Deputy Head Keeper (Lotherton Wildlife World)

Job title: Deputy Head Keeper

Salary: B3 *GBP*25,584 - *GBP*27,269

Hours: 37.5 hrs/week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Lotherton Wildlife World

Deputy Head Keeper Lotherton Wildlife World

The Deputy Head Keeper is a great opportunity to expand your existing experience in animal husbandry and team management. Working with the Head Keeper to help lead and motivate the animal team ensuring a high standard of animal welfare, husbandry and record keeping across a broad range of species and taxa. In the absence of the Head Keeper, to be responsible for the day-to-day organisation and supervision of staff and the adherence to health and safety and operational procedures on a daily basis.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions

About you

As the Deputy Head Keeper, you will bring to the role:

• At least 3 yearsexperience working in a zoological collection with a range of species and taxa
• A relevant qualification such as DMZAA, Level 3 in Animal Care or equivalent
• Strong understanding of zoo animal husbandry, welfare, and the Secretary of State Standards of Modern Zoo Practice.
• Experience using ZIMS or other recognised animal record systems
• Confident communication skills, including delivering engaging public talks and experiences

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a key leadership role within the animal team at Lotherton Wildlife World.

As our new Deputy Head Keeper, you support the Head Keeper in leading daily operationsguiding and motivating the keeping team while ensuring the highest standards of welfare, husbandry, and safety. From morning briefings and team coordination to practical animal care, conservation engagement, and mentoring junior staff, you be an essential part of the day-to-day running and future development of the zoo.

You work closely with the Head Keeper, Animal Registrar, and Zoo Manager to maintain accurate records, implement best practice, and support new initiatives across the site. This is a hands-on role that combines leadership with practical expertise, offering you the chance to help shape Lotherton next chapter through both animal care and exciting developments in education, conservation and visitor experience.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements

• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact Daniel Messer, Zoo Manager email [email protected]

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying.To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least *GBP*38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying

Job Description

Job purpose

Working with the Head Keeper to help lead and motivate the animal team ensuring a high standard of animal welfare, husbandry and record keeping across a broad range of species and taxa. In the absence of the Head Keeper, to be responsible for the day-to-day organisation and supervision of staff and the adherence to health and safety and operational procedures on a daily basis.

Responsibilities

• To ensure a high standard of animal health and welfare across Lotherton Wildlife World in line with zoo licensing requirements and BIAZA guidelines.
• In the absence of the head keeper to take a lead in daily briefings, making sure all members of the team are kept up to date with section information.
• To promote a positive, motivating, and supportive working environment for all members of staff.
• To ensure that all health and safety, risk assessments and standard operating procedures are adhered to and implemented, and to report and advise on any animal husbandry or staff safety matters to the head keeper or Zoo manager.
• With the support of the animal registrar and head keeper ensure that all animal records are initiated accurately kept and monitored, ensuring that those records are up to date, accessible and recorded in the appropriate way.
• To monitor all animals for signs of illness, injury and distress reporting any concerns to the head keeper or Zoo manager.
• To stay up-to-date with industry advancements, best practices and legal requirements related to animal care and husbandry.
• To ensure that the animal enclosures are secure and safe for both animals and guests, with daily and monthly checks reporting any defects to the Head Keeper.
• To assist in the support of conservation and educational activities, including the delivery of keeper talks and animal experiences.
• To comply with the health and safety and equal opportunities policies of the council and legislation regarding employment conditions.
• To undertake any duties as may be commensurate with the post and grade.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving license.
• Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DIMZAA) or NVG Level 3 in Animal Care or equivalent.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• 3 years minimum working in the zoological industry.
• Knowledge of working in the zoological industry including managing a range of different taxa and species.
• Ability to carry out animal husbandry to a high standard in line with the Secretary of State Standard of Modern Zoo Practice.
• Understanding of ZIMS record keeping.
• Experience in delivering conservation and education through presentations, talks and experiences to arrange of different audience types.
• Knowledge of external and international zoo organisations (ABWAK, BIAZA, EAZA)

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated with the ability to work well under pressure.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to implement effective resolutions.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Good verbal and written skills with the ability to communicate to mangers, colleagues and members of the public at all levels.
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Understanding of water filtration systems in a zoo environment.
• Qualified / competent in the use and maintenance of petrol driven mowers, strimmer and hedge trimmers.
• Fire safety / marshal qualification
• First aid training.
• Ability to understand basic construction techniques for the repair and maintenance of animal enclosures.
• Ability to participate in research and conservation.
• Experience and understanding of artificial incubation and rearing.