Living Collection Keeper

About The Role

Join the team caring for WWT Castle Espie's living collection and wetlands. This hands-on role supports the day-to-day management of our birds, habitats and visitor areas, helping ensure the highest standards of animal welfare, biosecurity and site maintenance. Working closely with the Acting Grounds & Facilities Manager, you’ll help feed and monitor birds, maintain habitats and enclosures and assist with vegetation and grounds management. You’ll also help supervise volunteers and students, playing an important role in building skills and engagement with conservation.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about wildlife and practical conservation. You’ll gain experience in animal care, habitat management and visitor site operations while contributing directly to the wellbeing of WWT’s living collection and the quality of the visitor experience.

By helping care for our birds and wetlands every day, you’ll play a vital role in bringing wetlands to life for visitors and supporting WWT’s mission to restore wetlands and unlock their power for wildlife and people.

Working Hours

This is a 6 month, fixed term contract working 37.5 hours per week.

The working pattern will vary in line with operational requirements and will include weekends, public holidays on a rota basis.

About You

To join as a Living Collection Keeper you'll need:

• Practical experience in animal care, wildlife management or grounds/habitat management, ideally within a zoo, conservation or countryside setting.
• Good understanding of animal welfare, hygiene and biosecurity standards, with the ability to maintain high standards in daily husbandry.
• Ability to carry out physically demanding outdoor work including feeding, cleaning, vegetation management and site maintenance in all weather conditions.
• Strong observation skills with the ability to monitor animal behaviour, health and welfare and maintain accurate records.
• A proactive and reliable team player who can also work independently and use initiative to complete tasks safely and effectively.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage positively with visitors, volunteers and colleagues.
• Willingness to support the supervision of volunteers and work experience students.
• Full UK driving license is desirable as travel to other sites may be needed. There is also no direct public transport routes to the WWT Castle Espie site.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

Registered Charity Number England & Wales, no 1030884 and Scotland, no SC039410