Working for Monkey World

Veterinary Nurse/Hospital Manager

We are looking for an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse to take on the role of Veterinary Nurse/Hospital Manager at Monkey World. This is a full-time position, with over-time to be expected when required. We would also be happy to consider Veterinarians who are interested in wildlife/primate management.

Monkey World is fortunate to have a well-equipped veterinary hospital on-site with a surgical operating theatre, a comprehensive range of anaesthesia to suit the requirements of all the primates in the park and diagnostic facilities, including state of the art digital radiography and a laboratory. This permits us to investigate and treat a range of medical conditions should they arise, without the stress of having to move the patient to an external facility.

Apart from on scheduled procedure days (where a veterinarian is in attendance), you will be the only member of the veterinary team on-site and will be required to regularly liaise with off-site veterinarians to facilitate prescriptions and treatment of the park’s primates. You will also be working closely with our dedicated team of Primate Care Staff, under the direction of the park Director and Animal Director. As the sole member of our on-site veterinary team, you will be responsible for ensuring that the 250+ primates at the park receive the very best veterinary care as and when required, as well for the day-to-day smooth running of our on-site hospital.

Due to the number of different species at the park, and because the majority of our primates are rescued from poor circumstances, you will find this to be a varied and challenging role; no two days are ever the same. The ideal candidate will have a flexible, friendly attitude combined with dedication and commitment to providing the very highest standard of animal welfare and care.

Duties include:

• Meeting and consulting with the park Director, Animal Director, off-site vets and Primate Care Staff to discuss treatments, medication and any issues or concerns with regards to our rescued monkeys and apes.
• Daily rounds to check on primates receiving treatment, as well as assessing primates for any new injury/illnesses and discussing progress with Primate Care Staff.
• Liaising with off-site veterinarians to prescribe/arrange treatment for primates. Dispensing and delivering medication to animal houses, to include the recording of all dispensed medication.
• Examining in-house laboratory samples, such as faecal samples for parasitology (experience in microscopy/testing of faecal samples would be highly advantageous). As well as preparing and packaging laboratory samples for submission to external laboratories.
• Training Primate Care Staff to assist with faecal screening to cover your days off/holidays.
• Keeping accurate records of treatment/medication and progress of primates to include updating Tracks and paper hard copies. Including monitoring primate medical sheets, primate weights and entering them into Tracks system, reporting any concerns.
• Responsible for ordering of equipment, pharmaceuticals, and consumables, and ensure stock-taking procedures are well maintained. Ensuring the day to day running of the hospital, that equipment is maintained and serviced as required, and that the facilities are kept clean and tidy. Sorting donated hospital supplies and disposing of excess/unwanted stock.
• Assist and maintain anaesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures alongside the veterinarian. Carry out x-rays when required using on-site digital x-ray.
• Assisting primate care staff with annual Flu vaccinations.
• Joining in with Primate Care Staff husbandry routines, if there are days that it fits into your schedule, to have a better understanding of our rescued monkeys and apes as well as their husbandry routines.

Please Note: This is not a complete list; it is impossible to predict all eventualities and duties due to nature of our rescue and rehabilitation work.

You will have:

• An accredited Veterinary Nursing Certificate or degree and are a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).
• The ability to work individually, as well as part of a multidisciplinary team to facilitate the highest standards of veterinary care and animal welfare.
• Good organisational and time management skills, as well as effective communication skills.
• The ability to undertake basic laboratory procedures in-house, such as faecal sample examination.
• Experience with current anaesthetic and surgical techniques.
• A full driving license.
• Previous experience working with primates, zoo species or wildlife would be advantageous.

Further information:

Closing Date for this position is 31 March 2022, with a view to start in June 2022, to overlap with current Veterinary Nurse for training.

The Endangered Asian Species Trust (UK charity No. 1115350) is currently seeking a Manager/Veterinary Nurse to work in South Vietnam at the Dao Tien Endangered Primate Species Centre, on a two year placement (with extension possibilities).
Salary £15,000 – £20,000 per annum dependant on experience + benefits (free accommodation, meals, and one free return ticket per year included). 

Centre background
The Dao Tien Endangered Primate Species Centre was founded by Monkey World Ape-Rescue Centre (UK), Pingtung Rescue Centre (TW), and Cat Tien National Park (CTNP) with Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Approval. A new 5-year continuation was agreed in 2021 for the centre with a specific focus on endangered primate rescue, rehabilitation and release as well as piloting new education and community engagement programme.
Dao Tien is a SPECIALIST centre and cares for four genus of endangered primates naturally from South & Central Vietnam – crested gibbons (Nomascus gabriellae, annamensis & siki), douc langur (Pygathrix nigripes & cinerea), slow loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus & bengalensis) and silvered langur (Trachypithecus margarita). The centre supports the Vietnamese Government with rescue, rehabilitation and developing reintroduction techniques for healthy individuals.
The centre is run by the Endangered Asian Species Trust (EAST). It is an in-situ collaborative project, located on a 56 ha island on the edge of CTNP. The project has been established for 13 years. The project promotes high standards of animal welfare, scientific research, and conservation to protect endangered primates in Southern Vietnam. The project employs 11 Vietnamese staff (primate care staff, maintenance, education and field monitoring team) with the support of two Vietnamese local vets with distance consultation with the International Zoo Vet Group (IZVG) in the UK, & Pingtung Rescue Centre Veterinary team (TW). The international onsite team will include a manager/vet nurse, a full-time education officer and an animal care/education officer. The project premises consists of a small veterinary room including a steel operating table, gaseous anaesthesia, dispensary, microscope, and cold storage and autoclave facilities. Local human hospitals are used for radiography or orthopaedic procedures.
Dao Tien island is separate to the mainland and national park by a short river crossing. There is limited Wi-Fi and applicants must be comfortable with this isolated and challenging fieldwork and lifestyle.

