Assistant Team Manager - Rhinos

We are Chester Zoo, and for over 90 years we’ve been a leading conservation and education charity, and an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction.
We’re also a team of passionate, talented, enthusiastic and expert people, doing everything we can to prevent extinction, from caring for animals to discovering new conservation ideas, and giving our visitors an inspirational day out.

We work hard because we love animals, we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and despite all the recent challenges thrown at us, we still want to be the best zoo in the world! If you think you can help us to achieve that, then we’d love to hear from you.
We currently have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Team Manager in our Rhinos team, working in a work setting like no other!

The Role
This is a key role working as part of our professional team, assisting the Team Manager to ensure the highest standards of animal husbandry, welfare and exhibitory are maintained on the Rhino section. A modern, progressive zoo offering opportunities to work with a great team responsible for one of Europe’s largest and most diverse Rhino collections. The rhino section consists of a total of 13 species including the Eastern Black rhinoceros, Greater one horned rhino, Brow-antlered deer, Javan Banteng, Lowland Anoa, Eastern Bongo, Sitatunga, Grevy zebra and several other deer and antelope species.

As Assistant Team Manager you will:

• Assist the Team Manager (TM) in the daily operation of the relevant animal team, ensuring compliance and high standards of animal care and visitor experience, directing, and organising activities as agreed with TM.
• To assist the TM in the management of the department’s assets.
• To be responsible for the work programming and daily operations of Keepers Lead Keepers, and voluntary work placements (VWPs), as delegated and required by TM.
• To be responsible for routine one-to-one meetings/ PDR of Keepers and Lead Keepers, managing and supporting their training and professional development.
• To have good knowledge of the relevant taxa, and current best practise management within the section, to include related conservation initiatives.
• To contribute towards Chester Zoo’s conservation, research, education, and visitor experience objectives, in line with the Zoo’s collection plan, Conservation Masterplan (CMP) and Strategic Development Plan (SDP).
• To deputise for the Team Manager as directed.
• To represent and promote Chester Zoo, ensuring an excellent external reputation.

Our Requirements

• A proven record of experience with a variety of hoof stock is essential, to include up-to-date best practice knowledge of relevant husbandry techniques, along with the ability to learn, adopt and develop new skills.
• A good understanding of general animal management with specific knowledge in the husbandry, training, biology, and key conservation issues of animals within our care.
• A high level of animal care, enclosure maintenance, facility improvement ideas and attention to detail is essential.
• Good knowledge of health problems and veterinary issues that may affect the collection’s animals.
• Good communication skills to engage with other staff and deal with visitors, public talks, and requests for information from outside sources.
• An ability to motivate and encourage keeping staff and VWPs.
• Experience leading staff with an emphasis on enabling keeper development and experience in conducting performance reviews or appraisals is desirable.
• A positive, collaborative, and cooperative working style, with the ability to work with colleagues internally and externally across various disciplines.
• Competent in the use of animal record keeping, including the use of ZIMS Species 360 software
• Computer literate in Microsoft packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)
• A relevant higher education qualification is desirable.
• Driving licence preferred.

The package:

• Contract – Permanent Full time
• 40 hours per week
• Salary of £29,021.21
• 33 days annual leave per year
• Staff pass so that you can visit the zoo during your time off plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions of up to 9%
• Excellent training and career progression opportunities

Shortlisting of applications and interviews for the role will take place while the advert is live; the advert will close once the successful candidate is found. Candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.