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British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)

Senior Animal Keeper

London
£27.3k – £28.6k/yr
Posted about 20 hours ago
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Reaseheath Mini Zoo

North West
Closing date for applications is: 31st Jul 2026

Contact: Kerri Robson (kerrir@reaseheath.ac.uk)
Sector: Education
Type: Paid
Contract type: Full-time
Salary: £27,341.00 ~ £28,538.00 GBP annually


Reaseheath College and University Centre is a leading land-based and technical education provider, with a proud history stretching back over 100 years. Our mission is simple: to deliver industry focused, career ready education that transforms lives and supports the future of all our learners – from further education, higher education, apprenticeships and adult courses.

Set in a stunning rural campus near Nantwich in Cheshire, we offer an inspiring place to work, with industry-leading facilities, strong employer partnerships and a clear focus on innovation, sustainability and real-world skills.

Working at Reaseheath

Working at Reaseheath means being part of a supportive, ambitious and values-driven community. Our staff play a vital role in shaping futures, helping our learners develop the skills, confidence and experience they need to succeed in their careers.

We are committed to creating a positive working environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and able to grow. With opportunities for professional development, strong industry links and a collaborative culture, you can build a rewarding career while making a genuine impact.

Status: Permanent, 39 hours per week

Closing Date: Friday 31st July 2026

Assessment Centre Date: W/C 10th August 2026

About The Role

We are looking to recruit a passionate and experienced Senior Animal Keeper to support the day-to-day running of our Animal Management Centre.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Zoo Manager to oversee animal welfare, supervise students, and ensure the centre operates to the highest professional, educational and regulatory standards. This is a hands-on role combining animal care, team supervision, and student support to deliver an outstanding learner and visitor experience.

Key Responsibilities

  • Support the Zoo Manager in the daily operation of the Animal Management Centre
  • Ensure the highest standards of animal health, welfare and husbandry are maintained
  • Supervise students and visitors, supporting practical learning and industry skills development
  • Maintain clean, safe and well-presented animal enclosures and working environments
  • Monitor records, audits and compliance including ZIMS and animal keeper diaries
  • Manage stock levels for feed, bedding, equipment and resource
  • Ensure compliance with health & safety, zoo licensing, environmental health and animal welfare legislation

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The Successful Candidate Will

  • Have relevant qualifications (minimum Level 2) including Maths and English
  • Have proven experience within the animal management industry
  • Bring experience of working in an educational or training environment (desirable)
  • Demonstrate strong communication and organisational skills
  • Be able to motivate, support and inspire learners
  • Be confident working independently and as part of a team
  • Have a flexible approach to working hours, including weekends and evenings
  • Have demonstrable practical experience and knowledge across a range of taxa including Zoo mammals, birds, domestic and exotic species. Additional skills and knowledge for working with aquatic, lower vertebrate and invertebrate species would be a particular benefit to the current team
  • Ideally hold a full UK driving licence and be willing to drive college vehicles

We Can Offer You

  • 47 days annual leave including Bank Holidays and Christmas Closure
  • Generous pension scheme with an employer contribution of 19.8%
  • Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
  • Enhanced sick pay
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Pluxee reward scheme
  • Free on site gym membership
  • Onsite Starbucks along with multiple restaurant and cafe outlets
  • Access to a multitude of external benefits through local businesses to the Cheshire area
  • Specialist equipment reflecting industry practice

As a College, we actively encourage applications from industry professionals without a teaching qualification, as well as those from qualified teachers. Reaseheath offers a full CPD programme with access to funded qualifications alongside hands on support whilst completing Further Education Training. Industry professionals joining the College in an academic role, will complete their Further Education Training whilst in post.

Apply For This Job

For more information, to view the full job description and to apply, please email kerrir@reaseheath.ac.uk, and, peopleservices@reaseheath.ac.uk to arrange a conversation or tour with our hiring managers.

Please note this role constitutes ‘regulated activity’ as defined by the Protection of Freedom Act 2012. The successful candidate will therefore be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check with barred list information prior to starting employment. You must also have the right to work in the UK and will be required to provide evidence to support this. In addition, online checks will be carried out during the recruitment process. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Reaseheath College is committed to achieving its public sector general equality duty, which is set out in the Equality Act 2010. The College has a clear mission and clear values, which incorporate equality, diversity and inclusion.

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The College staff recruitment and selection process, CPD processes, policies and practice are designed to ensure that when employment decisions are made, they are based solely on the skills and qualities required for the position and comply with all relevant employment legislation and best practice standards.

Disability Support

The College is a Disability Confident Employer and will support any reasonable adjustments you require to perform your best during the recruitment process. You can contact the People Services team at peopleservices@reaseheath.ac.uk should you require any adjustments during either your application or during the assessment centre.

Safer Recruitment Statement

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020)) makes certain regulated activity (i.e. work with children and/or young people) exempt from the Act and therefore requires individuals seeking to work with these groups to be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check with children's barred list, amongst other safer recruitment checks.

Where a post is classed as exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, you will be required to reveal all convictions not classed as 'protected' by the Ministry of Justice guidelines, both spent and unspent.

Any information given will be completely confidential and will be considered in relation to an application for positions to which the Order applies. Please note that certain criminal convictions may affect your eligibility for employment with the college, but having a previous conviction will not automatically bar you from employment. Please refer to the college website for the policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders.

This information is considered sensitive personal data under the Data Protection Act 2018. It will only be used for the purposes of this recruitment exercise and will be safely disposed of after six months if you are not successful in your application for this vacancy.

Other safer recruitment checks that will be carries out during the recruitment process include online checks and prohibition from teaching checks (where relevant).

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised close date if we receive a sufficient number of applications.

We do not accept applications or speculative CVs through recruitment agencies.

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Skills

Animal Care
Team Supervision
Student Support
Communication Skills
Organizational Skills
Motivational Skills
Independent Work
Flexible Approach
Practical Experience
Knowledge of Taxa
Driving Licence

Location

London, England, United Kingdom

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