Closing Date: 1 June 2024
Salary commensurate with experience
Permanent, Full-Time Position
Plus living out allowance of £2,600.00 per annum, if onsite accommodation is not required or available.
Are you wild about creating memorable experiences?
Do you want to work in a place where you can hear the roar from our pride of lions, or calls from troops of howler monkeys?
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Deputy Head Keeper to join our team of dedicated Primate keepers looking after our numerous primate species, such as Javan Langurs, Drill, Baboons, Belted Ruffed lemurs and many more here at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve.
Our Deputy Head Keeper will be responsible for assisting the Section Head in managing the section and staff, which includes assisting with the development of trainee keepers and providing guidance to interns and volunteers. You will prepare and distribute food and water to animals, and report any animal health concerns to the Section Head. You will maintain enclosures to a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness, as well as assist with the general repair and improvement of enclosures. You will also hold talks, encounters, and answer enquiries from the public in a helpful and polite manner.
Who are we looking for:
You will have at least 5 years’ experience as a Keeper, which must include working with Primates, alongside an awareness of current conservation issues and a passion for animal welfare. You will have excellent leadership skills and the ability to work effectively in a team and without supervision. You will possess good all-round animal husbandry skills and be enthusiastic in contributing to the enrichment of the primate species around the park. You must be comfortable interacting with the public, and will hold a recognised Animal Management qualification and knowledge of all aspects of H&S including risk assessments. It is essential for the successful candidate to have a full valid driving license.
Contract details:
Salary commensurate with experience. This is a full-time, permanent position, working 40 hours a week, 5 days out of 7 including weekends and bank holidays. If onsite accommodation is not required, living out allowance is received in addition to salary (£2,600 per annum). Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
The location:
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is a world-renowned wild animal park set within 600 acres of Kentish savannah. The Reserve is home to some of the world’s most rare and endangered animals and offers luxury short breaks accommodation, free roaming animal safaris, once-in-a-lifetime animal encounters and exquisite dining experiences. Most importantly, every one of our employees is part of real conservation in action and their efforts have contributed to animals such as black rhino and western lowland gorillas being returned to their natural habitats in collaboration with our partners at The Aspinall Foundation.
Why you should join us:
We’re on a mission to create memorable experiences that matter, and our Core Values ‘One Team’, Customer’ and ‘Pride’ are what drive us each day to become part of something extraordinary. As well as walking to work surrounded by the calls of Howler monkeys and the roars from our pride of Lions, you will join a supportive team who are passionate about their place of work.
Be part of the Port Lympne and Howletts family and join our pride.
You can also expect a host of other ‘roarsome’ benefits including:
•28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, rising with length of service.
•Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including workshops and e-learning.
•Enhanced Sickness, Maternity and Paternity Policies.
•Unlimited free entry for you and a person of your choice into both of our parks as well as friends and family tickets.
•Exceptional discounts on food, retail and accommodation at our parks.
•Numerous retail discounts and access to a 24-hour counselling line through our Healthy Extras Scheme.
•Company Pension
•And many more length or service-related rewards and Benefits.
Your adventure awaits.
#joinourpride
To Apply: Please email your full C.V. and covering letter to recruitment@howlettsandportlympne.com