Job Description
Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are our gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature.
You will perform all assigned duties to ensure the smooth running of the allocated animal section, ensuring high animal welfare standards support delivery of a programme of live animal interactive activities to engage and excite visitors in support of RZSS’ vision and mission.
Some of the things you’ll do:
- Help to ensure animal welfare, husbandry is of the highest standard
- Follows animal working procedures.
- Contribute to enclosure design, maintenance, enrichment and enclosure furnishing to ensure it meets animal needs
- Engage with and support visitors
- Collate and record detailed and accurate animal records via daily record sheets, directly onto ZIMS or using other relevant recording methods
- Support delivery of all aspects of an agreed Animal Engagement and Interaction Programme,
- Work with departments across RZSS, as appropriate to your level of responsibility
- Work with others to train the animals to cooperate in their own care / display natural behaviours to engage our visitors
What we are looking for:
Standard grade or equivalent qualifications (including English, Mathematics and Sciences)
Willingness to undertake further professional development meeting the requirements of the European Professional Zookeepers Qualification Framework (zookeepers.eu/framework/)
Competent in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
First-class customer service
Some practical experience in a zoo/animal-related environment
What you’ll get in return
- Salary of £24,804 to £25,329 (offer based on experience).
- 37.5 working week (may require some weekend working)
- 34 days annual leave (pro rata)
- Discount in retail/catering
- Access to healthcare plan
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Employer contributory pension scheme
- Staff membership - for you and family free/discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoos across the UK.
If this role excites you and aligns with your career aspirations, click APPLY now.
Interview date: 10 July 2026
This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK and PVG Check.
Please note that shortlisting of applications and interviews for this position will take place while the advert is live. The advert will close once a successful candidate has been found. Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications, as soon as possible.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce following the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010.