Purpose of the role

Engagement Officers are vital to the visitor experience, they play a hands-on role in delivering the daily schedule of talks and activities, hosting seasonal events, and ensuring visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience in our walkthrough animal habitats.  Every interaction is an opportunity to inspire, educate, and bring people closer to wildlife.

 Key Responsibilities: 
  • Deliver the daily programme of talks and activities, ensuring they are informative, engaging, and aligned with ZSL’s mission.
  • Act as a passionate ambassador for ZSL, warmly welcoming visitors and creating a safe, engaging, and inspiring environment that encourages them to support a world where wildlife thrives.
  • Prioritise the health, safety, and welfare of both visitors and animals, responding calmly and effectively to emergencies and sensitive situations.
  • Stay informed about ZSL’s latest initiatives and conservation efforts, using this knowledge to foster meaningful conversations that connect visitors with wildlife and ZSL’s global conservation work.

About You

  • A confident and dynamic public speaker, able to deliver engaging talks and activities to groups of all sizes.
  • Proven ability to provide exceptional customer service, ensuring a positive and memorable visitor experience.
  • Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, building strong connections with visitors and colleagues.
  • Genuine passion for zoos, conservation, and environmental sustainability, inspiring others to care about wildlife.
 
This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK and a DBS check.
 

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.  

About Us

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  
  • 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  
  • Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages  
NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.

What our team say...

Other jobs like this

Careers Site Advertising End Date
18 Mar 2025
All Locations
London Zoo
All Departments
Events and hospitality
Advertising Salary
£13.15 per hour
Vacancy Type
Seasonal
On-site
Seasonal Opportunities
Contract length
6 months
Careers Site Advertising End Date
26 Mar 2025
All Locations
Whipsnade Zoo
All Departments
Communications
Advertising Salary
£12.00 per hour
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Contract length
5 months
Careers Site Advertising End Date
24 Mar 2025
All Locations
Head Office (Regents Park)
All Departments
People
Advertising Salary
£28,140 per annum
Vacancy Type
Permanent
Hybrid
Enabling Functions and Professional Services
Careers Site Advertising End Date
19 Mar 2025
All Locations
Whipsnade Zoo
All Departments
Grounds, horticulture, and logistics
Advertising Salary
£23,490 per annum FTE
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Contract length
12 months
Careers Site Advertising End Date
16 Mar 2025
All Locations
London Zoo
All Departments
Grounds, horticulture, and logistics
Advertising Salary
£25,742 per annum (FTE)
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Contract length
6 months
Careers Site Advertising End Date
18 Mar 2025
All Locations
London Zoo
All Departments
Commercial operations (including retail and admissions)
Advertising Salary
£15.24 per hour
Vacancy Type
Seasonal
On-site
Seasonal Opportunities
Contract length
3 months
Careers Site Advertising End Date
18 Mar 2025
All Locations
Whipsnade Zoo
All Departments
Grounds, horticulture, and logistics
Advertising Salary
£23,490 per annum FTE
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Contract length
6 months