Animal Keeper Apprentice
City of London Corporation
About the Role
The primary role of the apprentice animal keeper is to carry out animal husbandry and enclosure maintenance tasks within Golders Hill Park Zoo & Queen’s Park Farm in accordance with the Secretary of States Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for the welfare of the animals and enjoyment, recreation, education, and safety of visitors.
Purpose of Post:
The primary role of the apprentice animal keeper is to carry out animal husbandry and enclosure maintenance tasks within Golders Hill Park Zoo & Queen’s Park Farm in accordance with the Secretary of States Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for the welfare of the animals and enjoyment, recreation, education, and safety of visitors.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
- To undertake general enclosure cleaning, animal care, feed preparations & animal observation under supervision
- To undertake basic repair, maintenance & installation of enclosures, their furnishings & associated facilities under supervision
3. To use basic hand/power tools and grounds maintenance equipment under supervision - To attend staff meetings & participate in group emails/messages as appropriate
- To work as part of a team with the aim of ensuring productive working relationships within the team and with other employees, team leaders/supervisors & external agencies
- To work with and assist volunteers & work placement students in the Zoo/Farm
- To undertake the Keeper and Aquarist qualification as part of the City of London
- Apprenticeship programme and complete coursework and examinations in a timely fashion and to the best of your ability.
- To assist with paid visitor experiences, ensuring experiences are supervised and carried out in a professional and safe manner
- To provide a highly visible presence to engender a sense of well-being for customers & members of the public
- To assist in promoting Golders Hill Park Zoo, Queen’s Park Farm and the wider heath to local schools, colleges & other user groups
- To assist in enforcing park bylaws and rules of the animal collections
- To ensure that you observe departmental safety procedures and use safe working practices specifically with regard to PPE, and adherence to COSHH and risk assessments, reporting accidents and near misses to your supervisors
- Actively seek to implement the City of London’s occupational health and safety policy in relation to the duties of the post, and at all times give due regard to health and safety of both themselves and others when carrying out duties
- Actively seek to implement the City of London’s equal opportunity policy and the objective to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post
- To undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested appropriate to the grade
- On successful completion of the apprenticeship, we aim to offer a permanent role within the team if a position is available
- Alternatively, we shall endeavour to secure an alternative position within the City of London Corporation
About the Training
- You will be supported to achieve the Keeper and Aquarist Level 3 apprenticeship
- Theoretical training will be given with the support of the training provider
- Practical training and support will be given in the workplace allowing you to embed your learning in the working environment
- You will receive hours 6 per week to support with your apprenticeship studies
About the Employer
Skills Required
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Training Provider
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONDON
Course/Training
Keeper and aquarist (level 3)
