Habitat Lead Keeper - Primate and Predators

Habitat Lead Keeper - Primate and Predators

ZSL - London Zoo

London Closing date for applications is: 20th Apr 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Habitat Lead Keeper in the Predators and Primates Section at ZSL London Zoo! This role puts you at the heart of the action, where you’ll oversee daily operations while ensuring the highest standards of animal care, welfare, and enrichment.

We’re looking for a passionate and experienced individual with a strong background in caring for large predators and primates, as well as a deep understanding of habitat design. You’ll also bring the practical expertise needed to redevelop large primate enclosures and provide valuable guidance to the team, following protocols set by the Section Manager, Animal Operations Manager, and Taxonomic Curator.

In this influential role, you’ll drive innovation in habitat design, embracing evolving husbandry techniques and species-specific requirements while delivering an unforgettable, immersive experience for visitors. You’ll also ensure that all team members adhere to Construction Design Management (CDM) Regulations, safeguarding the highest standards of safety and compliance. Training will be supplied if needed.

This is an exceptional chance for a motivated and skilled individual to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact on animal care and visitor engagement.

Key responsibilities:

• Section Oversight: Ensure the smooth running of the section in the absence of the Section Manager and Operational Lead, coordinating with other section leads as needed.
• Habitat Redesign: Plan and execute the redesign of a large primate habitat from start to finish, while training team members in enclosure design when appropriate.
• Design Priorities & Delivery: Support the Section Manager and habitat Design Officer in establishing and delivering enclosure design priorities.
• Risk Assessments & Safety Procedures: Write and review section risk assessments and safe systems of work for power tool use and habitat construction.
• Team Development: Work closely with Section Managers and Lead Keepers to ensure the needs of the collection are met, advising on appropriate training and development for staff.
• Habitat Evaluation & Innovation: Partner with stakeholders to evaluate and enhance habitat designs, considering husbandry standards, species-specific behaviour, and visitor experience.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Liaise with external partners, such as horticulturists and tree surgeons, to source and procure relevant materials.
• Product Research: Conduct research and provide expertise on suitable products for site-wide habitat design projects, collaborating with the Section Manager and Enclosure Design Officer.
• Health & Safety Compliance: Understand and implement health and safety protocols to protect staff, visitors, and animals.
• Animal Welfare Standards: Advise on and implement best practices to ensure animals are housed in safe, species-appropriate habitat.

About You:

• Appropriate qualifications in Zoo Animal Management or the equivalent.
• Prior practical experience of working with habitat design, construction, and refurbishments in Zoos; including structural furnishings such as log placement, hanging, rock work, painting, rope splicing, and basic carpentry.
• Some experience supervising staff in safe use of tools and completing habitat work.
• Knowledge and willingness to work on and learn about habitat design and modification techniques within zoological collections.
• Background knowledge and ability to research products suitable for specific species habitats as well as environmental parameters such as temperature, UV, and other UK requirements for specific species.
• Understands health & safety requirements for staff, visitors, and animals and able to implement processes and procedures.
• Ability to manage, prioritise and delegate a diverse workload.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination.

What We Offer:

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct.
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension.
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you.
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays.
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day.
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops.
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle.
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest-free loan for eligible London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work.
• Family-friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages.