Job Description
Job Title:
Team Leader Ectotherms Whipsnade
Section (optional):
Department:
Animal Department
Directorate:
Zoological
Responsible to:
Senior Curator Whipsnade
Current job holder:
New post
Approved by:
Head of Department/ Director:
Grade Allocated:
Date Allocated:
Job Description
Key Purpose of the Job
The primary aim of the job is to manage on a daily basis a new section at Whipsnade Zoo
focussing on lower vertebrates and invertebrates and to contribute to its successful and
ambitious development. As this is a new position in a new section in the Animal Department
the position will grow with the job but the core role is to act as team leader for the section
and to play a major role in the evolution of this section over a number of years.
The post holder will be part of a team that will manage a major new facility with butterflies
and crocodiles and will be the primary point of contact in the department at Whipsnade for
the focal taxa in the section. Additionally the post holder will contribute significantly to the
design and then the future management of a phased development of this section which will
primarily include a major aquarium facility
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Section Specific
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Ensure the highest standards of the husbandry of the relevant taxa both current and
proposed taxa in future developments especially aquatic fauna.
Implement modern standards of exhibit design to aid the development of current and
future facilities
In conjunction with the taxonomic curators manage the collection plan for associated
taxa
Developing and maintain life support systems for aquatic species including water quality
management and environmental systems
Demonstrate and develop a strong profile in BIAZA and EAZA for ZSL and other relevant
communities such as EUAC.
ZIMS – responsible for ensuring use and data entry within assigned areas
To be involved in ZSL field conservation projects where appropriate and relevant
2. General Team Leader
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Organise the daily operations of the section, setting rosters, allocating duties and dealing
with the associated administration and systems.
Maintain the highest standards of animal care, reporting and advising on the health and
welfare of the animals.
Work on the section as a member of the keeper team on a daily basis.
Take on role as Animal Department Duty Co-ordinator/Team Leader as required.
Present the animals and the area to the visitor to highest standards.
Ensure the health and safety of staff, volunteers and visitors and:
Prepare and regularly reviewing risk assessments.
Maintain up-to-date protocols for safe working.
Ensure staff are adequately trained for the tasks they are called to carry out.
Undertake and arrange weekly inspections of all public areas under their control.
Ensure that staff receives an annual PDR and have the necessary training and
development, in particular, ensuring the requirements of the DMZAA are met.
Ensure the Animal Keeper volunteers are given appropriate training and support.
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Manage the interface with visitors, including keeper talks, special exhibitions, etc.
Ensure staff in the team is managed appropriately and within ZSL’s management
standards, in conjunction with the Animal Department Operations Manager. Ensuring
that all ZSL procedures and policies are followed.
Maintain computer databases and other records as required, including for animal, health
and safety and HR-related matters. Deal with correspondence relating to the team’s
activities.
Participate with other departments in order to achieve ZSL’s objectives in conservation,
education and research.
Assist with research undertaken on the section where necessary and to advise on new
projects which may assist the management of species on the section. The production of
papers and reports on this research will be expected.
Work with the Marketing and PR Departments in order to increase awareness of ZSL’s
work.
Participate in external activities such as EEPs and TAGs as required by the Curator.
Expectations of job holder
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To ensure that the policy for equality of opportunity is adhered to and promoted in all
aspects of the post holder’s work.
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To ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work
and responsibilities attached to this post.
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Demonstrate professionalism towards sensitive and confidential information.
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To comply with and promote Health and Safety policies and procedures and to
undertake recommended Health and Safety training as and when necessary.
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To be committed to professional self-development, through participation in in-service
training as necessary for the successful carrying out of the job.
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To undertake such other duties as are commensurate with the grade of the post.
NB: This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be
encountered. It is not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in
consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in the job or the organisation.
Person Specification
Someone with drive and enthusiasm to take on a new role at Whipsnade and develop that in
line with the support and profile that it will have. Ability to develop a team
Qualifications & Experience
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Degree in a relevant subject (Zoology, Biology) or diploma in an animal care subject
DMZAA
Proven record of practical work with invertebrates, fish (and other aquatic taxa),
reptiles and amphibia as a keeper over a significant period
Experience in species management programmes both in theory and with a practical
background
Team management and supervisory experience
Knowledge
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Detailed knowledge in husbandry of aquatic species, reptiles and amphibia
Knowledge of the management of invertebrates, especially butterflies and moths
Health and safety in a zoo environment
Of ZIMS and animal record processes
Collection planning
Skills & Abilities
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Ability to use ZIMS
Ability to train staff and develop their skills.
