Job Description

Applications only accepted through the Askham Bryan College website.

https://ce0761li.webitrent.com/ce0761li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=5038431NZL

Job Title: Animal Keeper

Location: York

Contract Type: Part-time - 14.8 hours (weekends), Permanent

Salary: SP17 23,815 per annum, pro rata

About Role:

Askham Bryan College is a specialist land-based college situated in York. We have a brilliant BIAZA zoological facility which opens to guests on weekends and school holidays. During the week we are open for school visits and Wildlife programmes.

This brand-new role is based within the Zoo team and will focus on all aspects of animal husbandry, with welfare at its forefront - the ideal candidate will be adaptable to work with a variety of species and be responsible for the daily care of several taxa. The ideal candidate will have a keen focus on birds, as we house an array of exotic species and birds of prey. However, this candidate will also be responsible for mammals and will work with both cohesively.

We are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic candidate with a passion for wildlife. The ideal candidate will be willing to develop themselves, contribute ideas, be able to work alone and as a team.

The ideal candidate will have excellent public engagement skills to facilitate keeper talks to a wide variety of audiences. This role is a permanent two day a week (Weekend) contract but has the scope for further additional hours during busy periods such as school holidays and evenings.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate excellent customer service skills and have a passion for the natural world and animals, you will be able to follow instructions and have health and safety always in mind. This role also includes supervising work placement students.

Educated to Level 3 or above in a relevant subject, with a Level 2 Numeracy and Literacy qualification, in return you will receive a generous holiday allowance, ample free parking, canteen facilitates and a range of employee benefits.

For more information, please refer to the job description and personal specification.

Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

We offer a pleasant, safe and friendly environment to work within a wonderful, likeminded team. We encourage personal development across all areas within the Wildlife Park team.

Interviews:

tbc

Start Date:

The College operates 2 starter/induction days per month to welcome and onboard new members. These are usually the first Monday and third Wednesday of each month (unless there is a bank holiday).

About the College:

Askham Bryan College is a specialist land-based college based across the North of England with centres in York, Middlesbrough, Saltaire, Wakefield and Gateshead.

We offer a wide-ranging curriculum to our Further Education students, including Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Management, Countryside and the Environment, Engineering, Equine, Floristry, Motorsport, Outdoor Adventure Sport, Sports Development, Coaching and Fitness, Uniformed Public Services and Veterinary Nursing.

Benefits of working with Askham Bryan College:

On-site facilities including a fully functional farm, equine centre, wildlife park and VR suite

Beautiful grounds for outdoor learning, meetings and well-being walks

Teacher pension scheme with generous employer contributions

35 days annual leave, plus 8 days bank holiday pro rata, plus Christmas shut down

Options for flexible working arrangements (role dependent)

On-site catering including a canteen and shop

Highly discounted gym membership at the on-site gym

Free car parking and cycle to work scheme

Excellent career development opportunities via our on-site L&D Partner

Continuous support from our Recruitment and Employee Lifecycle Partner

Enhanced sick pay and compassionate leave scheme

Enhanced maternity/adoption pay

Safeguarding Statement

The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, volunteers and partners to share this commitment. The Governors and Staff at Askham Bryan College regard each learner as a unique individual and therefore seek to support learner development in ways, which will foster security, confidence and independence. We recognise that high self-esteem, peer support, a secure College environment and clear lines of communication with trusted adults helps all young people and adults particularly those at risk or suffering abuse. These are regarded as central to the wellbeing of the individual and are therefore seen to be an intrinsic part of all aspects of the curriculum and ethos.

Specific measures relating to pre-employment checks:

We may undertake online searches on internet activity as part of our pre-recruitment checks. We ask applicants for details of any convictions and cautions, regardless of whether these have been deemed as "spent". It is a condition of employment that applicants provide these details. We undertake Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks for prospective employees. Please note that it is an offence to apply for a regulated role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity involving children or vulnerable adults.
Note on "regulated activity": You are engaging in a regulated activity if you:

Will be responsible, on a regular basis in a school or college, for teaching, training instructing, caring for or supervising children or vulnerable adults; Will be working on a regular basis in a specified establishment, such as a school, or in connection with the purposes of the establishment, where the work gives opportunity for contact with children or vulnerable adults; or Engage in intimate or personal care or healthcare or any overnight activity, even if this happens only once
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 23,815.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Free parking
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 29/10/2025
Reference ID: NR138