Job opportunities

Horticulturalist

We are a team of people who love and look after the most amazing zoo in Hertfordshire, along with the 500+ animals that call HZ home. We’re now looking for an experienced Horticulturalist to join our team in a dynamic, conservation-driven zoo environment. This is a hands-on role that covers a wide range of horticultural tasks, including lawn care, planting, pruning, covering the site's gardens and grounds, and enhancing both visitor experience and animal wellbeing.

This role is integral to ensuring that all planted and landscaped areas across the zoo are maintained to the highest standards. You will be responsible for assisting in a wide range of horticultural tasks, contributing to habitat projects, ensuring that planting schemes are followed, and that they are not only visually appealing but also appropriate for animal species.

The role will require you to work both independently and collaboratively, and you will engage with and support multiple departments, including the Animal Keepers, Maintenance, and Visitor Operations. A proactive, flexible, and hands-on approach is essential, and candidates must be happy with physical work and being outdoors in all weather conditions. 

Key Responsibilities:
Grounds Maintenance
•    Maintain all horticultural areas across the zoo, including lawns, formal gardens, themed planting zones, animal enclosures, pathways, and visitor-facing landscapes 
•    Carry out routine tasks such as planting, pruning, watering, mulching, soil preparation, and weed control 
•    Ensure high standards of presentation and safety 
Habitat Enrichment
•    Support planting schemes that encourage natural animal behaviours 
•    Select safe, sustainable plant species 
•    Enhancing animal habitats 
Machinery Operation
•    Safely operate and maintain a range of horticultural machinery and tools, including ride-on mowers, strimmers, hedge cutters, leaf blowers, and hand tools 
•    Carry out basic maintenance and follow Health & Safety procedures 
Seasonal & Project Work
•    Support in the implementation of seasonal planting displays and themed horticultural projects 
•    Contribute ideas to long-term horticultural development 
General Duties & Visitor Engagement
•    Support site upkeep (e.g. leaf clearance, weeding, mulching) 
•    Ensure all work areas, storage spaces, and equipment are kept clean, organised, and secure 
•    Support other departments when required, building interdepartmental relationships 
•    Work alongside and support departmental Volunteers
Health & Safety
•    Adhere to all Health & Safety policies, ensuring safe working practices at all times 
•    Report any hazards, issues, or maintenance needs promptly, offering constructive solutions where possible
•    Support sustainable horticultural practices

Requirements (Essential):
•    Experience in horticulture, landscaping, or grounds maintenance 
•    Good working knowledge of plants, seasonal care, and horticultural techniques 
•    Ability to use tools and machinery safely 
•    Experience using horticultural tools and machinery safely and effectively 
•    Good attention to detail and good teamwork skills
•    Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions 
•    Confident interacting with the public in a professional and friendly manner 
•    Full driving license and access to your own vehicle are essential as Hertfordshire Zoo is not accessible by public transport
•    In line with the requirements of the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996, all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK or must obtain permits to work in the UK prior to application (documented evidence of eligibility will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process)

Requirements (Desirable):
•    Experience working within a zoo, wildlife park, or visitor attraction environment
•    Knowledge of animal-safe planting and enrichment (e.g. Plant toxicity related to animal care)
•    An understanding of animal habitats and enrichment/browse through planting 
•    Relevant Horticultural qualifications (e.g. RHS or equivalent) 
•    Skills in Nursery work, Propagation, Seeding, Cuttings
•    Forklift Telehandler or other plant equipment license 

Job Details
•    Full-time, permanent position; average 37.5 hours per week worked 5 over 7 days, between the hours of 07.00-17.00 April-Sept and 07.00-16.00 Oct-March. Starting Salary £26,325-£27,300PA (£13.50-£14.00 per hour) depending on skills and experience
•    28 days holiday, plus Christmas Day off as standard (increasing to a maximum of 33 days as per length of service)
•    Access to Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme
•    Staff discounts and other benefits, including free access to UK and European zoos and collections, regular team gatherings and celebrations, and a company Conservation Award (giving team members the chance to travel together to one of our supported global conservation project partners)
•    Start Date ASAP