Zookeeper Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

Your tasks as a zookeeper would include:

• preparing food and feeding animals
• providing fresh bedding and water
• ordering feed and bedding
• cleaning out pens and cages
• checking for signs of distress, disease or injury in animals
• helping to care for sick animals under the direction of a vet
• checking enclosures, cages and barriers for signs of wear or damage
• answering visitors’ questions and sometimes giving talks or lectures
• monitoring accommodation conditions, such as temperature and humidity
• keeping daily healthcare records, normally on a computer.

You would usually work with one type of animal or in a particular section of the zoo.

Hours

As animals need to be looked after seven days a week, you will usually work on a shift system including weekends and bank holidays. Senior zookeepers may be on a call-out rota.

You could spend a lot of time outside in all weathers, depending on the type of animal.

Income

Salaries can start at around £16,000 a year. Senior zookeepers can earn from around £17,000 to over £20,000 a year.

Free or subsidised accommodation may be provided in some jobs.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You may not need any particular qualifications to start work in a zoo. However, some employers may expect you to have GCSEs (A-C) or similar qualifications, possibly including English and a science subject. You will need a driving licence for work in wildlife and safari parks.

Most employers will expect you to have experience of working with animals. Zoos usually have volunteer programmes, and you might be able to gain experience by getting involved in one of these. These programmes are very popular, so you may have to join a waiting list. Check with individual zoos and wildlife parks to find out about volunteering opportunities. See the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums website for contact details.

• British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)

You can find out about other opportunities for volunteering with animals on the Do-it website.

• do-it.org.uk

You may find it useful to complete a course in animal care or animal management before looking for work, although this is not essential. Courses include:

• BTEC Level 2 First Certificate/Diploma in Animal Care
• BTEC and NPTC Level 2 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Animal Care
• NPTC and ABC Award/Certificate/Diploma in Work-based Animal Care at levels 1 and 2.

You will need to check entry requirements with individual colleges.

You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. You will need to check which schemes are available in your area. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

Training and development

Once you start work as a zookeeper, you will receive practical on-the-job training.

If you do not already have a relevant qualification, most employers will expect you to complete a qualification such as:

• NPTC or ABC Award/Certificate/Diploma in Work-based Animal Care at levels 1 to 3
• BTEC Awards, Certificates and Diplomas in animal management at level 3
• NPTC Advanced National Diploma in Animal Management at level 3.

You could also develop your career by completing courses such as:

• Foundation Degree in Zoo Resource Management at Sparsholt College – two years part-time block release
• Foundation Degree in Zoo Management at Reaseheath College – full-time or part-time
• foundation degrees and degrees in animal management at other colleges and universities.

Check with the colleges for details.

• Sparsholt College
• Reaseheath College

To search for foundation degree and degree courses, see the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.

• Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

Once you have a degree you could develop your knowledge further by taking a postgraduate qualification, such as a Masters in zoology.

Skills and knowledge

To become a zookeeper, you will need to have:

• a strong interest in looking after animals
• confidence and patience when working with animals
• good observation skills
• awareness of health and safety
• stamina and physical fitness
• good 'people' skills for working with the public.

More information

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
www.biaza.org.uk

Lantra
Lantra House
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007
www.lantra.co.uk

Association of British Wild Animal Keepers (ABWAK)
www.abwak.co.uk

Opportunities

There are usually a lot of applications for vacancies, but you may be able to join a waiting list if employers think that you are a suitable applicant.

In larger zoos, you may be able to progress from keeper to head keeper. With a lot of experience and/or a degree you could become a curator. There are usually fewer opportunities for promotion in smaller zoos, so you may need to move to another zoo to get a job with more responsibility.

You may find the following links useful for vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):

• Animal Jobs Direct
• British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums – jobs page
• Association of British Wild Animal Keepers

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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