We have a fabulous opportunity for a number of Zoo Rangers to join our team and play a central role in the world-class experience that our visitors enjoy here at Chester Zoo.
This is a permanent, full-time (35 hour) opportunity.
The Role – Zoo Ranger
Within the Conservation Education & Engagement team, we are proud to develop and deliver material to engage our visitors with our plant and animal collection and our worldwide conservation work through a range of diverse, fun, and exciting educational experiences.
As a Zoo Ranger you will:
1. Interact with visitors of all ages including children, families, and other audiences.
2. Interact with audiences that vary between one individual and a crowd of 500.
3. Be expected to deliver across a wide range of mediums including talks, table-top activities, play-based activities, and storytelling.
4. Deliver engagement in fun, novel ways such as mascots, puppets, and roleplay.
5. Deliver our range of Junior programme activities for a variety of ages.
6. Manage our 2 animal walkthroughs (Fruit Bat Forest and Lemur walkthrough).
What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?
As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development.
The Package
* Permanent contract
* 35 hours a week, working on a 2-week roster working every other weekend. General hours of working will be between 8:30 am – 5 pm. Some early morning, evening, and weekend working will be required as part of working hours.
* Generous annual leave entitlement (33 days including bank holidays based on 40 hours, to be pro-rated)
* Salary of £21,970.51 including our January 2025 pay award
* Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off plus a number of complimentary tickets for your family and friends
* Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
* Discounted gym membership
* Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops, and more via Perks
* Pension scheme with generous employer contribution
Our Requirements – Zoo Ranger
1. A wide-ranging knowledge of the natural world
2. A creative mind, and ability to develop and deliver engaging, high-quality public engagement opportunities for our visitors
3. The ability to confidently deliver stories, shows, games, and other playful, interactive engagement styles
4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact with a wide range of audiences in a playful and engaging manner
5. A good working knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office packages, as well as iPads and apps
6. Good organisational and time management skills
7. The ability to work effectively under their own initiative and as part of a team with a positive attitude
8. Excellent customer service skills
Although not essential, the following would be desirable:
1. Experience of working in a childcare setting or a childcare qualification
2. A good working knowledge and experience of zoo conservation education, including research
3. A good knowledge of our animal collection and conservation work
4. A degree or qualification in a relevant field e.g. biology, education etc.
Due to the nature of the organisation and the role, this post is subject to a DBS check.
More About Us
We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 20,000 incredible animals. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most. We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.
To Apply
Please submit your CV along with a covering letter providing answers to the following questions:
1. What are your motivations for applying for the role and what relevant skills and experience would you bring to the position?
2. Can you please tell us what good customer service means to you and give an example of when you’ve delivered it?
3. Can you tell us about a time when you’ve used your creative skills?
4. Can you commit to the working hours advertised?
5. Would you like for your application to also be considered for our current part-time Zoo Ranger vacancies?
Important – Part-time Zoo Ranger vacancies: We are currently recruiting for a number of part-time, permanent vacancies of 14 hour or 21 hour contracts. If you would like to be considered for these positions too, please specify this within your cover letter – you do not need to submit applications for both posts.
Closing date for applications is 5th January 2025
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