Job Information

We are recruiting for an onsite manager/ veterinary nurse, based on the island of Dao Tien in Vietnam. This post offers a fantastic opportunity to work with in-situ conservation on the front-line.

Veterinary Responsibilities

• Providing veterinary care for rescued primates, working alongside Vietnamese vet and in consultation with international vet specialists.
• In addition to following standardised protocols, the applicant must work alongside our highly knowledgeable Vietnamese primate care staff with guidance from our Director based in the UK to develop new critical care, rehabilitation and release protocols for highly specialised primates such as black-shanked douc and slow loris.
• Observe the centres primates for signs of illness, injury or assessment of rehabilitation.
• Able to undertake basic veterinary nurse skills (under guidance).
• Monitoring diets and protocols (food quality, variety and hygiene).
• Maintain a veterinary/animal management database.

Animal Management Responsibilities

• Supporting and training our Vietnamese primate care team in daily husbandry.
• Maintaining appropriate environmental and behavioural enrichment.
• Supervising cage infrastructure maintenance/development.
• Identify the need for the repair or replacement of facilities and equipment.
• Supervising maintenance of solar panel electric fences for semi-forested gibbon enclosures (2-20ha).
• Supporting the Vietnamese Forestry Protection Department (FPD) on rescues, with animal handling and intensive care procedures.

Administration & Capacity Building Responsibilities 

• Ongoing capacity building with our Vietnamese team and supervising individuals from Government approved centres for specialist training. 
• The manager will work closely with our head Vietnamese keeper and Director ensuring staffing rotas are complete.
• Supervising International volunteers and researchers. In particular guiding the work of animal and education volunteers. 
• Maintaining animal/financial and eco-tourism records and reports.
• Reporting to Vietnamese and UK Director on a weekly basis.
• Overseeing monthly budgets.
• Supporting out education team in conducting guided educational tours in English on Dao Tien and to schools. 
• Representing Dao Tien at media interviews, internal and external meetings.

Qualifications

• Candidates will ideally have a valid Veterinary Nurse (RCVS) certification, a higher education qualification in a zoological related science, and/or experience working with primates.
• Excellent communication skills are required – both verbal and written English with a willingness to learn basic Vietnamese.
• Applicants must be prepared to work flexible hours, dependent on rescue centre needs.
• Leadership skills with the ability to build strong working relationships across teams.
• Project management skills are needed to prioritise projects and time management for the Dao Tien team.
• The successful applicant needs to be physically and mentally fit with required zoonotic vaccinations.

Salary will vary based on experience and length of contract (£15,000 – £20,000 per annum). In addition to the agreed salary, basic food and accommodation will be provided on site at Dao Tien and one international flight per year will be paid for by EAST.

To apply for this position, please provide your current CV and a covering letter to marina@monkeyworld.org.

PLEASE, NO PHONE ENQUIRIES. Applicants are thanked in advance and advised that only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

Primate Care Staff

We are an evolving rescue and rehabilitation centre and we are continually improving the standards of husbandry and welfare for the primates in our care. As a result, we are excited to be expanding our Primate Care Team, to help us achieve even higher standards.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Carrying out and enforcing high standards of welfare and animal husbandry routines as set by section Leaders.
• Undertake & record animal observations accurately and effectively.
• Deliver high standards of visitor engagement in the form of keeper talks.
• Other supporting duties to enhance effective and efficient running of the park such as food ordering and organisation of animal care stores, etc.

 You will have:

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in an animal care role – ideally this will include working with primates.
• Enthusiasm, high standards and motivation.
• A desire to be a part of a close knit team.
• A positive outlook and excellent communication skills at all levels.
• A sound practical knowledge and skill set in animal husbandry.
• Strong observation skills.

Desirable:

• A relevant animal-related qualification
• Proven success or knowledge of operant conditioning.
• Full clean driving licence due to location
• Experience of public speaking
• Commitment to continued professional development.

Further information:

• The role is full time and includes weekend working as part of the current rolling roster system.
• Hours of work are 08:30 – 17:00 September to June 08:30 – 18:00 July and August
• Salary is paid monthly. 28 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays per annum
• Staff accommodation subject to availability.

Weekend Seasonal Guest Services Assistants

Seasonal Guest Services Assistants

Permanent Guest Services Assistants

Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre are looking for enthusiastic guests services assistants with a can do attitude, fantastic customer service within a customer facing role in a busy selection of departments. Guest services operate within the café, gift shop and entrance kiosks – candidates must be reliable, flexible and hardworking, ideally with experience in a customer facing role but not essential.

The role will include but not limited to:

• Entrance welcome and departure
• Cash handling and till operation
• Customer service
• Merchandising of stock and replenishment
• Food preparation and service
• Cleaning of tables, preparation and service areas
• Handling customer phone calls

There a number of roles available, from part-time seasonal positions, weekend roles, and the potential to become a permanent member of our team.