Job opportunities

Fixed Term Zoo Ranger

FIXED TERM ZOO RANGER – Numerous fixed term opportunities available to start in July until September/November

 A work setting like no other - patrolling among rare giraffes and tigers, and within stunning gardens across a 128-acre estate!

 The Role –Zoo Ranger

 This is a key role working as part of our Engagement Team and is central to our visitor’s experience at the zoo. The Zoo Ranger team engages our visitors with our plant and animal collections and our worldwide conservation work through a range of diverse, fun and exciting experiences.

 As a Zoo Ranger, you will:

•  Deliver content in a wide range of mediums including play-based activities, shows, storytelling, talks and table-top activities. 
• Interact with visitors of all ages including children, families, adult groups and other audiences.
• Be confident speaking to audiences of all sizes, from one individual to a crowd of 500 people.
• Manage our 2 animal walkthrough habitats (Fruit Bat Forest and Madagascar Lemur Walkthrough).
• Support our busy programme of children’s holiday clubs and activity clubs for ages 0-17
• Deliver our animal breakfasts, daytime and evening events such as corporate tours, weddings, scavenger hunts and birthday parties.

 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 nearly 500 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

•  Numerous fixed term opportunities available to start in July until September/November
• Minimum 18-hour contract, working regular weekend, evening and early morning hours as required. This will include Bank Holidays. Working hours are flexible across 7 days, rostered to support zoo opening hours and extra events. Flexibility is required and shift patterns will be confirmed 2 weeks in advance. Additional hours will be available during busy periods with the potential for full-time hours at peak times.
• 33 days annual leave pro rata
• Rate of pay £11.95 per hour
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off plus a number of complimentary tickets for your family and friends.
• Access to healthcare plan
• 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 contributions up to 9%

Our Requirements –Zoo Ranger

• Creativity – A dynamic and creative mind with the ability to deliver playful content including children’s games, show and storytelling.  
• Communication Skills: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage with a wide range of different audiences in a playful manner. 
• Group management – Excellent group management skills to ensure the smooth movement and management of large groups of people for corporate events, wedding tours, out of hours tours and experiences, children’s birthday parties and children’s activity clubs. 
• Experience working with children and young people in a childcare setting is beneficial.  
• IT skills: Skilled in the use of all key Microsoft packages. 
• Organisational skills: Excellent time management and planning skills. 
• Interpersonal skills: Ability to work effectively under own initiative and as part of a team, to work under pressure with positive attitude and to enthuse and engage others. Excellent customer service skills. 
• Subject knowledge: Knowledge of conservation, ecology and biology – including knowledge about the Zoo’s collection and conservation work is desirable. If you have not got subject knowledge, then we will provide the relevant information, so quick script learning is desirable and we will work through a signing off programme with you.  

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.

Due to the nature of the organisation and the role, this post is subject to a DBS check.

We will be interviewing via an assessment centre for this role on the 12th June

Closing date for applications is 4th June 2024.