Lead Keeper - Domestics
| Posting date: | 02 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £28,770 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 07 July 2025 |
| Location: | Whipsnade, Dunstable |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | ZSL Whipsnade Zoo |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Purpose of the role:
We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Keeper to join the Domestic section at Whipsnade Zoo, the UK’s largest zoo, set in over 600 acres of beautiful countryside and home to more than 11,000 animals.
In this role, you’ll lead a dedicated and passionate team of zookeepers who are committed to continually improving welfare and husbandry for a diverse range of domestic species. The section cares for a variety of rare and traditional breeds recognised by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), including Dartmoor Ponies, Shetland Cattle, Middle White pigs, Bagot goats, Guernsey goats, Boreray sheep, Soay sheep, Manx Loaghtan sheep, and Grey Faced Dartmoor sheep. The team also manages a large herd of Soay sheep, Bagot, and Cashmere goats for conservation grazing across our Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in a world-leading conservation organisation, contributing directly to our global mission: a world where wildlife thrives.
ZSL’s zoos operate 7 days a week, and this role requires an average of 37.5 hours per week, worked on a rota that includes weekends and bank holidays.
Key responsibilities:
Team Leadership: Supervise the Animal Team daily, including zookeepers, apprentices, seasonal staff, and volunteers, ensuring effective operations and providing mentoring and support.
Animal Care & Welfare: Maintain the highest standards of animal care, monitor health and welfare, and report or advise on any concerns within the section.
Operational Oversight: Oversee day-to-day section operations, ensuring agreed procedures, safety standards, and best practices are consistently followed.
Record Keeping & Systems: Lead on accurate record keeping, including the use and supervision of the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS).
Representation & Collaboration: Engage with industry Working Groups, Committees, and Programmes, actively representing ZSL and contributing to sector-wide collaboration.
Inclusion & Flexibility: Promote and adhere to ZSL’s equality and diversity policies.
About You
• A thorough understanding of the legal duty of care under animal health and welfare legislation and the secretary of state’s standard of modern zoos practice.
• Good working knowledge of heath and safety implementation, policies, and procedures.
• Be responsible for own time management to reconcile the demands of the job with those of general Zoo Keeping.
• An ability to deliver presentations and keeper talks confidently and professionally.
• Strong commitment to creating a culture that lives ZSL values and a commitment to safeguarding.
• This post will require extensive outside working with direct exposure to the weather and animals.
• Staff who are contracted in this role at our Whipsnade Zoo site require a full manual driving license as an essential requirement.
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. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Keeper to join the Domestic section at Whipsnade Zoo, the UK’s largest zoo, set in over 600 acres of beautiful countryside and home to more than 11,000 animals.
In this role, you’ll lead a dedicated and passionate team of zookeepers who are committed to continually improving welfare and husbandry for a diverse range of domestic species. The section cares for a variety of rare and traditional breeds recognised by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), including Dartmoor Ponies, Shetland Cattle, Middle White pigs, Bagot goats, Guernsey goats, Boreray sheep, Soay sheep, Manx Loaghtan sheep, and Grey Faced Dartmoor sheep. The team also manages a large herd of Soay sheep, Bagot, and Cashmere goats for conservation grazing across our Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in a world-leading conservation organisation, contributing directly to our global mission: a world where wildlife thrives.
ZSL’s zoos operate 7 days a week, and this role requires an average of 37.5 hours per week, worked on a rota that includes weekends and bank holidays.
Key responsibilities:
Team Leadership: Supervise the Animal Team daily, including zookeepers, apprentices, seasonal staff, and volunteers, ensuring effective operations and providing mentoring and support.
Animal Care & Welfare: Maintain the highest standards of animal care, monitor health and welfare, and report or advise on any concerns within the section.
Operational Oversight: Oversee day-to-day section operations, ensuring agreed procedures, safety standards, and best practices are consistently followed.
Record Keeping & Systems: Lead on accurate record keeping, including the use and supervision of the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS).
Representation & Collaboration: Engage with industry Working Groups, Committees, and Programmes, actively representing ZSL and contributing to sector-wide collaboration.
Inclusion & Flexibility: Promote and adhere to ZSL’s equality and diversity policies.
About You
• A thorough understanding of the legal duty of care under animal health and welfare legislation and the secretary of state’s standard of modern zoos practice.
• Good working knowledge of heath and safety implementation, policies, and procedures.
• Be responsible for own time management to reconcile the demands of the job with those of general Zoo Keeping.
• An ability to deliver presentations and keeper talks confidently and professionally.
• Strong commitment to creating a culture that lives ZSL values and a commitment to safeguarding.
• This post will require extensive outside working with direct exposure to the weather and animals.
• Staff who are contracted in this role at our Whipsnade Zoo site require a full manual driving license as an essential requirement.
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. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.