We are seeking an enthusiastic, and practical Conservation Breeding Officer (CBO) to join the Conservation Breeding Unit (CBU) at WWT Slimbridge. The CBO will focus on delivering care to birds in our conservation breeding project for the Black-tailed Godwit (BTG), a project aiming to bolster the UK wild breeding population of BTG through reinforcement and reintroduction. This CBO will also provide support to the developing Welsh and Severn Estuary White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Project and assist with the development of new conservation breeding projects for UK wetland species, including non‑avian taxa.
Based at WWT Slimbridge, the successful candidate will deliver high standards of biosecure animal and plant husbandry and associated record-keeping, and be hands-on in the creation, maintenance and management of conservation breeding infrastructure (such as aviaries, buildings and exclusion barriers), and small equipment (such as mowers and brush cutters, pond pumps and pond filters and hand-tools), working with external contractors where required. The role also includes managing vegetation (grass swards and small trees) within CBU’s biosecure areas.
Occasional travel to other WWT sites or UK field locations may be required.
About the job:
Working within a professional conservation breeding environment at WWT Slimbridge, you will deliver high‑quality animal and plant husbandry in line with established standards. Your role will include:
- Delivering exemplary daily husbandry for wetland species within conservation breeding projects, ensuring optimal welfare, health, breeding performance and environmental conditions.
- Preparing, operating and maintaining appropriate life-support and propagation facilities/environments including indoor and outdoor housing and managed habitats to meet species‑specific biological and/or behavioural needs.
- Monitoring health, behaviour and breeding activity, and maintaining accurate auditable husbandry and environmental records using both paper and digital systems.
- Implementing rigorous biosecurity and hygiene protocols consistent with our professional conservation breeding practices to protect animals, plants and staff.
- Supporting the design and delivery of new conservation breeding programmes, including those involving non‑avian taxa, with appropriate consideration of species ecology, life‑support systems and habitat requirements.