Careers at Fife Zoo
Do you want a career working with animals from around the world?
Here at Fife Zoo, we're a small, family run zoo with a big heart.
As an ever growing animal attraction in Scotland, we need a variety of staff to help care for our animals and look after our zoo.
If you'd like to become part of our zoo family, take a look at the career opportunities we currently have below.
Keep or Senior Bird Keeper
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Fife Zoo as a Keeper or Senior Keeper with particular experience and expertise in birds. You will work 38 hours per week over 5 days which will include weekends and bank holidays. We are seeking a keeper excited and enthused about working in a developing small zoo and who is flexible, resourceful and innovative and will embrace the challenges and pace this brings. Reporting to our Lead Keeper, this is an opportunity for an experienced keeper to utilise their avian management skills to play a leading role in the design of new exhibits, manage the arrival and establishment of around 30 new species and lead the zoo to deliver best practice bird care. The collection includes 4 species of hornbill, a variety of passerines, Galliformes, waterfowl and owls however you will work with all our animals that include Grevy’s zebra, primates and small carnivores. You will be supported in your role, receive training and have the opportunity to engage with the zoo industry representing Fife Zoo. You will hold the DMZAA or have a BSc or equivalent in an animal related subject and at least 1 years’ experience for the qualified keeper and 3 years for a Senior Keeper role. If you do NOT have these qualifications and experience your application will not be considered. Salary to be discussed and will be reviewed on completion of a probationary period. Please send your CV and a letter of application to Dr Matt Hartley matt@fifezoo.org
Animal Keeper Work Placement
12-month voluntary work placements starting at any point in the year.
This is your opportunity to gain invaluable work experience with one of the UK’s newest and developing zoos. Fife Zoo is part of European Breeding Programmes and manages a range
of conservation and native wildlife projects including having wild red squirrels on the zoo site.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll be part of the animal keeping teams and will work with our diverse collection of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
You will:
Receive on-the-job experience in the husbandry of all the species in the zoo with
hands-on animal care.
Assist with our native species surveys, monitoring and wildlife research work.
Assist with our conservation education work such as meet and greet sessions, tours
and engagement activities.
Attend monthly training workshops led by international animal welfare, veterinary and
conservation specialists.
This role may provide the opportunity to combine your work placement with a
‘sandwich year’ at university depending on your university’s terms and requirements.
We can also support and provide time for dissertation projects and research (a range
of projects determined by Fife Zoo will be offered)
The work placement
Voluntary work placement for a period of 12 months commencing throughout the year dependent on mutual agreement.
We only have 4 placements so you will have close support and unique opportunities.
Comprehensive practical training covering a wide range of subjects, aiming to promote your future employability in the zoo community.
We expect full time hours, working 5 days out of 7 on a rota including some weekends, working 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Our requirements
Studying for, or have completed, an animal or environmental related course at HND, FdSc or Degree level
Interest in all aspects of animal husbandry and the work of Fife Zoo
Ability to work as an individual or as part of a team with excellent communication skills
Ability to financially support yourself for the entire length of the work placement, however a stipend may be available upon a successful application.
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
These roles can be flexible so please apply and discuss with us.
To apply please send a letter of application and CV to Matt@fifezoo.co.uk