British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Deputy Team Leader - Familiar Friends
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Colchester Zoological Society
East Anglia
Closing date for applications is: 9th Oct 2026
Contact: Liz Butcher (vacancies@colchesterzoo.org)
Sector: Animal Care
Type: Paid
Contract type: Full-time
Salary: £34,008 p.a
Colchester Zoological Society (CZS) is home to over 150 species and is dedicated to supporting conservation projects around the globe. As an award-winning visitor attraction with over 1 million guests visiting each year, every staff member at the zoo works together to ensure that our guests have an enjoyable and unforgettable experience.
About the Role
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.
Responsibilities
The successful 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.
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- Mentor and manage more junior employed staff members; lead keepers, senior keepers and qualified keepers, and volunteers; student keepers and work experience students.
- Deputise to the Team Leader and lead the section in their absence.
- Develop safe working protocols, practices and risk assessments for working in and around the species on the section.
- Deliver enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors for a range of species across the section.
- Deliver educational husbandry content to visiting college groups.
- Lead internal zoo subcommittees, where appropriate, and represent, and present, at external conferences on behalf of CZS.
Requirements
We are looking for an individual who is highly motivated and hardworking, with a minimum of 7 years’ experience working in a zoological collection. Excellent customer service, communication and animal husbandry skills are essential, as is previous experience supervising staff and managing risk in a zoo environment.
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- Diploma in the Management of Zoo Animals and Aquaria or an equivalent qualification.
- Full valid driving licence.
How to Apply
This is a full-time position with a start date as soon as is possible. A personnel specification is available on the job description detailing essential requirements for the position.
Please send a copy of your CV, our application form (Application Form 2023) and a covering letter for the attention of Mrs Liz Butcher, Living Collections Manager, by email to vacancies@colchesterzoo.org
Further Information
Further details of the job role can be found here: Colchester Zoological Society Careers
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