Assistant Zookeeper - Primates and Predators

ZSL is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Assistant Zookeeper to join the dynamic Predator and Primate team at the iconic London Zoo. This exciting role offers the opportunity to work hands-on with a diverse and fascinating range of species in a world renowned setting. As part of the team, you will play a vital role in supporting ZSL’s mission: a world where wildlife thrives.

As a valued member of the team, you will support in upholding high standards of daily husbandry and welfare, taking part in enrichment and training programmes, contributing to exhibit maintenance, and supporting with accurate observation and record-keeping. You will be confident engaging with the public and enjoy working as part of a collaborative, passionate team.

This role is offered on a 6-month fixed term contract. The position includes regular weekend work as part of a rota, so a flexible approach to scheduling is essential.

Key responsibilities:  

• Animal Care: Support keepers with daily husbandry tasks such as cleaning enclosures, sourcing and preparing browse, feeding animals, and monitoring and reporting their health and behaviour. 
• Training & Enrichment: Assist in the development and delivery of animal training and enrichment programmes to promote natural behaviours and welfare.
• Record Keeping: Help maintain accurate animal records, including data entry into ZIMS and regular communication with keeping staff to ensure information is shared effectively.
• Visitor Engagement: Enhance visitor experiences by answering questions in a friendly and helpful manner, and act as a point of contact in walk-through exhibits.
  Health & Safety: Follow all relevant safe systems of work, risk assessments, and emergency procedures, while promoting ZSL’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

• Practical experience of working with animals.
• Confident working autonomously and as part of a team, to complete section tasks.
• Ability to make quick decisions, when needed, regarding visitor and animal safety while following the Health and Safety guidelines.
• Ability to work outside with direct exposure to the weather and animals and working indoors in artificially high temperatures.
• Sound judgment and professionalism when relaying information and answering visitor questions.
• Commitment to creating a culture that lives ZSL values (collaborative, inspiring, inclusive, innovative, impactful and ethical).
• This role is physically demanding and involves standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing, and pulling for extended periods throughout the day.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.  

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.  

What do we offer?  

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include: 

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct  
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you  
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays  Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme  
• Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day 
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops  
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle  
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work 
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages