Apprentice Keeper

Overview

If you are passionate about animals and eager to kick-start an incredible career in animal care, we are excited to offer five Keeper and Aquarist Apprentice positions within our Animal Operations Department at London Zoo. This is a unique two-year fixed-term apprenticeship, designed in collaboration with the Institute for Apprenticeships, BIAZA, and over 25 leading UK zoos, offering hands-on experience like no other.

The apprenticeship is designed to combine practical, on-the-job learning with structured training, with a minimum of 20% off-the-job learning, supporting you to achieve your formal apprenticeship qualification. By the end of the 24-month programme, you will have a comprehensive foundation in animal husbandry, aquatics, and conservation practices, setting you on the path to a rewarding career with ZSL or in the wider zoo and wildlife sector.

Join us, and turn your passion for animals into a career that makes a real difference!

The position is located at London Zoo, working hours are an average 37.5 per week worked within an annual rota, which includes bank holidays and weekends.

• Animal Care and Handling:
  Working with a range of animal’s species
• Diet Preparation and Feeding:
  Preparing of approved diets and carrying out the correct feeding procedures.
• Exhibit and Facility Maintenance:
  Cleaning and maintaining exhibits and other designated areas.
• Record Keeping and Observation:
  Assisting with record keeping via a Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), including personal relevant observations of animal behaviour, health, and welfare.
• Veterinary and Training Support:
  Assisting keepers, and other colleagues, with veterinary, training, and other relevant animal related procedures.
• Visitor Engagement:
  Supporting positive visitor experiences by good customer service and professional visitor engagement.
• Apprenticeship Assessment:
  Preparing a portfolio to support the End Point Assessment for the apprenticeship scheme.
• Commitment to Learning:
  To be committed to and complete all aspects of training related to the job and apprenticeship.

• Level 2 English and Maths or a commitment to attain them.
• Good attention to detail and the ability to follow strict protocols.
• Strong communication skills, teamwork, and experience of dealing with the public are essential.
• Enjoys working as part of a supportive team.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions, with a positive and flexible approach to physical, hands-on work.
• A full manual driving license is essential and must have been held for at least 1 year.

This apprenticeship is designed for those building new competence in zoo animal care/management. If you already have substantial paid zoo experience (2+ years) or higher‑level qualifications in the same occupational area that would duplicate apprenticeship training, you may not be suitable for this entry‑level route.

Please note:

Interviews will be held the week commencing 9th February 2026. This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

• Purpose driven work - join an organisation where every role contributes to creating a world where wildlife thrives.
• Pension scheme
  -we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension.
• Flexible working - talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you.
• Holidays - 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays (increasing with milestone anniversaries).
• Access to ZSL’s staff Equality Networks
  -Race & Culture, Team Pride,…