British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Animal Keeper
London
£26k/yr
Posted about 7 hours ago
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St Andrews Aquarium
Scotland
Closing date for applications is: 17th Aug 2026
Contact: Rachel Gordon (rachel@standrewsaquarium.co.uk)
Sector: Animal Care
Type: Paid
Contract type: Full-time
Salary: £26,000
Key Responsibilities
Animal Husbandry & Exhibits
- Daily care and husbandry of aquatic collections which include marine and freshwater fish, invertebrates, mammals, and reptiles from temperate and tropical ecosystems.
- Practice good judgment in decision-making as related to animal care, emergency situations, and projects with minimal interruptions to the public.
- Daily duties include but are not limited to:
- Cleaning exhibits internally and externally
- Prepping and feeding food
- Making observations and recognizing abnormal animal behaviour/appearance
- Acting upon/reporting such observations in a timely manner
- Treating any injured/diseased individuals as necessary
- Completing all necessary records and paperwork thoroughly
- Assisting in veterinary procedures as necessary and deliver basic veterinary care and treatments under guidance and prescription from IZVG Vets.
- Assist with training, development, and oversee the work of work experience, interns, and new aquarists and keepers.
- Foster and support a fun, team approach by having excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative spirit.
- Participate in planning of events, public talks, and outreach work as necessary.
- Participate in emergency procedures and drills as needed.
- Monitor the water quality of exhibit systems and quarantine systems and maintain records of procedures and tests carried out.
- Maintain clean, tidy, and safe standards of all plant rooms, tool rooms, food prep rooms, and quarantine facilities.
- Monitor nutrition, preparation, feeds, and food storage for aquarium stock and meet the nutritional requirements of animals through regular review and updating of feeding regimes.
- Assist with stock takes on animal feeds and equipment and report to display supervisor.
- Maintain accurate records in accordance with institutional, national, and international welfare standards.
- Assist with carrying out research on stock as necessary.
- Any other duties as required by the display manager.
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Zoological & Site Maintenance
- Assist with the daily maintenance of the life support systems.
- Assist in monitoring all displays; including identifying faults with equipment and Life Support Systems and report any defects to a higher member of the animal care team.
- Ensure the highest possible standards of cleanliness are maintained both within the attraction, service areas, and grounds.
People Management
- Ensure the highest possible standards of cleanliness are maintained both within the attraction, service areas, and grounds.
- Participate in the training and development of new volunteers and work experience placements.
- To ensure you work with the Sales & Marketing team and always deal with members of the media in a professional and courteous manner.
Customer Service
- To be courteous, pleasant, and approachable at all times when dealing with the public to establish a lasting positive image of the aquarium.
- Carry out public feeding presentations, training sessions, and keeper talks with guests.
- Carry out further education group sessions.
- Ensure you are accessible to all visitors for questions and information.
- Wear the correct uniform including any PPE equipment, ensuring your appearance is in line with company policies.
Other Duties
- To attend training courses as required by the business and be available to assist at other sites if required.
- To be active in the planning of themed events as well as partaking in these events throughout the year which may from time to time include fancy dress, with prior notice.
- To do any other reasonable duty as required by the management in accordance with the needs of the business.
- Report to the display supervisor and ensure excellent communication and collaboration to meet the needs of the business.
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What We Offer
- Workplace: A supportive and collaborative workplace culture.
- Training: Opportunities for professional development. The chance to contribute to impactful conservation and welfare initiatives.
- Holidays: 30 days annual leave allowance.
- Discounts: Up to 50% off for in-house gift shop.
About You
-
Required:
- Strong working knowledge of animal husbandry, welfare, and safety protocols.
- Experience with enrichment, conditioning, and behavioural observation.
- Comfortable working with both terrestrial and aquatic environments.
- Good physical fitness and the ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Excellent teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
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Desirable Qualifications:
- Professional keeper experience in a zoo, aquarium, or similar accredited facility.
- Knowledge of life support systems (LSS), although candidates with a clear commitment to work towards expanding their proficiency in this field are encouraged to apply.
- Successfully completed the Zookeeper and Aquarist Apprenticeship Programme or a Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA), or an equivalent qualification.
- Experience with public presentations or educational outreach.
Apply for this job:
Email your CV and Cover Letter to rachel@standrewsaquarium.co.uk
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Skills
Animal Husbandry
Animal Welfare
Behavioral Observation
Life Support Systems
Veterinary Care
Public Speaking
Educational Outreach
Water Quality Monitoring
Teamwork
Problem Solving
Enrichment
Conditioning
Location