dealing with medical issues | 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 |
| Team Work & Ability to Follow Instruction | Ability to work in a team and contribute to team goals (excellent competency) Ability to harness positive relationships with all other team members regardless of level / section (excellent competency) Ability to follow instruction and carry out tasks at manager’s / senior staff member’s request (excellent competency) Ability and willingness to sit on additional zoo subgroups and committees | |
| Leadership & Mentoring | Ability to mentor and allocate work duties to the animal section’s employed staff members and volunteers (excellent competency) Ability to lead an internal zoo team e.g. subgroup or committee | |
| Health & Safety | Excellent understanding of risk assessments Ability to ensure safe working practices at Deputy Team Leader level Ability to manage risk in a zoo environment Ability to develop safe working protocols Excellent understanding of zoo emergency procedures | |
| Communication & Presentation Skills | Excellent communication and presentation skills to deliver animal encounters and experiences Excellent communication and presentation skills to deliver education sessions and media | |
| Skills & Experience | Computer literate with excellent knowledge of the major Microsoft Office programmes Excellent written skills, including record keeping Excellent written skills, including proposals and protocols | Trained in manual handling Trained in working at height |
| Other | DMZAA or equivalent qualification Full driving licence Ability to use own initiative to solve problems (excellent competency) Hard working and highly-motivated Excellent punctuality and time keeping Dependable and trustworthy Flexible and adaptable Warm, open-minded and professional Ability and willingness to represent CZS at external conferences Ability and willingness to present at external conferences and lead internal training at CZS Commitment to employment at CZS | Firearms certificate |
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.
Evaluation
For the first three months of employment, the jobholder will be asked to complete a one month, three month self-assessment. This will gauge their feelings of the job and assess their progress towards meeting targets.
Working Environment
- CZS is a non-smoking environment and smoking is not permitted by members of staff whilst on the premises.
- CZS is an equal opportunities employer.
- You may be required to work off site on animal transfers on occasion.
Whilst doing this job, the employee is likely to be exposed to:
- Outside weather conditions
- Tropical exhibits with high temperatures
- Moving mechanical parts
- Toxic or caustic chemicals
- Lifting heavy loads
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.
