Job opportunities

Job opportunities

Markus Wilder

Gardener

Welsh Mountain Zoo - National Zoological Society of Wales

Welsh Mountain Zoo - National Zoological Society of Wales

Wales Closing date for applications is: 31st Aug 2025
Contact: Chris Dinwoodie ([email protected])
Sector: Horticulture
Type: Paid
Contract type: Full-time
Salary: £25,752

We’re hiring a Gardener!
We’re on a mission to bring conservation to life here at the Welsh Mountain Zoo. As our new Gardener, you’ll help shape natural habitats, care for our woodlands and gardens, and take pride in creating seasonal displays for everyone to enjoy.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Carrying out propagation, greenhouse, planting, pruning, weeding, watering, feeding, composting, and grounds maintenance tasks
  • Checking plant health and using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to deal with issues
  • Cutting hedges, edges, and grass using hand tools and powered equipment
  • Maintaining our woodlands and inspecting trees for safety
  • Using eco-friendly practices such as efficient watering, composting, and planting native species
  • Receiving and safely storing horticultural deliveries
  • Providing polite, professional, and helpful service to guests
  • Handling guest queries and complaints calmly and effectively
  • Following health and safety policies, procedures, and risk assessments
  • Safely using tools, equipment, machinery, and substances in line with training and COSHH guidelines

What You’ll Bring

  • Practical grounds maintenance and gardening skills including propagation, planting, pruning, weeding, watering, feeding, composting, cutting, edging and strimming
  • A good understanding of plant care, soil health, irrigation, and pest control
  • Familiarity with eco-friendly practices (composting, water conservation, native planting)
  • Ability to use a range of horticultural tools and machinery (industry certification an advantage)
  • Good knowledge of plant husbandry and horticultural techniques
  • Experience of working with health and safety risk assessments and safe procedures
  • Ability to carry out a range of physical tasks (lifting, clearing, carrying) in all weather conditions
  • Level 2 qualification (or working towards) in horticulture
  • A clean driving licence and the ability to drive a tractor with trailer or cutting deck
  • Confidence with basic IT (for completing notes or e-learning training)
  • Commitment to delivering exceptional customer service
  • Ability to work as part of a close-knit team, as well as independently, showing initiative when required
  • Ability to supervise volunteers

Staff Benefits

As well as working with our wonderful animals and amazing team in one of the most beautiful visitor attractions in North Wales, you will also have access to:

  • Training and development opportunities
  • Free family admission to the Zoo
  • Free uniform
  • Free staff parking
  • Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme
  • Discounts in our restaurant, gift shop, and sweet shop
  • Holiday scheme which increases with service (up to 33 days*)
  • Company sick pay*
  • Pension scheme*

*After qualifying service

Join Us

If you have practical experience in gardening, a passion for plant care and conservation, and want to play a part in developing our Zoo for future generations to enjoy, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and help us bring conservation to life!

Apply for this job:

To apply, please send your CV and a one-page cover letter to Chris Dinwoodie Head of HR at: [email protected].

Your cover letter should explain why you’d like to join our team and how you meet the "What You’ll Bring" criteria listed above.

Closing date for applications: 31 August 2025