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- Tasks: Engage children in fun activities at Chester Zoo's holiday and weekend clubs.
- Company: Join Chester Zoo, the UK's largest zoo, dedicated to wildlife conservation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous leave, healthcare plans, and discounts on various services.
- Why this job: Make a difference in children's lives while working in a vibrant, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in childcare or relevant qualifications; creativity and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: This role is fixed term until November 2025, with opportunities for growth.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced and professional person to join the Zoo Ranger team to deliver high quality activities to primary school age children at our popular Ofsted registered holiday and weekend clubs. This is a fixed term (February – November 2025), part time (6 hour) opportunity.
Supported by our experienced Lead Rangers and our Management Team, you will play an active role in the delivery and daily operations of our successful children's clubs in the heart of Chester Zoo. It is fair to say in this exciting role no day will ever be the same! As well as delivering our holiday clubs, you will support in managing our Fruit Bat Forest and Lemur Walkthrough habitats.
As Zoo Ranger in this role you will:
- Provide a safe and secure environment for the children in our care to explore, learn and have fun.
- Deliver all aspects of our 2 & 3 day holiday clubs, as well as our weekend clubs, in support of Chester Zoo's mission, ensuring all activities deliver value for money, experience and impact.
- Maintain accurate records and reports relating to your delivery activities adhering to our agreed high standards.
- Ensure our policies and standard operating procedures are followed.
- Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with colleagues to ensure programmes are delivered to the high standards of the wider Conservation Education and Engagement programme.
- Engage with visitors of all ages including children, families, adult groups and other audiences whilst managing our 2 animal walkthrough habitats (Fruit Bat Forest and Madagascar Lemur Walkthrough). There will also be the opportunity to get involved in other public engagement activities.
- Engage with visitors of all ages including children, families, adult groups and other audiences in fun, novel ways such as mascots, puppets and roleplay.
What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work? As the UK's biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development.
The Package:
- Fixed term contract.
- 6 hours a week, with flexibility to work up to 35 hours during CWAC school holidays. General hours of working will be between 8am – 5pm.
- Generous annual leave entitlement (33 days including bank holidays based on 40 hours, to be pro-rated).
- Salary of £12.43 per hour including our January 2025 pay award.
- Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off plus a number of complimentary tickets for your family and friends.
- Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme.
- Discounted gym membership.
- Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks.
- Pension scheme with generous employer contribution.
Our Requirements – Zoo Ranger:
- Available to work during school holidays and weekends.
- Experience of working in a childcare setting or a childcare qualification.
- A creative mind, and ability to develop and deliver engaging, high quality public engagement opportunities for our visitors.
- The ability to confidently deliver stories, shows, games and other playful, interactive engagement styles.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact with a wide range of audiences in a playful and engaging manner.
- A good working knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office packages, as well as iPads and apps.
- Good organisational and time management skills.
- The ability to work effectively under their own initiative and as part of a team with a positive attitude.
- Excellent customer service skills.
Although not essential, the following would be desirable:
- A good knowledge of our animal collection and conservation work.
- A degree or qualification in a relevant field e.g. biology, education etc.
- Due to the nature of the organisation and the role, this post is subject to a DBS check.
We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 20,000 incredible animals. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most. We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.
Closing date for applications is 5th January 2025.
Zoo Ranger - Weekend Fixed Term employer: Chester Zoo
Contact Detail:
Chester Zoo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Zoo Ranger - Weekend Fixed Term
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Chester Zoo's mission and conservation efforts. Understanding their goals will help you connect your passion for wildlife and education to the role, making you a more compelling candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage in local community events or workshops related to childcare or animal education. This not only enhances your experience but also shows your commitment to the role and helps you build connections in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your creativity during the interview. Think of fun and engaging ways to interact with children and families, as this is a key aspect of the Zoo Ranger role.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former Zoo Rangers if possible. They can provide insights into the role and the work environment, which can be invaluable when discussing your fit for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Zoo Ranger - Weekend Fixed Term
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in childcare settings, as well as any qualifications you have. Emphasise your ability to engage with children and deliver educational activities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and Chester Zoo's mission. Share specific examples of how you've successfully engaged children in learning environments and your creative approaches to public engagement.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential, ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of errors. Use engaging language that reflects your personality and passion for working with children.
Highlight Teamwork and Initiative: Demonstrate your ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Provide examples from past experiences where you took initiative or collaborated effectively with colleagues to achieve a common goal.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chester Zoo
✨Show Your Passion for Wildlife
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for animals and conservation during the interview. Share any relevant experiences you have had with wildlife or in educational settings, as this will demonstrate your commitment to Chester Zoo's mission.
✨Engage with Playfulness
Since the role involves working with children, be prepared to showcase your ability to engage in a fun and interactive manner. Think of examples where you've used games, stories, or creative activities to capture children's attention.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are crucial for this position. Be ready to discuss how you've effectively communicated with diverse audiences in the past, especially in a childcare or educational context.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork and Initiative
The role requires collaboration with colleagues and the ability to work independently. Prepare examples that illustrate your teamwork skills and instances where you've taken the initiative to solve problems or improve activities.
