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Chester Zoo is hiring a new keeper to look after its penguins and parrots

Bound to be someone's dream role.

Emily Sergeant - 18th June 2024

Chester Zoo is currently hiring someone to look after its penguins and parrots, and you can get your applications in the for role now.

If you’re after a career change in 2024, then it surely can’t get much better than this?

The UK’s biggest charity zoo currently has a vacancy open for a Lead Bird Keeper to join the Penguins & Parrots team on a permanent basis, and according to the description of the job on its website, it’s looking for a “dedicated and hardworking individual” with extensive knowledge and a proven track-record in delivering the highest standards of avian husbandry and exhibitory.

The role will involve supporting the Assistant Team Manager in the daily management of the section, along with leading, training, and working closely with other team members to “ensure the highest standards are met”.

The ideal candidate will have “substantial” experience working as an aviculturist in a zoological or conservation–breeding facility, a HND or degree level qualification in a zoological related science, and must be able to deliver an excellent level of care for all birds, while ensuring that all enclosures and facilities are properly maintained.

According to the zoo, the role may also involve representing Chester Zoo and the team for media interviews and internal and external meetings workshops and conferences.

The job description emphasises that excellent communication skills are “essential”.

Some of the additional qualities the zoo indicates will make you stand out from the crowd include having a strong work ethic, the ability to demonstrate good leadership qualities, outstanding observational skills, and excellent attention to detail.

Ultimately, you’ll need to be an “enthusiastic, dynamic, and motivated team player”.

The role of ‘Lead Keeper – Parrots and Penguins’ is 40 hours per week, with the working week including some weekends and Bank Holidays, and the salary on offer being £28,612.83.

Working at Chester Zoo comes with an “excellent benefits package” and loads of perks too, including a generous pension scheme, 33 days paid holidays per year, a healthcare plan, a staff pass so that you can visit the zoo for free, and complimentary tickets for friends and family.

You’ll even get a load of discounts on gym memberships, cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops, and so much more.

Read more:

• Chester Zoo’s ‘after hours’ evenings are back with tickets 50% cheaper than during the day
• 11 new ‘highly threatened’ penguin chicks have hatched at Chester Zoo
• Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings

The closing date for applications is 30 June 2024, and you can get your applications in on the Chester Zoo website here.

Featured Image – Chester Zoo