Maternity Cover, Section Lead – West Section

We are looking for someone with strong leadership and organisational skills, and who has an absolute minimum of 5 years’ experience working in a zoo setting, with at least some of the species held on our West section.

This role will also involve joining the Lead Keeper team, occasionally deputising as head keeper for the day. For this, the candidate will need to be able to demonstrate great team working skills, a working knowledge of a range of species and the ability to problem solve a variety of challenges.

This is a full-time position working a 40-hour week as per the staff rota (including weekends and bank holidays).

Species held on West Section: African Lions, Tiger, Spectacled Bears, Coatis, Tapir, Capybara, Mara, Giant Anteater, Armadillo, Poision Dart Frogs.

Applicants must:

· Be familiar and have knowledge and practical experience required for a variety of species on section.

· A strong work ethic

· Excellent standards of animal care and hygiene, including record keeping.

· Strong teamwork and leadership skills and excellent communication.

· Enthusiasm and experience for visitor engagement.

· Hold an animal-based qualification or equivalent work-based learning.

· Have a full driving licence.

Other job holder expectations:

· Assist in the daily management and care of all animals on section, including food preparation and feeding, enclosure maintenance, enrichment, and training.

· Deliver high quality talks, keeper experiences / encounters to our visitors.

· Drive the company vehicle for collection of resources, e.g. meat and veterinary supplies.

· Join the Lead Keeper team and take department leadership duties and responsibilities as appropriate.

Salary Range: Level 4 – Level 5, From £28,080.00 per annum - £29,348.80 per annum.

To apply: Please send a CV and covering letter to careers@noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk the subject heading of emails should read ‘Maternity Cover, Section Lead – West Section’

Your application must include an accurate summary of your relevant experience, a complete list of your working history and comments on your compatibility with our ‘Applicants must’ list. If your experience is with other zoo species, please describe and explain why you would like to work with these species.

Covering letters should be no longer than 1 side of A4.

Closing date for applications: Monday 23rd March 2026