Trainee Animal Keeper - Elephants

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Closing date for applications is: 20th Apr 2025

Salary: Trainee level - £23,795.20 per annum (£11.44 per hour).

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm has a new and exciting opening for a Trainee Animal Keeper on our Elephant section. Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is home to the UK's largest Elephant enclosure operating as Europe's premier African bull facility. We have one of the best equipped facilities in Europe and pride ourselves on our progressive protected contact philosophy.

We are looking for a motivated individual to join our committed and friendly team of animal keepers. We welcome applications from candidates who are team orientated, hardworking, proactive, positive in their attitude to all tasks and keen to learn. The role is physically demanding, and successful candidates will be able to meet the requirements of the role. A strong work ethic, good team working and communication skills and the ability to maintain high levels of hygiene are also important.

For this position we are looking for someone who has already made steps towards a career working with animals. Previous experience with elephants is positive but not essential. Professional work with other large animals would also be seen as valuable experience.

This trainee position is a full-time, permanent role (subject to passing probation period), progression from a trainee level to a level 1 keeper is expected and is a natural part of the role after certain training milestones have been reached (between 1 - 2 years).

Typical aspects of the role include:

• Assist in the daily management and care of the Elephants on section, including food preparation, feeding, cleaning, enclosure maintenance, and training.

Other expectations:

• Undertake any other duties as are relevant to the position and section.
• Mindful of the visitor experience in all aspects of your work.
• Comply with and promote health and safety policies in all aspects of your work.
• Must have a valid manual driving licence.

This is a full-time position working 40 hours a week on a flexible rota (including weekends and bank holidays).

Apply for this job:

Please send your CV and covering letter via email, please make the subject of your emails read 'Trainee Animal Keeper - Elephants'.

Your covering letter should include an accurate summary of your relevant experience and a complete list of your working history and comments on your compatibility to the role. If your experience is with other zoo species, please describe and explain why you would like to work at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm with Elephants.

Covering letters should be strictly no longer than 1 side of A4 and a maximum of 400 words.

First stage interviews will take place via zoom.