Animal Keeper

Trades & Services
Midlothian
May 1, 2026
Permanent
Urgent

Job Description

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world where nature is protected,valuedand loved.

How you you’ll contribute to our mission

We are currently looking for an Animal Keeper – with direction from your Team Leader and Senior Keeper, you will perform 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 thingsyou’lldo

  • Help to ensure animal welfare, husbandry and management is of the highest standard,taking into accountrelevant legislation and best practice animal management.
  • Follows animal working procedures.
  • Contribute to enclosure design, maintenance,enrichmentand enclosurefurnishingto 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 teamobjectivesand 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 andaccurateanimal 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 ensureaccuratedata preservation (e.g.weights, behaviours, health, births, deaths, training,enrichmentand treatments).
  • Support delivery of all aspects of an agreed range of the Animal Engagement and Interaction Programme,e.g.Keeper experience, animal shows and encounters, dailytalksand events, and contribute to its further development.
  • When required work with colleagues to train the animals to cooperate in their own care and where appropriate to have them display natural behaviours to engage our visitors with our mission and vision

What we are looking for

  • Good levelof education at standard grade or equivalent qualifications (including English, Mathematics and Sciences)
  • Willingness to undertake further professional development meeting the requirements of the European Professional Zookeepers Qualification Framework (zookeepers.eu/framework/)
  • Competent in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
  • First-class customer service,e.g.interpersonal skills and ability to engage with the public
  • Candemonstratean interest in animals with some practical experience in a zoo or animal-related environment

What you’ll get in return

  • Starting pro-rated salary of £24,804 to £25,329 (offer based on experience).
  • 34 days annual leave (pro rata)
  • Discount in both retail/catering
  • Access to a healthcare plan
  • Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), that provide 24-hour counselling and support, including health, legal, finance,wellbeingand family advice
  • 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 ofotherZoo’s across the UK.

This is a fixed-term role for 6 months initially.

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

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce following the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010.

Location

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