Senior keeper- Birds, Invertebrates and Herptiles
Salary £ 29,914
Twycross Zoo
Vacancy listed 05/10/2026
Application deadline 02/11/2026
Details
Twycross Zoo is an award-winning conservation and science-led zoo in the heart of England. We are rapidly growing and welcoming over 700,000 people every year to our 100-acre site near Atherstone.

 

This is an exciting time to join us as we enter a period of significant investment and development in the animal species on site. Joining us now will provide the ideal opportunity to drive positive change and help shape the future of our conservation efforts across multiple taxa. 

 

The bird, invertebrate and herptile section has expanded and developed significantly across the last two years. In spring 2025 a dedicated facility for herptiles and invertebrates was created, to showcase these species to the public, but also provide infrastructure and space to manage them more effectively. Work is due to commence at the end of the year to renovate some older areas of the zoo and create four new aviaries, which will involve the import of new bird species of significant conservation value. The Global Conservation Centre, a £25 million facility will open in Spring 2026, and alongside the conservation and education facilities this building will provide, new animal enclosures will be created including multiple new reptile enclosures. 

 

It is due to this significant expansion, that this Senior keeper role has been advertised. This role will support the team in maintaining exceptionally high welfare standards alongside exciting development at the zoo.  

 

As part of our documented conservation strategy linked below, this expansion has clear focus on increasing the conservation value of the department across all taxa. Species choice is based on factors such as IUCN rating and EEP involvement to ensure we are prioritising our efforts in the most useful ways for the zoological community. 24 of 44 species in this section are part of EEPs, and 22 are vulnerable or above on the IUCN rating.  This is a broad reaching department, with significant opportunity for development and tangible conservation impact in all directions. 

 


 
 The Role:
 
Reporting to the Curator of birds, invertebrates and herptiles, you will support them and the team in ensuring that all elements of animal and team management are carried out effectively and safely. We’d expect you to be a role model for the company values in all areas of your work, ensuring your colleagues feel empowered to consistently deliver outstanding results.

With supervisory responsibility for a keeping team, as a Senior keeper of birds, invertebrates and herptiles you will:
 

  • Support the Curator and Team leader in ensuring high standards of animal wellbeing and the presentation of all the zoo’s birds, herptiles and invertebrates.
  • Take a leading role in assessing our day-to-day operations, recommending areas for improvement to the Curator and Team leader.
  • Help to embed a solution focussed approach to challenges whilst contributing towards a positive team culture and engagement. 
  • In the absence of the Curator or Team leader be the point of contact for the bird, invertebrate and herptile section across all departments in the zoo.
  • In the absence of the Curator or Team leader, take a leading role in the event of an animal emergency.
  • Although not essential, it would be desirable for this role to become a member of the firearms / recapture team.
  • Assist the Curator and Team leader in ensuring that the zoos policies, procedures and protocols are followed at all times. Take a leading role in the training of new, and existing keepers in all tasks within our remit.  
  • Assist the Curator and Team leader in ensuring all animal records are correct and recorded by the team to the required standard. Ensure they are communicated across the organisation as required. 
  • Be proactive in the support and facilitation of work from other departments, including zoo-based research, conservation education and animal services. Show initiative in the suggestion of beneficial zoo-based research for the relevant species. 
  • Work closely with other departments such as veterinary and maintenance, taking a proactive approach where animal health and welfare is affected. 
  • Support in the delivery of departmental projects to agreed deadlines. 
 

You’ll work 37.5 hours per week on average, 5 days out of 7 on a set pattern.

 
 Our Requirements:
 

  • Obtained at least a BSc (or equivalent experience) in an animal or conservation related subject. 
  • Achieved the DMZAA (or equivalent) qualification Desirable.
.                                                                                                                                                                                      .

  • While it would be advantageous to the candidate to have extensive experience in avian, herptile and invertebrate species, as a minimum it is expected for the candidate to have-
Either-

  • Extensive specialist knowledge of the modern practices for the keeping of a wide taxonomic range of herptiles and invertebrates. 
  • Significant experience in the modern practise for keeping of avian species. Desirable. 
Or-

  • Extensive specialist knowledge of the modern practices for the keeping of avian species. 
  • Significant experience in the modern practise for keeping of a wide variety of herptile and invertebrate species Desirable.
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  • Up to date best practice knowledge for species management and be highly motivated in the delivery of these high standards
  • Experience in the supervision of a team of staff or volunteers. Able to support a variety of people with a flexible and calm working style 
  • Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise work; producing high quality work in an efficient and timely manner 
  • IT competence in Microsoft Office and ZIMS
  • Flexibility in working times and duties is a key requirement.
  • Physically able to complete section work as required. 

 
 More About Us
 
Twycross Zoo is at the forefront of conservation, education and research. We have a strong commitment to our award-winning education programme, aiming to increase the level of awareness, knowledge and understanding of visitors about our animals. We aim to inspire visitors to support biodiversity conservation in any way they can. 

 

Across the next year, construction will be completed on the Global Conservation Centre following a £20 million grant. This is a state-of-the-art facility opening in 2027 to house various endangered species across all taxa.

 

The Global Conservation Centre will support vital work around species conservation. It will bring together experts in conservation science and train the next generation of conservationists, whilst offering researchers from around the world the opportunity to study a great variety of endangered species, in naturalistic complex environments. The facilities will include a lecture theatre, classrooms, and laboratories alongside new animal habitats.

Benefits

Just some of the benefits include;
• 31 days annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service
• Life assurance, from day one of employment
• Company sick pay from day one of absence, after 6 months service
• Access to discount platform
• Staff membership card giving you free entry to the zoo on your days off
• Complimentary Twycross Zoo ticket allowance for friends and family
• Discount in the Twycross Zoo gift shop
• Discount in Twycross Zoo food and beverage outlets
• Monthly recognition award scheme
• Access to employee assistance services
• Free parking

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