Grounds & Logistics Operative

Are you ready to play a vital role at one of the world’s most iconic zoos? ZSL London Zoo is on the lookout for an enthusiastic Grounds and Logistics Operative to join our dynamic Site Operations department. In this exciting position, you’ll be at the forefront of site presentation, ensuring our beautiful grounds are spotless, well-maintained, and always looking their best for every visitor.

You’ll be overseeing the cleanliness of key areas and surfaces across the zoo, to welcoming guests with a friendly face and providing helpful information. You’ll be quick to react to immediate tasks and unexpected challenges, using your own initiative to resolve issues before escalating when necessary. Whether you’re driving our fleet and plant vehicles, responding to urgent needs, or supporting the operational flow of the site, your contribution will help deliver an outstanding visitor experience.

If you’re proactive, possess a full UK or international driving licence with at least one year’s road experience, and are passionate about delivering exceptional customer service, we’d love to hear from you. Join us and help keep ZSL London Zoo a world-class destination for wildlife and people alike!

Key responsibilities:  

• Visitor Interaction and Customer Service: Delivering excellent customer service involves clear communication, being friendly and approachable, and swiftly resolving any guest concerns. Proactively gathering feedback and making improvements helps ensure a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.
• Site Maintenance and Presentation: You will help ensure the site remains clean and presentable by keeping signage and picnic benches tidy, paying close attention to detail to maintain welcoming public areas.
• Hygiene and Environmental Standards: This role involves upholding cleanliness and environmental standards by carrying out tasks such as litter picking, bin changes, weeding and cleaning, helping to ensure a safe and pleasant site for everyone.
• Vehicle Operation and Logistics: This responsibility includes safely driving various site vehicles to transport goods and materials both on and off site and participating in daily waste collections, while adhering to all safety policies and procedures.

•  The ideal candidate will possess the ability to collaborate effectively within a team setting, exhibiting exemplary written and verbal communication skills.
•  They will have proven experience in interacting with members of the public, consistently achieving a high standard of customer satisfaction.
• A good level of physical fitness is required, as the role is predominantly outdoors and involves the handling of heavy items.
• Full clean UK or international driving licence with no endorsements and at least 1 year road experience is essential, as the position involves the operation of a variety of utility, fleet, and plant vehicles.

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.  

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