12-Month Animal Husbandry Placement

Colchester Zoological Society

East

Job Description

Colchester Zoological Society (CZS) is home to over 150 species and through visitor funds, we promote care for the environment through education and leading by example. We also work at increasing public understanding of welfare and conservation, whilst actively working to provide the best possible care for our animals. We are continually developing our role as a centre for research and support in situ and ex situ conservation programmes alongside being active members of BIAZA and EAZA.

At CZS, we understand the importance of having the opportunity to gain real-world work experience and aid career building. Our 12-month work experience placements are open to people who want to build on previous animal experience and theory, or those who want to do a sandwich year as part of their degree.

About The Placements

Animal Husbandry placements are based on one animal section and due to the nature of the Zoo’s layout, animal sections cover multiple taxa. Some sections have a focus on one particular group of animals such as primates or reptiles, with the addition of other species under their care.

Expected Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures
• Providing enrichment
• Preparing animal diets
• Participation in animal training
• Delivering public talks.

The 12-month placement also has a formal learning programme to allow you to expand your knowledge and gain insight to aid in building practical wisdom, as well as developing professional skills.

Topics introduced include

• Nutrition
• Welfare
• Ethics
• Enclosure Design
• Business
• And many more.

Additional Information

All of our work-based learning placements follow zoo operational hours of 40 hours per week, with placements taking place for 5 days out of 7 on a rotational basis, including weekends.

All our placements are unpaid voluntary roles, and no accommodation is provided.

If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Placements are only granted following application and a successful selection assessment.

The group selection assessment days will take place on the 9th and 10th of May. Invited applicants will attend one group selection assessment; after which, successful applicants will be invited to the trial days, which will take place between the 16th of May and the 12th of June 2026.