Nestorbot
Social ServiceISCO 5164

Zoo section leader

A zoo section leader is a person who leads the keepers looking after one section of a zoo, and who is answerable both for the animals in it and for the team working with them.

Take the free testCheck yourself in a minute ↓AI risk: 14/100 (very low risk)

Check yourself in a minute: zoo section leader

Rate 5 of the 32 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

assess management of animals

control animal movement

assist in general veterinary medical procedures

organise zoological exhibitions

manage animal biosecurity

About zoo section leader

The daily work is still keeping. The section leader takes part in the husbandry and care of the animals in the section, assesses animal behaviour for the signs that something has changed, oversees feeding against each species' nutritional needs, and assists the vet with general veterinary procedures. Enclosures and equipment are maintained, and animal biosecurity is managed so that disease is not carried between enclosures or in from outside.

Longer-term decisions belong to this role as well. Working with colleagues, the section leader plans the husbandry of the section over years and the acquisition of species and exhibits for it. Animal welfare governs those choices, as it governs the daily ones.

The section leader also leads the keepers, manages the team, chairs the meetings where the section's work is settled and, depending on the size of the zoo and the section, may also allocate staff and draw up the budget. The post calls for hands-on experience with the species held, the judgement to read an animal before it shows obvious signs, and the authority to run a team doing physical work in fixed routines. Requirements are set by the employing zoo.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (32)

signs of animal illnesssigns of animal illnessPhysical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.animal nutritionanimal nutritionAspects of how different animal species are fed and provided water. Different types of animal food, the quality criteria for animal food and methods to feed and give water to animals.animal welfareanimal welfareUniversally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behav...applied zoologyapplied zoologyThe science of applying animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behaviour in a particular practical context.assess management of animalsassess management of animalsEvaluate the management of a wide range of animals including the care, welfare and housing environment of animals in a zoo, wildlife park, stable, farm or animal research facility.control animal movementcontrol animal movementDirect, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.assist in general veterinary medical proceduresassist in general veterinary medical proceduresAssist veterinarians by preparing both the animal and the equipment for medical procedures, and providing care and support to the animal undergoing a medical procedure.organise zoological exhibitionsorganise zoological exhibitionsOrganise zoological exhibitions and the display of live animals and zoological collections.lead a teamlead a teamLead, supervise and motivate a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and with the foreseen resources in mind.manage animal biosecuritymanage animal biosecurityPlan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working ...coordinate eventscoordinate eventsLead events by managing budget, logistics, event support, security, emergency plans and follow up.provide nutrition to animalsprovide nutrition to animalsProvide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.'.provide an enriching environment for animalsprovide an enriching environment for animalsProvide an enriching environment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, and including adjusting environmental conditions, delivering feeding and puzzle exercises, and implementing m...assess animal nutritionassess animal nutritionAssess the nutrition status of animals, diagnose dietary imbalances and prescribe correction.maintain equipmentmaintain equipmentRegularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.provide first aid to animalsprovide first aid to animalsAdminister emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians ...follow zoo safety precautionsfollow zoo safety precautionsFollow the zoo safety rules and regulations in order to ensure a safe working environment while working with the zoo animals, and to ensure the safety of zoo visitors.chair a meetingchair a meetingChairing a meeting for a group of people, in order to formulate plans and decisions that are carried out by the company.assess environment of animalsassess environment of animalsEvaluate the domain of the animal including the quantification of ventilation, space and living quarters and measure them against the "five freedoms": freedom from hunger or thirst, freedom from disco...manage teamworkmanage teamworkPlan the working schedule of a group of people in order to meet all time and quality requirements. Supervise, support and instruct members of a team. Provide feedback to teams and individuals on work ...maintain professional recordsmaintain professional recordsProduce and maintain records of work performed.maintain animal accommodation hygienicmaintain animal accommodation hygienicMake sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.fix meetingsfix meetingsFix and schedule professional appointments or meetings for clients or superiors.apply animal hygiene practicesapply animal hygiene practicesPlan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals,...care for juvenile animalscare for juvenile animalsAssess the needs of the offspring and juvenile animals. Take appropriate action without delay in case of problems with the health of the offspring or juvenile.manage a teammanage a teamEnsure clear and effective channels of communication across all departments within the organisation and support functions, both internally and externally ensuring that the team is aware of the standar...monitor the welfare of animalsmonitor the welfare of animalsMonitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of...assess animal behaviourassess animal behaviourObserve and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.'.administer drugs to facilitate breedingadminister drugs to facilitate breedingAdminister specific drugs for synchronisation of breeding cycles to animals in accordance with veterinary and owner instructions. This includes the safe use and storage of drugs and equipment and reco...manage zoo staffmanage zoo staffManage zoo staff, including zoo keeping staff at all levels and/or veterinarians and/or educators and/or horticulturalists.promote animal welfarepromote animal welfarePromote good practice and work with compassion to sustain and promote high standards of animal welfare at all times by adapting personal behaviour and managing environmental factors.administer treatment to animalsadminister treatment to animalsAdminister animal medical interventions, including the treatments performed, medicines used, and assessments of the state of health.'.
Optional (9) — show
manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.design training programmes for animalsdesign training programmes for animalsAssess the training needs of the animal and select appropriate methods and activities to meet training objectives.assist in transportation of animalsassist in transportation of animalsAssist with the transportation of animals, including the loading and unloading of animals, the preparation of the transport vehicle, and maintaining the wellbeing of the animal throughout the transpor...conduct ecological researchconduct ecological researchConduct ecological and biological research in a field, under controlled conditions and using scientific methods and equipment.manage the transportation of animalsmanage the transportation of animalsPlan and operate processes involved in the transportation of animals. This includes planning activities such as selecting the form of transportation, planning the route, and preparing documentation. I...train livestock and captive animalstrain livestock and captive animalsTrain animals to facilitate their routine husbandry, for treatment, and/or public demonstrations.speak about your work in publicspeak about your work in publicSpeak about your work to different kinds of audiences. Illustrate aspects depending on the audience and the occasion.breed reptilesbreed reptilesPrepare a suitable environment for reptile breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate terrariums for specific kinds of reptiles. Monitor the reptile's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. I...create safe working protocolscreate safe working protocolsCreate clear, accountable, safe working protocols according to recognised zoo guidelines.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

zookeeper24 shared essential skillsdog breeder13 shared essential skillsfur animals breeder13 shared essential skillshorse breeder13 shared essential skillspig breeder13 shared essential skillspoultry breeder13 shared essential skillssheep breeder13 shared essential skillsanimal care attendant12 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a zoo section leader do?

Zoo section leaders are responsible for managing and leading a team of zoo keepers. They will carry out daily care and management of animals as well as, in cooperation with colleagues, long term management and organisation of the species and exhibits in their section. They are also accountable for various aspects of staff management for the keepers in their section. Depending on the size of the zoo and animal section they may have additional responsibility for appointing staff and budgeting.

What skills does a zoo section leader need?

A zoo section leader needs 32 essential skills, including signs of animal illness, animal nutrition, animal welfare, applied zoology, assess management of animals.

Will AI replace zoo section leader jobs?

The AI disruption score for zoo section leader is 14/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: fix meetings, maintain professional records, manage budgets. Most resilient: control animal movement, train livestock and captive animals, care for juvenile animals.

Quick Facts

SectorSocial Service
ISCO GroupPersonal service workers
Essential Skills32

Is zoo section leader right for you?

Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.

Take the free test