High standards of Keeper skills
Excellent communication skills
Other Requirements
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Ability to attend meetings and conferences at a national and regional level with
possibly global travel
Driver’s licence
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is a 7 day business with animal staff working on a rolling rota
including weekend working
Some knowledge on the care of plants in exhibits would be an advantage
Job Description Analysis for Job Evaluation Process
A.
Applied Knowledge, Skills and Expertise
Degree in a relevant biological subject, or City and Guilds Diploma in Zoo Animal
Management or the equivalent. The post holder needs to be computer literate, and
have a working knowledge of the web systems. The job holder must have a good
proven track record as a keeper of relevant taxa with a period in a position that has
some management responsibility and needs to be in post one year to perform
adequately.
B.
Responsibilities
i.
Human Resource Management
Responsible for an animal section with initially 2 staff rising as the section develops
and expands up to 5 staff in 5 years. The job holder is the leader of the section and
has the authority to assign duties and move staff within the section. Responsible for
all aspects of Health and Safety at work. Responsible for training and daily
supervision of staff, volunteers, work experience placements and students.
ii.
Physical Resource Management
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Plant, machinery, equipment, materials and products
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Standard office equipment
Sophisticated (and expensive – up to £500,000) plant in the form of life support
systems in the aquarium
Sophisticated environments for the animals that require routine care and
maintenance
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Budgetary control and/or all forms of legal tender
There will be some budgetary management under supervision of the curator.
Involvement in budget review and monitoring, as appropriate. There is an occasional
need to handle cash, e.g. for purchase of equipment or proceeds of fund-raising
events.
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Confidentiality
Standard information that is available to ZSL staff plus the occasional VIP visits.
Access to confidential staff details and sensitive information, as appropriate e.g.
new arrivals, VIP visits, commercial material.
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Animals
Responsible for the health and welfare of a large number of species many of which
can be considered as sensitive to their environments with significant consequences if
there are problems.
C.
Building Relationships
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Interpersonal Skills
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ii.
The post holder will work with senior staff in the form of curators on a regular basis,
they will need to manage a team on a daily basis plus working with colleagues from a
range of other departments including maintenance contractors, volunteers,
presenters and most importantly regular contact with visitors.
Communication
Communication at all levels is an important part of the job, and the job holder is
frequently required to use the appropriate skills. Internal communications include
dealings with section staff, other zoo and ZSL staff. External communication is with
the public, media and outside bodies, e.g. RSPCA. The majority of communication is
verbal, either over the telephone or face-to-face but report writing is important. Email, and other IT systems, will be used frequently.
iii.
Liaison
The job holder’s daily contact with staff in all departments affects operational
efficiency especially with Curators and the Animal Department Operations Manager.
Contact with the public, media and potential sponsors can affect the image of the
Zoo, thus influencing revenue and sponsorship.
D.
Mental Demands
i.
Judgment and Decision Making
The job holder uses initiative and judgement to plan and implement the work and
working methods of the section. A broad range of skills is required for the job but, in
particular, a high level of expertise in the management of the relevant taxon.
Decisions taken in order to co-ordinate the components of the job in hand are based
on past experience and reference to known practices and in discussion with
colleagues
ii.
Original Thought and Problem Solving
Most problems are resolved independently, using the job holder’s experience,
management skills and research and by using staff knowledge and experience on the
section or colleagues in other areas. Sometimes advice is sought from the
Operations Manager and/or Curators, other zoos or outside organisations. With the
development of the new section, the post-holder will be expected to propose new
ideas in the presentation of animals on the section including new and innovative
systems.
Routine problems usually relate to animal care and housing or staff. More difficult
problems arise when an animal is sick or there is an escape, requiring initiative and
quick-thinking. Team Leaders are intimately involved in the planning and design of
exhibits, which requires logical and creative ability.
iii.
Concentration
High levels of awareness/alertness are required at all times.
Often, intense concentration is required when dealing with dangerous animals such
as venomous reptiles, large cats etc., or when recording data.
iv.
Flexibility
The job holder deals with a wide range of tasks which are frequently interrupted.
Ability to prioritise and evaluate the key issues to be dealt with in a restricted time is
required, as is an ability to cope with unexpected events, such as births, sickness,
staff absence or media events. Patience and flexibility when dealing with public
enquiries and the media are required.
E.
Working Conditions
The nature of animal management is physically and mentally demanding. There is
sometimes a significant risk to health and safety when working with animals, in
particular, dangerous, and venomous species.
The physical environmental also contributes to difficult working conditions, i.e.,
extremes of weather, large, restrictive and/or hot enclosures, crowded public areas.
Lifting food stocks and caging materials can be heavy work.