Location: Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7EU
Salary: National Minimum Wage
Application Deadline: Sunday, March 9, 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 southwest 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 General Botanics Assistant to join our Botanics team on a seasonal contract until September 2025. This is a full-time role working 38.75 hours over 5 days Monday to Friday, 7:30 till 16:30. The salary for this position is national minimum wage.
What will this role involve?
This is a hands-on gardening role. You will work alongside the permanent Gardens and estates teams under the direction of the Curator of Botanics and Botanics team leader. You will be maintaining the grounds and gardens of the zoo. You will work as a member of the Botanics Team to make the botanical collection and zoo grounds as attractive as possible, cultivating plants which form the landscape of the zoo and providing an educational and conservation resource.
As this is a seasonal role, much of your work will be weeding, watering, cutting grass, and trimming back plants to maintain the views. You will be working in a busy public environment, and you will be expected to work tidily and maintain a safe work and visitor environment at all times.
What skills and experience are required?
You will be competent in a range of craft gardening skills gained in a professional horticultural work environment and have experience using tools. You will have a conscientious approach to work with good attention to detail. Horticultural qualifications are 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 immediate family
* Discounts in our Catering and Retail outlets (as applicable)
* Free staff parking
* Employee Assistance Programme
Please note, we will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews throughout the advertising period for this role. The role may therefore be filled prior to the closing date.
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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