Description

Miss Jennifer R. Gant

13 Westfields, Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS25 4BF

Tel: 07988827566

E-mail: jennygant@msn.com

I am a highly motivated individual with a mature and experienced approach to any task I undertake, or situation I am presented with. I have excellent interaction skills and have a friendly and professional attitude making me approachable to people from all walks of life. I am extremely eager to further my knowledge, skills and experience of wildlife management and conservation. Raising awareness of the seriousness of worldwide species extinctions is a particular passion of mine and I am eager to pursue a career focused on mitigating such issues.

Education:

October 2011 – July 2014

Durham University – BSc Zoology (Honours): 2:1

·         Dissertation topics – research focused on the evolution of social behaviour in delphinid cetaceans and consistent individual differences in behaviour of grey seal mother-pup pairs

 

October 2009 – February 2010

Open University – Scientific Short Course

Life in the Oceans: Exploring our blue planet: Pass

 

September 2008 – June 2011

Hartlepool Sixth Form College- A levels

Photography (A*), Biology (A), Psychology (A), Chemistry (B), English Literature (B)

 

September 2003 – June 2008

St. Hild’s Church of England School – 12 GCSEs

A*- B including Maths (A*), English (A, A), and Science (A, A, A, A)

 

Work Experience:

November 2014 – December 2015

Animal Carer (Carnivore and Lemur sections) – South Lakes Safari Zoo

·         I most recently worked within a team of 3 Carnivore keepers responsible for the daily husbandry of a variety of mammal species including 5 species of big cat: African lion, Sumatran tiger, snow leopard, Sri Lankan leopard and jaguar. Other animals on this section included Andean condors, King vultures, black vultures, turkey vultures, giant otters, Arctic wolves, maned wolves, Lowland tapir and Colombian spider monkeys

·         I also worked within a team of 3 lemur keepers responsible for 7 lemur species, 3 tamarin species, squirrel monkeys, brown capuchins, bettongs and tortoises

·         Assisted in the development and upkeep of a positive reinforcement programme with all 5 species of big cat kept at the park to allow for the establishment of visitor animal experiences and improved medical checks

·         Directly involved with both internal and external animal transfers, including Sumatran tigers and lemurs

·         Involved in the planning and management aspects of the birth of two snow leopard cubs

·         Demonstrated a good working knowledge of implementing environmental enrichment for a variety of species

·         Regularly involved with the educational aspects of zoo management: giving daily public talks about the animals kept in the park and its in-situ conservation projects, alongside carrying out keeper for the day experiences and animal encounters with a variety of species including giraffe, lemur and penguin.

·         Demonstrated awareness and good practice of risk assessments, bio-security and safe working practices and at all times followed safety procedures and health and safety protocols.

 

June 2015 – July 2015

Research Assistant/Intern – Blue World Institute

·         Provided assistance conducting marine mammal research activities focused on bottlenose dolphins in the Adriatic Sea, Croatia, without monetary compensation.

·         Duties included driving the research vessel (small RIB), counting and taking photographs of dolphins for photo-Identification, and taking notes of dolphin behaviour, sea condition and geographic location in predefined forms.

·         Organised and analysed the collected data using programmes such as Microsoft Excel and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom in order to prepare the material for further use and fulfilling the goals set forth by the Statute.

·         Took part in preparing and designing educational material, with the aim of promoting conservation activities and research projects as well as the principles of sustainable use of resources and caring for the environment.

·         Actively communicated with the research coordinator to discuss the best ways of conducting the agreed assignments.

·         Demonstrated good practice of safety on board a vessel and adequate behaviour while at sea.

 

March 2012 – July 2014

Kitchen Staff – Josephine Butler College

·         I demonstrated excellent time management to ensure the kitchen ran in a hygienic and safe manner by following food hygiene regulations and using good initiative

·         Daily duties included; opening and closing the kitchen, preparing, cooking and serving food to customers, cleaning the kitchen, recording waste and temperature checks (fridges, food) and restocking the fridges

 

July 2009 – August 2011

Catering Colleague – ASDA

·         I worked independently and as a team member to increase profits and improve customer satisfaction according to current offers and company policies.

·         I provided first-class customer service in a fast-paced environment using excellent interpersonal skills and building good rapport with colleagues and customers alike.

·         Daily duties included; preparing, cooking and serving food to customers, cleaning the catering area, maintaining excellent presentation standards throughout the café and the store alike, and serving customers on the till and providing refunds.

 

Additional Information:

Technical Skills

·         Report writing and presentation production – proficient in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

·         Scientific research and analysis –  Experience using IBM SPSS Statistics and proficient in Microsoft Excel

·         Categorised photographs for the Adriatic Dolphin Project – Experience using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

·         Photographed dolphins for photo identification – Experience using DSLR cameras and equipment

·         Edited photographs and designed graphic content – Advanced in the use of Adobe Photoshop

·         Conducted laboratory experiments/practiced survey and identification techniques in the field – Experience using laboratory and field equipment

 

Achievements

·         Vote of Thanks (2013) Josephine Butler College Junior Common Room  – Awarded for ‘Consistent efforts for Publicity committee’

·         Eliahou Dangoor Scholarship (2011) Durham University – Awarded according to ‘merit and potential’

·         KS4 Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (2009) – Sponsored by the Yale Child Study Centre, USA

 

Hobbies and Interests:

I have a keen interest in graphic design and photography (particularly wildlife) and like to spend my spare time creatively.

I enjoy travelling and learning about new cultures and I hope to visit every continent in the future.

One of my favourite past times is seeing live-music with friends and family.

 

References supplied on request