British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Deputy Head Keeper
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Deputy Head Keeper
Deputy Head Keeper – Zoo
Location: Northumberland
Salary: £27,189 per annum pro rata
Hours per Week: 18.5
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 23:59 BST on Wednesday 8th July 2026
Reference: 0409-26
About Northumberland College (EPNE)
Kirkley Hall Campus is Northumberland College’s second-largest site and a centre of excellence for land-based, animal, and outdoor education. As part of Education Partnership North East (EPNE)—the top-performing college group in the North East for the third consecutive year—the campus provides an inspiring environment for learning.
Nestled within 400 acres of stunning Northumberland countryside, Kirkley Hall’s industry-standard facilities support hands-on, practical education. The campus’ on-site residential provision was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2025, offering students unparalleled opportunities across the UK.
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EPNE excelled across all areas in the 2024 Ofsted Report, including outstanding grades. Explore their achievements here: Ofsted Report – Outstanding.
With a strong commitment to inclusion, EPNE prioritises a supportive workplace culture where staff thrive through professional development and wellbeing.
About the Role
As Deputy Head Keeper, you’ll play a key role in our Management team, balancing the zoo’s commercial operations and curriculum offerings while ensuring animal welfare remains central to all activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage, develop, and maintain one of the zoo sections unless otherwise specified by Head Keeper.
- Contribute to and support the Head Keeper’s welfare strategy.
- Deputise on a weekend and holiday rotation, overseeing the zoo’s commercial operations as a duty manager.
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Requirements
Qualifications
- Level 3 or above in an animal-related qualification (essential).
Essential Experience
- At least 1 year working in a commercial animal business.
- At least 1 year of paid experience working with young adults and children.
Desirable/Optional Skills & Experience
- Experience supervising a small team on a day-to-day basis.
Contact & Closing Details
📧 Contact: Steven Sykes (steven.sykes@northumberland.ac.uk) 📅 Applications close: 8th July 2026 🏦 Salary: £27,189 per annum, processed pro rata 🌐 Apply under reference: 0409-26 (Deputy Head Keeper – Vacancy at EPNE)
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