Job opportunities

Zoo Horticulturalist

Purpose of the role:

Whipsnade Zoo has an exciting opportunity for a new full time permanent Zoo Horticulturalist to join the team. The Horticulture team manages the zoos 600 acre site as well as surrounding green spaces, the site is diverse with many areas of visitor accessible parkland as well as restricted access regenerative spaces including the sites designated SSSI chalk grassland. The site is rich in biodiversity and the horticulture team strives to ever improve this through the advancement of zoo horticulture and land-based management on site. We are searching for applicants with a drive and passion for biodiversity development with good knowledge or a passion to build on their knowledge of land-based management.

Key responsibilities:  

• Comply with current legislation and best practice guidance (e.g. health and safety, environmental, wildlife legislation).
• Comply with ZSL and departmental policies and procedures.
• Work toward achieving the organisation’s and department’s aims by carrying out tasks to agreed standards.
• Use facilities, tools, equipment and machinery responsibly and as instructed.
• Carry out and record daily, weekly and monthly planned preventative maintenance checks to specified standards.
• Use materials and substances as instructed by the Team Leader Horticulture.
• Actively support ZSL’s and the department’s efforts to protect the environment and operate sustainably.
• Ensure own safety and that of others.
• Maintain and develop amenity areas and exhibits to defined horticultural standards.
• Carry out horticultural tasks that support animal sections, optimising husbandry and welfare opportunities.
• Carry out horticultural tasks to optimise the site’s biodiversity value and function through appropriate habitat management.
• Participate in training and further learning (formal and informal) to comply with legislation and best practice, and to develop up to date skills and knowledge in zoo horticulture

About You:

• Full UK driving licence.
• The position requires practical experience of working in zoo horticulture, amenity horticulture, countryside management or a similar land-based sector.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Good knowledge of current horticultural, arboricultural and conservation management practices and techniques.
• Up to date knowledge of current health and safety legislation and best practice guidance.
• A good level of literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
• A qualification to at least Level 2 Diploma in horticulture (or equivalent), countryside management or similar land-based sector.
• Land-based accredited qualifications in the use of equipment and machinery (e.g. NPTC, LANTRA).
• Ability to attend training off-site if required.
• Ability to collaboratively work as part of the team and with colleagues across the organisation.
• Some tasks can be physically demanding and the job holder is expected to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Ability to work early mornings, evenings and weekends if required.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.