Zoo and Education Manager

Plantasia Tropical Zoo

This is an outstanding career opportunity with a market leader committed to providing a diverse and meaningful range of leisure and culture related activities for the local communities in which we serve.

The post holder will Manage the efficient and effective development and operation of the animal collection and educational offers, at Plantasia Tropical Zoo. They will focus on ensuring all Zoo Licence requirements are met, and high standards are maintained. The post holder will ensure there is a high standard of welfare at all times, to the husbandry of all animals within our Zoo collection. They will endeavour to provide a positive and progressive relationship with Educational Services, private hirers and members of the public, also, to ensure high standards of service and customer care for all users. The post holder will also manage and develop conservation projects, and link with partners to ensure goals are met.

The Opportunity
● To manage the staff and rotas for the Zoo & Education Officers, as well as students placements and volunteers.
● To ensure the health and safety of the animal collection, and ensure animal care and husbandry is compliant with the Zoo Licence Act.
● To lead the development of educational programmes, both structured and passive.
● To be responsible for the smooth operation of the mechanical plant, equipment checks, upkeep and monitoring of environmental systems related to the animal and
plant collection.
● To ensure that appropriate veterinary care and support for the animals is commissioned and managed
● To manage and deliver the education service for schools / further education and all user groups
● To undertake care of the animals taking responsibility for feeding, cleaning and record keeping as necessary
● To directly deliver workshops and educational groups talks as workloads demand
● To ensure there is a programme of Conservation works scheduled, that is relevant for the venue.
● In liaison with the Visitor Attraction Manager contribute to the marketing, PR and communication strategy for Plantasia Tropical Zoo
● To develop partnerships to foster innovation, support professional development with the intention of improving the quality of the offer and increase visitor numbers
● To be aware of all Health & Safety issues within Plantasia, to constantly implement and assess procedures, drawing attention to any useful practices.
● To undertake any other duties as may be required to assist in the running of Plantasia Tropical Zoo
● To undertake Duty Manager responsibilities for the venue, ensuring all departments are managed effectively.
The Parkwood Leisure Holdings Ltd Group are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers that are committed to inclusion and diversity.

The Person
● The post holder will hold an animal husbandry, zoological or education qualification.
● The post holder will demonstrate skills gained, over a minimum of two years, in managing zoo collections
● Demonstrate skills gained as a duty manager or shift manager in a visitor attraction, leisure or educational environment.
● The ability to work as part of a team and to manage and oversee others.
● A high degree of flexibility
● The ability to solve work problems logically and make decisions appropriate to a management position
● The ability to respond positively to change and to deal effectively with work pressures as they arise

What can Parkwood Leisure offer you?
● Competitive salary
● Generous annual leave
● Free gym membership for you and a nominated person
● Employee health cash plan
● Employee discount portal - discounts on travel bookings, high street vouchers, gift cards, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities and your day to day spending
● Cycle to Work scheme
● Pension Scheme
● Company sick pay
● Career progression
● Training and development
Parkwood Leisure is a well established business that is continuously growing. Successful applicants can look forward to joining a company that can offer career prospects and believes in investing in its people.

How to Apply
Please apply with a letter of application and CV to anthony.williams@parkwood-leisure.co.uk

Closing Date 31/03/2023

ZOO & EDUCATION MANAGER
PLANTASIA TROPICAL ZOO
BACKGROUND, COMPANY INFORMATION AND JOB DESCRIPTION

Parkwood Leisure
Parkwood Leisure is an established and successful provider of private and Local Authority managed services, including Plantasia Tropical Zoo.

Plantasia Tropical Zoo
Plantasia Tropical Zoo is an indoor Attraction, housing 40 species of animal, and located in the heart of Swansea, South West Wales. Since Feb 2019 we have invested over £1m to improve facilities, and the offering to our customers. Education and conservation form the heart of what we do, and this includes a thriving schools programme, which forms part of our annual visitor numbers of 100,000.

The job role
Primary Objectives for the role will be:
▪ To lead, manage, develop and extend the zoo collection and education programme ensuring it stays relevant to the curriculum and increases usage and visitor numbers.
▪ To lead and manage the staff team to deliver an exciting, innovative, quality visitor attraction service to increase usage and profitability within Plantasia.
▪ To secure and maintain zoo licence(s), relevant registration and accreditations required for the operation and growth of the centre
▪ As part of the management team to ensure the highest possible standards of Health & Safety & Customer Care
▪ As part of the management team to influence the overall development of the centre with particular focus on the animal collection, and the education programme

The education and zoo manager will focus day to day on the following tasks:
1. To manage the staff and rotas for the Zoo & Education Officers, as well as students placements and volunteers.
2. To ensure the health and safety of the animal collection, and ensure animal care and husbandry is compliant with the Zoo Licence Act.
3. To lead the development of educational programmes, both structured and passive.
4. To be responsible for the smooth operation of the mechanical plant, equipment checks, upkeep and monitoring of environmental systems related to the animal and plant collection.
5. To ensure that appropriate veterinary care and support for the animals is commissioned and managed
6. To manage and deliver the education service for schools / further education and all user groups
7. To undertake care of the animals taking responsibility for feeding, cleaning and record keeping as necessary
8. To directly deliver workshops and educational groups talks as workloads demand
9. To ensure there is a programme of Conservation works scheduled, that is relevant for the venue.
10. In liaison with the Visitor Attraction Manager contribute to the marketing, PR and communication strategy for Plantasia Tropical Zoo
11. To develop partnerships to foster innovation, support professional development with the intention of improving the quality of the offer and increase visitor numbers
12. To be aware of all Health & Safety issues within Plantasia, to constantly implement and assess procedures, drawing attention to any useful practices.
13. To undertake any other duties as may be required to assist in the running of Plantasia Tropical Zoo
14. To undertake Duty Manager responsibilities for the venue, ensuring all departments are managed effectively

THE CANDIDATE
Qualifications, Knowledge & Skills
● The post holder will hold an animal husbandry, zoological or education qualification.
● The post holder will demonstrate skills gained, over a minimum of two years, in managing zoo collections
● Demonstrate skills gained as a duty manager or shift manager in a visitor attraction, leisure or educational environment.
● The ability to work as part of a team and to manage and oversee others.
● A high degree of flexibility
● The ability to solve work problems logically and make decisions appropriate to a management position
● The ability to respond positively to change and to deal effectively with work pressures as they arise

Personal
● Confident, outgoing personality and the ability to communicate education professional, partner organisation, Swansea Council officers and members and visitors
● Good interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to all levels of staff and all kinds of customers and partners
● Good communication skills – both verbal and written

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
TITLE Education and Zoo Manager - Plantasia Parkwood Leisure
SALARY £28,000
REPORTING TO Visitor Attraction Manager, Plantasia
HOLIDAYS 21 Days Annual Holiday plus Statutory Holidays,
NOTICE PERIOD 1 Month

OTHER BENEFITS
● Competitive salary
● Generous annual leave
● Free gym membership for you and a nominated person
● Employee health cash plan
● Employee discount portal - discounts on travel bookings, high street vouchers, gift cards, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities and your day to day spending
● Cycle to Work scheme
● Pension Scheme
● Company sick pay
● Career progression
● Training and development