Zoologist

We invite zoologists to join the Ornithology and Terrarium Department (working with birds) for a fixed-term position Rīga ZOO's overall strategic goal is to maintain the only national zoological garden, educate the public about Latvian and world fauna and its protection, promote healthy lifestyles and tourism through quality leisure offerings, conduct research, and contribute to the preservation of rare and endangered species, while ensuring high welfare standards for animals in the zoological garden. This is an opportunity to work in a unique environment daily caring for diverse bird species, their welfare, and gaining valuable knowledge from experienced specialists while sharing your own knowledge and ideas. Your responsibilities will include: caring for the entrusted animal collection – daily care and welfare of birds (mostly parrots); assessing food quality and quantity, preparing it for feeding, supplementing with prescribed feed additives and vitamins, rationing food according to the species' prescribed feeding schedule. Varying and adjusting feed rations only with approval from the department head; maintaining order and cleanliness in animal aviaries, ensuring animals have an aesthetic and safe environment. Caring for the plant collection in aviaries; observing animal behavior, interactions, and feeding regimen, informing responsible staff of any changes; working with the ZIMS program developed and maintained by Species 360; developing animal environmental enrichment methods and changes, following the department head's instructions. We expect from you: interest in and understanding of bird keeping and care in captivity; knowledge of biology, zoology, or related fields; secondary specialized or higher education (in biology, veterinary medicine, etc.); experience in animal care and working with animals would be considered an advantage (internship during studies, animal observation, data collection, etc.; volunteer work with animals); high sense of responsibility, attentiveness, and ability to organize your work; ability to work in a team; Latvian language skills – Level B, Stage 2; good English language knowledge that enables communication in fulfilling job duties; good skills in working with MS Office programs. We offer: full-time employment with shift work schedule; collaboration with professionals in various fields and the opportunity to learn from international zoological garden experience; opportunities for professional development and competency enhancement; sustainable social support provision (health insurance and accident insurance after probation period, additional vacation days, financial support in significant life situations, and other collective agreement benefits); an inclusive work environment, as well as an open, collaboration-oriented team and company internal culture; salary during probation period 1300 EUR per month (gross), after probation period and completion of training 1500 EUR per month (gross). How to apply: if our values – professionalism, teamwork, development, transparency, and sustainability – resonate with you, send your CV to [email protected] with the subject line "Zoologist in the Ornithology and Terrarium Department (working with birds)" by August 31, 2026 (inclusive); candidates are asked to honestly assess their health status in a work environment with feed insects, elevated room temperature, and humid air conditions; we will contact candidates who are invited for an interview. If you do not receive an interview invitation within 3 weeks after the competition end date, please consider it as SIA "Rīgas meži" refusal. Personal data processing: for personnel selection purposes, SIA "Rīgas meži" processes candidates' personal data. Detailed information about candidate personal data processing and protection is available on the company website https://rigasmezi.lv/publiskojama-informacija/privatuma-pazinojums-arejiem-datu-subjektiem

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