Chester Zoo

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Behaviour Officer
Reference: JAN20171218
Expiry date: 2017-01-25 23:59:00.000
Location: Chester
Salary: £24,017 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension, Healthcare Cash Plan

BEHAVIOUR OFFICER
Full time - 1 x Permanent and 1 x Fixed Term

We are Chester Zoo, and for over 80 years we’ve been a leading conservation and education charity, and an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction.

We’re also a team of passionate, talented, enthusiastic and expert people, doing everything we can to keep the zoo going, from feeding the animals to discovering new conservation ideas, and giving our 1.9 million visitors an inspirational day out.

We work hard because we love animals, we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and we want to be the best zoo in the world!

If you think you can help us to achieve that, then we’d love to hear from you.

We currently have an exciting vacancy for a Behaviour Officer to contribute towards optimising the welfare of the Chester Zoo animal collection, through the support of an established applied animal behaviour and welfare programme.

The Role:

Working with the Behaviour and Welfare Scientist, the Behaviour Officer will provide effective and efficient support to the applied animal behaviour and welfare service and research programme ensuring timely advice based on scientific data and / or sound scientific knowledge which contribute towards optimising behaviour and welfare of animal collections and populations.

Additionally, they will provide professional support through student training and consultancy to the society and promote best practice in animal behaviour and welfare by participating in scientific conferences and professional associations.

Furthermore, the Behaviour Officer will progress our understanding of captive animal behaviour and welfare through targeted, collaborative research in line with the Society’s values and needs, to attract and gain the respect of national/international key partners and establish Chester Zoo as a centre of excellence for welfare, conservation breeding and animal care.

The ideal candidate will have:

  • A minimum of a PhD in an applied behaviour and/or welfare assessment field (or equivalent experience)
  • A strong commitment to animal health and well-being and conservation
  • Evidence of effective academic student supervision
  • Demonstrated ability to innovate, lead, resource and deliver projects on time and to a high standard
  • The ability to establish credibility, command respect and influence at all levels
  • The ability to present information clearly and concisely in verbal presentations and written communications, including scientific writing and media communications to stakeholders at all levels
  • Evidence of peer-reviewed publications
  • Proven ability to work in and contribute to a team environment
  • High proficiency with complex statistical analysis
  • Knowledge and experience of zoo-based research and zoo operations is desirable

Hours of work are 40 hours per week, worked Monday to Friday based at Chester Zoo.

The salary is £24,017.15 per annum and in addition we offer a range of amazing benefits which can be found at http://www.chesterzoo.org/footer/careers/working-at-chester-zoo.

To apply for this position, please provide your current CV and covering letter stating why you believe you should be considered for our Behaviour Officer role and whether you would like to be considered for the permanent, fixed-term or either position.

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 25th January 2017.