Seasonal Visitor Experience and Retail Assistant
Location: Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7EU
Salary: National Minimum Wage
Application Deadline: Monday, March 31, 2025
Job Summary:
Wild Planet Trust is a registered education, scientific and conservation charity established in 1957 and based in Devon, UK. We own two zoos in south west England, plus two local nature reserves and a National Nature Reserve. We support conservation in the United Kingdom and overseas using funds generated by the people who visit the zoos and the expertise and dedication of our staff.
Paignton Zoo first opened its doors as the Torbay Zoological Gardens in 1923. Over 100 years later, our site, and work, has grown considerably and we are now one of the South West’s largest conservation organisations and top visitor attractions. There are over 230 species of animal that call Paignton Zoo home. As well as being a zoo, we’re also an award-winning botanical garden with over 4,000 species on record.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Visitor Experience and Retail Assistant to join our team for our 2025 Summer until the end of October 2025 working a minimum of 10 hours a week. Working hours will vary over a 7-day rota, including weekends and bank holidays. The salary for this position is national minimum wage.
What will this role involve?
You will be responsible for the efficient and effective processing of tickets, entry to the zoo, visitors' purchases, and assisting in maintaining a high level of merchandise presentation. The role involves providing a warm and friendly welcome and answering visitors' queries as well as selling a range of gifts and souvenirs to our visitors, processing these through the till accurately. You will supervise our soft play area, ‘Jungle Fun’, which includes processing entry, maintaining health and safety standards, and equipment cleaning. You will also assist with stock replenishment to ensure correct stock levels throughout the day. The role will also involve capturing correct information for gift aid, school and group visits, as well as promoting our adoptions, experiences, and memberships.
What skills and experience are required?
The ideal candidates will have experience of working in a customer service environment or similar, as well as a basic knowledge of cash handling and using a till. You will need excellent verbal and communication skills and be able to work in a fast-paced environment. A team-oriented mindset is key, with a positive attitude and a willingness to work collaboratively with others. Experience of working in a retail provision would be desirable but not essential.
Benefits of joining our team include:
* 33 days paid holiday pro-rata (inclusive of Bank Holidays)
* Branded uniform provided (as required)
* Relevant internal and external training provided
* Free entry to our zoos for staff and your family
* Discounts in our Catering and Retail outlets (as applicable)
* Free staff parking
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Employee Discounts Platform
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.
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