Gardener
Welsh Mountain Zoo - National Zoological Society of Wales
Wales Closing date for applications is: 19th Mar 2026| Contact: | Georgia Hughes - HR Manager at Welsh Mountain Zoo ([email protected]) |
| Sector: | Horticulture |
| Type: | Paid |
| Contract type: | Full-time |
| Salary: | £25,752 |
Gardener
Welsh Mountain Zoo – Colwyn Bay
Full-time | £25,752 per annum
40 hours per week
About the Welsh Mountain Zoo
The Welsh Mountain Zoo – National Zoo of Wales – is home to a diverse collection of species and stunning horticultural landscapes. Our mission is to bring conservation to life, and our horticulture team plays a vital role in creating naturalistic habitats, beautiful visitor spaces, and sustainable environments across our 37-acre site.
We are now seeking a skilled and motivated Gardener to join our team.
About the Role
As a Gardener, you will help create and maintain the Zoo’s habitats, gardens, woodlands and public areas, ensuring they are safe, attractive and environmentally sustainable for animals, visitors, and staff. This is a hands‑on, varied role working across all horticultural areas of the Zoo.
Key Responsibilities
- Propagation, planting, pruning, weeding, watering, feeding, composting, and greenhouse work.
- Grass cutting, hedge trimming, edging, and use of hand tools and powered machinery.
- Monitoring plant health and applying Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.
- Woodland maintenance, including tree inspection and safety checks.
- Implementing eco‑friendly practices such as native planting, efficient watering, and composting.
- Receiving and safely storing horticultural deliveries.
- Providing helpful, professional support to visitors and assisting with guest queries.
- Following all health and safety procedures, COSHH requirements, and safe equipment use.
- Supporting and supervising volunteers where required.
What You’ll Bring
- Practical gardening and grounds maintenance skills, including propagation, planting, pruning and mowing.
- Good understanding of plant care, soil health, irrigation and pest management.
- Experience using horticultural tools and machinery; certification desirable.
- Familiarity with eco‑friendly horticultural practices.
- Ability to carry out physical, outdoor work in all weather conditions.
- Level 2 qualification in horticulture (or working towards).
- Full driving licence; tractor experience desirable.
- Confidence using basic IT systems for notes and record‑keeping.
- A positive attitude, good communication skills, and a commitment to excellent customer service.
Why Join Us?
As part of our team, you’ll help build and maintain the beautiful landscapes that make the Welsh Mountain Zoo a special place for visitors, animals, and future generations. Benefits include:
- Training and development opportunities
- Free family admission to the Zoo
- Free admission to other zoos
- Free uniform and staff parking
- Staff discounts in our restaurant, gift shop and sweet shop
- Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme
- Enhanced holiday scheme rising with service (up to 33 days*)
- Company sick pay* and pension scheme*
- 10% off Conwy Gym membership
- Buy and sell annual leave
(*Subject to qualifying service)
Apply for this job:
Please send your CV and a one‑page cover letter to [email protected], detailing why you’d like to join our team and how you meet the criteria listed above.
Alternatively, apply via Indeed.
Closing date: 19th March 2026
