Purpose of the role

Join the Grounds and Logistics team at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and play a vital role in keeping the zoo running like clockwork! This hands-on, varied role involves driving, performing vehicle checks, transporting animals, materials, and food, and supporting smooth operations across the post room, warehouse, and transport.

You’ll bring energy, initiative, and creative, sustainable solutions to everyday challenges, helping the team work efficiently and make a real, tangible impact on the zoo and the animals in our care. Every day offers variety, practical problem-solving, and the satisfaction of contributing to one of the UK’s leading conservation organisations.

This role is a part time position offered for a three month period, working 20 hours per week. As our zoos are open seven days a week, your schedule will follow a rota which includes weekends and bank holidays. We aim to balance business needs with personal flexibility, so you’ll have advance notice of your shifts to help plan your time. 

 

Key responsibilities:  

  • Vehicle Operations: Drive vehicles as required to support team and site operations.
  • Guest Engagement: Interact with visitors, answer questions, make announcements, and provide outstanding customer care.
  • Site Presentation: Maintain a high standard of cleanliness and general upkeep across the site.
  • Waste Management: Empty bins and manage litter to keep the site clean and welcoming.
  • Grounds Maintenance: Carry out routine grounds tasks, including leaf clearing, sweeping, path upkeep, and pressure washing outdoor areas and structures.

About You

  • You hold a full, clean UK driving licence, ideally including C1 category.
  • You are comfortable working outdoors in all weathers, including around animals, and can work weekends and bank holidays when required.
  • You have a good standard of literacy and numeracy and basic PC skills.
  • You can communicate confidently and effectively with ZSL colleagues, external organisations, contractors, suppliers, and visitors.
  • You have an understanding of health and safety best practice and are committed to following and promoting safe working procedures.
  • You have some telehandler experience

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. 

ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.

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 WOffer?  
At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include: 
  • Purpose driven work – join an organisation where every role contributes to creating a world where wildlife thrives.  
  • 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 (increasing with milestone anniversaries). 
  • Access to ZSL’s staff Equality Networks -Race & Culture, Team Pride, Disability, and Menopause, supporting an inclusive and welcoming workplace for those with lived experience. 
  • 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.  

We may close this role early or extend the closing date due to the number of applications we receive, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

We anonymise applications until interview stage to ensure a fair hiring process. It’s important to highlight your unique skills, experience, and knowledge. Over reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of your application. 

If you have any questions about this role, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with our recruitment team at – [email protected] 

What our team say...

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