Bristol Zoological Society, the conservation and education charity that runs and operates Bristol Zoo Project (previously Wild Place Project), higher education programmes and conservation projects across the world, is recruiting a Trainee Animal Keeper. This is an exciting opportunity to join the animal team at the Zoo.

If you would like the advert in an alternative format, or would like to talk about how we can adjust the interview process to best support you, please contact hr@bzsociety.org.uk

We are committed to employing from all areas of the community, we value equality and diversity across our workforce and aim to ensure our staff is reflective of the diversity of the community. In support of this commitment, we welcome applications from the Global Majority.

We are looking to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic Trainee Keeper with good animal husbandry knowledge and some experience of working in a zoo, aquarium, or with exotic animals or wildlife species to join our animal team. Experience with ectotherms is highly desired.

Duties will include all aspects of zoo animal keeping including:

Caring for the animals, cleaning their enclosures and preparing diets

Ensure that all animals and their enclosures are well-maintained at all times through working closely with the curator, senior keepers and the wider Society teams in order to achieve optimum welfare for the animals under care

Keeping records of animal care and observations, in order to ensure high standards of husbandry are maintained and communication across the team is excellent

Working as a team with other keepers collaboratively with motivation and focus on getting the job done.

If you are hard-working, love animals and keen to learn more about how a conservation zoo works to save species; have good communication skills and enjoy working in a collaborative environment, we would be very interested in hearing from you.

With a strategy in place to create a world-class Bristol Zoo with conservation and sustainability at its heart, the new Bristol Zoo Project offers spacious, modern facilities, significant growth in our conservation and education work, and an innovative and exciting visitor experience.

The role will help to realise our vision of saving wildlife together, and you will be involved in supporting our transformation programme – driving visitor numbers at Bristol Zoo Project as plans for the Zoo progress. We know that everyone here at the Society can help us work alongside our communities, look after the environment, and contribute to our inclusive culture.

As a Disability Confident Employer if you identify yourself as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 definition and can demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification, we will guarantee an interview.

Your work-life balance is important to us, and we’re happy to support flexible working – be that through your working pattern, or hybrid working for certain roles. We support a flexible approach to work, provided you connect with the rest of your team and are able to deliver the responsibilities of your role.

Benefits include:

30 days of annual leave (Pro-rated, inclusive of bank hols) increasing with length of service with an option to buy up to 5 days’ additional holiday

Access to our company pension scheme

Enhanced family leave – supporting you with the important milestones in your life with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay

Access to a range of resources to support your physical, mental and financial health, including access to our Employee Assistance Programme

Death in service benefit (x3 salary)

Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans supporting you to spread the cost of environmentally friendly transport options

Other flexible benefits including access to a health cash plan to help you with everyday healthcare costs

Access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of retailers to help make your money go further including gym discounts

Option for Lifestyle Break after one years’ service

Ongoing training and development opportunities, allowing you to reach your full potential

Free on-site car park

To apply for this role please sign into our recruitment portal and upload your CV and cover letter explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the person specification in the job description.

The closing date for applications is 10th November 2026. Interviews will be held on 19th/20th of November.

To assist your preparation if you are invited to an interview, we ask questions based on our behaviour competencies described in the job description and look for evidence of how you demonstrate these behaviours.

Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this opportunity.

Diversity Statement

Our vision for the Society to be an employer of choice, that is inclusive and attracts and retains the most talented people, who all work together to sustain our future. As such we welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our employee lifecycle processes, including recruitment, are designed to prevent discrimination against our people regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, disability status, race, or any other aspect which makes them unique.