British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)

About the Company

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) is the professional body representing the best zoos and aquariums in the UK and Ireland. We have more than 100 zoo and aquarium members whom we support in their commitment to be at the forefront of conservation, education and research.

These days modern zoos and aquariums are much more than places where the public can go to view a range of animals. Whilst providing a safe and fun-filled family day out is something our members are understandably proud of, by displaying the BIAZA logo our zoos and aquariums are also demonstrating their dedication to conserving the natural world through research and conservation programmes and to educating and inspiring their visitors to do the same.

BIAZA is a member of both the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and through this network our members collaborate on a global scale to further conservation science, natural history and environmental education and animal welfare.

Listed Jobs

Company Name

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)

Job Title

Voluntary Student Work Experience Placement

Job Description

Shaldon Wildlife Trust

South West Closing date for applications is: 30th Sep 2025

Contact: Lia Summers (lia@shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk) Sector: Animal Care Type: Work Experience Contract type: Full-time Salary: None

Shaldon Wildlife Trust is able to offer a number of work experience placements which will give you a unique understanding of working for a small modern zoo and conservation organisation.

There is the chance to simultaneously develop your skills across a variety of departments at Shaldon, including the animal keeping, education, conservation and administration departments.

There is also the opportunity to complete research projects and dissertations during your placement. If you are required to complete a research project during your placement please indicate this at the time of your application.

A placement at Shaldon will provide valuable experience to add to your CV showing future employers that you are committed to a career in the zoo and conservation sector. We have a high success rate of past voluntary students going on to secure careers in animal care or continuing onto further education.

Shaldon Wildlife Trust is a small zoo on the Devon coast. Set in an acre of woodland, we are the smallest member of BIAZA and EAZA. Despite this we are active members of the zoo community and support conservation projects all over the word. Over the years we have gained a great deal of expertise in the breeding of many species, particularly endangered species, and are regarded highly in this field.

We are currently advertising for student work experience placements of 9-12 months (with a 1-month probationary period). Shaldon Wildlife Trust is open every day and the placements will be full time i.e. 5 days a week including weekend duties. The main role of the students will be to assist with the husbandry requirements of the animal collection as directed by the Head Keeper in charge.

The programme is aimed at students undertaking a further or higher education course requiring a sandwich year in industry placement within their degree, or recent graduates who are seeking a career in the animal care/conservation sector or similar.

All placements are purely voluntary and as such it is with regret that Shaldon Wildlife Trust cannot provide any financial support or expenses to those wishing to apply for these opportunities and there will be no promise of future work within the collection at the end of the placement. To ensure that students are provided with a valuable experience, a training agreement will be completed and reviewed regularly, and a training record will be provided upon completion of the placement.

As this position is voluntary and therefore unpaid we recognise that this takes a level of commitment from individuals, therefore we aim to provide each student with a structured learning programme to help them in their future careers. Most of our previous students have gone on to achieve their goals of becoming zoo professionals thanks to the valuable practical experience gained through their placements.

Objectives of the placement

To gain experience and understanding of the work of a zoo animal keeping department.
To gain skills within the education and outreach department including delivering encounters and class room educational sessions.
To deliver educational talks and animal experiences at the zoo to visitors and groups.
To apply own personal skills and take ownership of a series of tasks and/or a research project.
To reflect on training and experience throughout the placement.

Anticipated tasks/training provided

Assisting with daily animal husbandry e.g. behavioural and health observations, nutrition, cleaning, enrichment provision, operant conditioning, enclosure modification etc.
Observations of animals and recording of relevant information.
Training in basic research methods.
Visitor interaction e.g. answering visitor questions in a polite and sensitive manner.
Assisting with student/volunteer supervision at the direction of the head keeper.
Training in animal-management related computer software.
Training in all aspects of the company’s code of practice.
Comprehensive portfolio building

Skills Required

Previous animal-related work experience (not essential)
Good communication skills.
Adaptable to different working environments.
Able to work in a team and independently.
Physically fit for the demands of the post.

Apply For This Job

If you wish to apply for a Voluntary student work experience placement position, please send your CV along with a covering letter no longer than 1 side of A4 to :

Lia Summers

Director, Shaldon Wildlife Trust, Ness Drive, Devon, TQ14 0HP

Email – lia@shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Your covering letter must detail why you are applying for the position, and why you feel that you are a suitable candidate, detailing any suitable knowledge, skills or previous experience that is relevant to this particular role. Please also mention were you saw the advert.

If your application is successful, you will be invited either at Shaldon Wildlife Trust or they can be held online.

London, United Kingdom

On site

04-04-2025

Company Name

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)

Job Title

Experienced Animal Keeper

Job Description

RZSS - Edinburgh Zoo

Scotland Closing date for applications is: 30th Apr 2025

Contact: HR Team (hrteam@rzss.org.uk) Sector: Animal Care Type: Paid Contract type: Full-time Salary: £24,896 - £25,518

The Role

With direction from your Team Leader and Senior Keeper, deliver the day-to-day operations including performing all assigned duties to ensure the smooth running of the allocated animal section/project, aiming to optimise the quality of animal welfare and to deliver or support delivery of an innovative and creative programme of live animal interactive activities to engage and excite visitors in support of RZSS’ vision and mission.

Some of the things you'll do

Take action to ensure the animal welfare, husbandry and management you provide is of the highest standard, taking into account relevant legislation and best practice animal management.
Contribute to enclosure design, maintenance, enrichment and enclosure furnishing to ensure it meets all the needs of the animal and is presentable to the public, e.g. positive visitor engagement and suggest ideas for development to team manager.
Engage with and support visitors, ensuring your message is consistent with team objectives and in line with RZSS’ mission and vision whilst providing first-class customer care and service, e.g. answering visitor queries and undertaking public talks, tours and Keeper for a Day experiences.
Collate and record detailed and accurate animal records via daily record sheets, directly onto ZIMS or using other relevant recording methods in relation to the good management of the animal collection to ensure accurate data preservation (e.g. weights, behaviours, health, births, deaths, training, enrichment and treatments) and provide support to other colleagues/teams including the assessment or analysis of e.g. ZIMS or field data.
Support the training and development of new keepers, interns and students/researchers.
Proactively ensure your knowledge of RZSS, our conservation work and species within the collection is thorough and up to date.

What We Are Looking For

Professional qualification meeting the requirements of the European Professional Zookeepers Qualification Framework (zookeepers.eu/framework/) or equivalent knowledge gained through practical experience working in a zoo or similar environment.
Knowledge and understanding of Zoological legislation and best practice and a practical understanding of current conservation science, zoo biology and animal welfare ethics
Significant practical experience managing a range of exotic animal taxa in a zoo or similar environment and highly skilled in a full range of animal management techniques.
High degree of observational skills and attention to detail and first-class customer service, e.g. interpersonal skills and ability to engage with a wide range of individuals, e.g. the public, internally and externally.

What You’ll Get In Return

Starting salary between £24,896 - £25,518 (offer based on experience) with future salary progression up to £31,250 per annum
37.5hr working week
34 days annual leave (pro rata)
Discount in both retail/catering
Access to a healthcare plan
Employer contributory pension scheme
You will receive a staff membership which will give you (and family/friends) free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoo’s across the UK.

Apply For This Job

Please visit the RZSS Job opportunities page on our website for further details on the role an how to apply: https://www.rzss.org.uk/hr-vacancy-single?Category=Animals%2520%2F%2520Living%2520Collections&Advert=RpI46LKvP5tDpRd4ztOoBg%3D%3D

London, United Kingdom

On site

21-04-2025