Job opportunities

Volunteer Cover Keeper

Volunteer Keepers Wanted at Paradise Wildlife Park

Do you love animals? Are you happy working outdoors and getting mucky in all kinds of weather? Do you have a passion for conservation and are happy to talk to people about the importance of looking after our natural world? If the answer is yes, we may have a wonderful opportunity for you!

We are currently looking for volunteers to help our Keeper team look after our wonderful zoo and the 1000+ animals that call it home. Prior knowledge of the zoo or the animals we have onsite is not necessary, but you do need to be dedicated, enthusiastic and willing to learn.

Teamwork is vital to this role, punctuality and reliability are also important, as is adherence to security and health and safety procedures. You will be volunteering under the guidance of our Volunteer Coordinator and other zoo staff.

Volunteer Keeper Tasks:

·         General animal husbandry:

o   Cleaning & disinfecting enclosures (with and without animals in them)

o   Helping with fruit and vegetable deliveries

o   Preparing feeds & assisting with feeding animals

o   Enrichment provision

·         General site and enclosure maintenance:

o   Weeding, raking & sweeping

o   washing windows/railings & painting

o   rubbish disposal and keeping staff areas clean and tidy

·         General Customer Service:

o   manning walk-through animal exhibits

o   assisting with keeper talks and animal shows/displays

o   interacting with visitors in a friendly, informative and helpful manner

·         Maintain security and following health & safety rules and procedures

Why Volunteer at ZSH?

·         Excellent opportunity to build experience and get involved in conservation 

·         Join a supportive, professional and enthusiastic team of likeminded people

·         You will be provided with relevant training and given the opportunity to develop a range of skills within a zoo environment

·         A chance to volunteer in beautiful surroundings, alongside our amazing animals

What are we looking for?

·         People with a passion for animals and conservation

·         Individuals who are friendly, articulate, confident and at ease talking to visitors

·         Reliable, hardworking and can commit to regular attendance; 08.00-16.00 every Saturday and/or Sunday

·         People that demonstrate our core volunteer values: Enthusiasm, warmth, knowledge and flexibility

Requirements:

You must be over 18 (16 if you are enrolled on an animal-related course), able to commit to at least one weekend day a week and can make your own way to the zoo (as there is no public transport to the site).

We provide a full induction and training relevant to the role so can only consider long-term volunteers.

We will require two references from previous employers, educators or other suitably professional individuals.

* Before applying, please ensure you are happy with busy, physical, hands-on nature of the role. There may be times when you are spending large chunks of your day cleaning enclosures, not always with the animals present. Our volunteers do not usually help directly with our Primate or Large Carnivore sections.

Location: Onsite at Paradise Wildlife Park, White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, EN10 7QA