Deputy Team Leader - Reptile Section

Colchester Zoological Society

East Anglia. Closing date for applications is: 2nd Mar 2026.

Colchester Zoological Society (CZS) is home to over 150 species and is dedicated to supporting conservation projects around the globe. As an award-winning visitor attraction with over 1 million guests visiting each year, every staff member at the zoo works together to ensure that our guests have an enjoyable and unforgettable experience.

An exciting position has arisen for an experienced Deputy Team Leader to join our team and contribute to our mission at CZS in a full-time role working within our Reptile department; responsible for a range of reptile, amphibian, fish and invertebrate species.

The successful candidate will work within the Animal Department to carry out husbandry duties and maintain high standards of welfare for the animal species in their care. As a Deputy Team Leader, the candidate will be required to input ideas for the continual progression and development of animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section. The applicant will be expected to oversee the daily supervision of junior staff, student keepers and work experience, ensure safe working protocols and practices, have a good understanding of risk assessments and manage the section in the absence of the Team Leader.

We are looking for an individual who is highly motivated and hardworking, with a minimum of 7 years’ experience working in a zoological collection. Excellent customer service, communication and animal husbandry skills are essential, as is previous experience supervising staff and managing risk in a zoo environment.

Applicants should have the Diploma in the Management of Zoo Animals and Aquaria or an equivalent qualification and have a full valid driving licence.

This is a permanent position with a start date as soon as is possible. A personnel specification is available on the job description detailing essential requirements for the position.

BIAZA's office hours are 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Contact outside of those times will get a response when we are next in the office.

If your enquiry is urgent and you need a response before the BIAZA office reopens, please call Jo Judge on  If you wish to reach one of our members, please contact them directly.

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales number 6789783. Registered Office Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY
. Registered Charity Number is 1128168 and SC040783 (Scotland)

• Carry out husbandry duties and maintain high welfare standards for reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates in the section.
• Input ideas for continual progression in animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design.
• Oversee daily supervision of junior staff, student keepers and work experience participants.
• Ensure safe working protocols and practices; understand risk assessments.
• Manage the section in the absence of the Team Leader.

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in a zoological collection.
• Excellent customer service, communication and animal husbandry skills.
• Experience supervising staff and managing risk in a zoo environment.
• Diploma in the Management of Zoo Animals and Aquaria or an equivalent qualification.
• Full valid driving licence.