UK - Intern (Estuaries and Wetlands, C&P)

This is an amazing opportunity to join a busy impactful team working for the restoration and recovery of the Thames Estuary and tributaries through London.

There are two internships available, one will support the delivery of ZSL’s ‘Restoring the Thamescape’ project which aims to recover seagrass, native oyster, and saltmarsh habitat across the Greater Thames Estuary, and the other will support the delivery of our Thames European Eel Conservation and Outfall Safari projects. The post holders may also have the opportunity to support other aquatic habitat and species conservation projects within the Estuaries and Wetlands programme and will gain experience at a globally respected conservation organisation. The post holder will work closely with Project Officers and Project Managers in the Estuaries and Wetlands team to deliver the responsibilities and activities as noted within the Key Responsibilities section of this document, focusing predominately on coastal habitat fieldwork and eel survey work. 

Key responsibilities:  

• Support with fieldwork, including organisation of equipment
• Coordination of volunteers
• Updating and maintaining databases of survey results, ensuring accuracy of inputting
• Data analysis and report writing  
• Representing ZSL at meetings and events 
• Providing general support to other projects in the Estuaries and Wetlands Programme
  

• Some relevant experience in marine/aquatic sciences or similar subject matter.
• Previous experience of and willingness to carry out fieldwork.
• Competence in using MS office packages, specifically Excel and PowerPoint.
• The ability to manage and manipulate datasets.
• Both roles are predominately field based with projects on the River Thames and Thames Estuary, therefore proximity to London is essential.
• A full manual driving license is required for both roles and to be confident of driving through London and around south-east England.

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.  

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.  

What do we offer?  

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include: 

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct  
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you  
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays  
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme  
• Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day 
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops  
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle  
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work 
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages