If you don’t have a passion for animals, are not able to demonstrate experience in caring for them, hate getting wet or cold on a regular basis, don’t like dealing with the general public and see your weekly wage as the main reason for going to work – then don’t read any further!

Zoo Keeping is a very popular career so it is vital that you commit yourself from an early stage. Knowledge, enthusiasm, and experience are vital attributes to successfully taking that step into a career as a Zoo Keeper. There are many things you can do to build your CV to make it impressive and grasp the attention of your potential employers. Your CV will need to demonstrate a dedication to learning, relevant experience and a commitment to animals and the community.

> What is the minimum age for working at the zoo?
> What experience and qualifications are needed to work as a Zoo keeper?
> How does a person apply for a job as a zoo keeper?
> What are the hours of work for zoo keepers?
> What does a keeper’s job involve?
> How to build your CV
> Tips for your CV
> Interview Tips
> Useful links

What is the minimum age for working at the zoo?
The minimum age for working in any department is 16 years.

What experience and qualifications are needed to work as a Zoo keeper?
For gaining employment as a zoo keeper some experience in an animal related area such as stables, kennels or veterinary surgery is helpful as are good grades attained at a recognised college in an animal care / husbandry course. Above all, however, is the correct attitude towards the animals and their care and a keen interest in wild and captive animals with a general interest in conservation.

How does a person apply for a job as a zoo keeper?
The best way to apply for a job as a zoo keeper is to send a written application to the Zoo manager. This application should include details of educational qualifications, work experience and references.

If there are no immediate vacancies then the application will be kept on file until a position becomes available.

What are the hours of work for zoo keepers?
Keepers work from 8.00 am to 5.00 PM each day for five days per week. All keepers are required to work weekends on a rota basis and all public holidays. During the summer months hours can be longer.

What does a keeper’s job involve?
Most people would answer that a keeper’s role is to clean out and feed the animals. This is essentially true but there is a great deal more to the keeper’s role than that.

Exotic species are much more susceptible to disease than domestic stock. To reduce any possibility of infection to the animals and staff, both the animals and their enclosures must be kept very clean. Enclosures have to brushed and hosed, food and water dishes must be cleaned thoroughly and faeces removed regularly. Staff personal hygiene is also very important.

Staff also need to monitor carefully the type and amount of food consumed and ensure that the diets that they are feeding are also correct.

The psychological well being of the animals is also of great importance and hence the emphasis on behavioural and environmental enrichment techniques. It is up to keepers to ensure that the animals they look after behave as normally as possible and do not become bored and thus exhibit stereotyped behaviour patterns. To do this various games, food delivery changes and alterations in husbandry are regularly made.

Keepers also need to be able to pay attention to detail. Keepers must observe and note down any variations in the appearance and behaviour of the animals in their care. Any changes in what is considered normal behaviour maybe the first signs of illness or stress and the keeper must know the correct people to contact, e.g. curator or zoo manager.

It is important that enclosures are kept in a manner that best displays the animals but also offers them protection from unfavourable weather and constant attention from visitors. Keepers have to undertake various duties such as minor repairs, weeding, raking, placement of enclosure furniture, nesting boxes etc. Security and locking of enclosures is also a very important duty of the keeper.

Keepers are expected to respect their animals and the potential dangers involved in working with them. They are under a duty of care to protect themselves and others at all times and to abide by all Health and Safety requirements.

Good record keeping is an essential part of a zoo keeper’s job as we try to maximise the use of a limited gene pool. We must know the origin of animals, parents, dates of birth, deaths and mating and general behavioural notes. Various ID methods are used such as tattoos, tags and microchips. Records of animals are kept on a computer system called ARKS (Animal Record Keeping System) so a daily report sheet must be filled in by each keeper to update this database.

Keepers are in the front line when talking to the public and there is a reliance on keepers to communicate the zoo’s policy to visitors. Public talks are often given by keepers to inform the public and work experience students may also gain vital information from working alongside keepers.

Communicating with superiors and with juniors is equally important and must be done at all times to avoid misunderstandings that could prove to be dangerous. It also important that keepers relate what has happened on their section to the Curator / Zoo Manager on a daily basis, for example births, deaths, requests, requirements.

Fitness is important especially when working with larger mammals. Keepers need to work long and strenuous days. It’s important that staff realise that the animals are "wild" and not pets which is the zoo has a "limited contact" policy with most animals.

How to build your CV

Pre GCSE
Just having a passion for animals is not enough. Careers in animal care are very sought after so your CV will need to display something extra. Early experience is important and this can be gained in a number of ways:

Keep pets of your own. Look after them well, learn as much as you can about them and make sure their welfare and health is kept at the best possible level. Read literature on your pets and keep yourself well informed on animal and pet care issues.

Use your work experience placement to gain more experience. Try to get a placement at a Zoo, animal park, farm or vets. Any other hands on placement would be worthwhile. Make sure the placement you choose shows you have commitment and put as much time in to it as you can.

If you have the time, get a part time job somewhere where you can learn more about and have contact with animals.

Experience and interest in animals has to be complimented by knowledge. You can enhance your knowledge in the following ways:

Make sure you put every effort into your school work particularly the Sciences. Biology will play an important part of your future learning.

Keep a look out for talks and workshops on animal issues. Extra curricular learning will make your CV even more impressive.

Read articles and magazines on current animal issues and keep up to date on developments in animal care.

Zoo Keeping is a job that requires a lot of your time. Make sure you develop extra curricular activities to show you are generous with your time and have a commitment to the community. Ways to demonstrate this can be achieved in the following ways:

Participate in the Duke of Edinburgh awards or something similar.

Volunteer at special or charitable events.

Attend after school or weekend clubs and societies.

Getting a part time job at a farm, vets, a Zoo or similar establishment.

Continue to look after any pets you have at home. Perhaps develop your own methods of caring for your pets and keep note of any enrichment (ways of keeping your pets’ minds active etc.) techniques you develop for them.

Now is the time when you need to be deciding what further education you embark upon. Certain qualifications are essential to any potential employer and you will need to expand your knowledge.

A’ levels are a great way to take that step into further education. See if any Sixth Form Colleges offer courses in animal care, or develop your knowledge by doing A’ level Biology.

A minimum requirement for most employers is a National Diploma; make sure you do this to enhance your chances and to educate yourself to the best possible level.

If you have a specific interest in a particular species or branch of animal care or study, do a Degree. A Degree shows great commitment and will give you a new lease of valuable knowledge and experience. A degree will also increase your chances of success with applications.

Keep up to date with current animal issues and attend additional lectures, talks and conferences.

Make sure you detail all experience, qualifications and extra curricular activities you have done. Every thing counts so make sure to include it all.

Print your CV on nice paper, although avoid coloured paper as this can deter people.

Make sure to thoroughly check for all spelling and typing errors. A CV with an error, no matter how good the content, can make you look very unprofessional and shows lack of care and attention to detail.

Make sure you look after the CV and do post it in an appropriate sized envelope. A CV that is crumpled, torn, stained, or creased also looks very unimpressive and shows lack of care.

Make sure you are well presented. This shows you care about your appearance and that you want to make a good impression.

Simple things like hair and finger nails are also noticed so ensure you are fully presentable.

Sit up straight and do not fold your arms! Place your hands in your lap or by your side.

Think about what you are saying. Don’t be afraid to pause to think before answering a question and be careful not to give one word answers.

Make sure you make eye contact with your interviewee.

The following local colleges and universities offer courses in animal care etc.:

http://www.anglia.ac.uk/

http://www.otleycollege.ac.uk/

http://www.lowestoft.ac.uk/new/