Browse Operative

This is an exciting opportunity to work with the amazing animals at London Zoo, one of the world’s most renowned zoological institutions. As you support the Browse Management Officer in harvesting and collecting fresh browse, you'll play a vital role in providing essential nutrition to a variety of species. Your efforts will directly contribute to the health, enrichment, and wellbeing of the animals, making a real difference in their daily care. 

Key responsibilities:  

• Harvest, Collect, and Distribute Browse: Support the gathering and delivery of fresh browse to various animal sections, ensuring a consistent and nutritious supply for the animals.
• Manage Browse Waste: Assist with the responsible disposal and management of spent browse materials.
• Maintain Accurate Records: Help track browse species suitability and monitor deliveries to ensure quality and consistency.
• Support Equipment Maintenance and Safety: Assist with planned preventative maintenance checks and contribute to Health & Safety inspections to keep equipment in optimal condition.

• A valid full UK driving license (Category B and above) and confidence driving various vehicles, including long-wheelbase vans and towing trailers.
• A reasonable understanding of plant identification and toxic plants to ensure safety and proper management.
• A chainsaw certificate (CS31/NPTC 202 and up) and First Aid training (EFAW+F) are highly desirable.
• Practical experience in horticulture, land-based management, or animal care (with knowledge of animal behaviour, physiology, and nutrition) will be beneficial.
• Ability to demonstrate strong customer service skills, maintaining professionalism and respect when interacting with the public, tree surgeons, and landowners off-site.
• An understanding of the importance of quality control in animal feed is essential.
• Thrives working outdoors in varying weather conditions and with undertaking physically demanding tasks, including lifting, bending, pushing, and pulling heavy materials.
• Flexibility to work weekends will be required as part of the role.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

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  
• 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  
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages