At a Glance
- Tasks: Bring creativity and energy to guest interactions while face painting and creating art.
- Company: Chester Zoo, the UK's biggest and best zoo with a vibrant team culture.
- Benefits: Earn £12.21 per hour, enjoy free zoo visits, staff discounts, and flexible hours.
- Other info: Temporary contract from March to September with opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Work in a unique environment surrounded by wildlife and inspire visitors every day.
- Qualifications: Passion for customer service and creativity; retail experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 10 - 16 £ per hour.
Our working environment could not be more different from a typical Retail setting – where else could you stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break? 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 nearly 600 permanent and 500 seasonal team members. As a part of our Retail team, your role will help to support our mission of preventing extinction whilst ensuring we continue to be an amazing, award winning visitor attraction.
The Role
As one of our Retail Assistants Artists, you will bring energy, creativity, and enthusiasm to every guest interaction. Your passion for delivering an exceptional experience will help create magical moments that inspire our visitors to return time and time again. You could be working in any area of Retail and potentially get to take part in our festival and off‑site work. You’ll thrive in a team environment, while also being confident, imaginative, and self‑assured in your own abilities. Retail Artists work across various areas of zoo retail; however, their specialism is face painting and art work. If you have experience or a natural talent in this field, we would love to hear from you.
The Package
- Temporary contract, starting 21st March 2026, until 6th September 2026.
- Rate of pay of £12.21 per hour regardless of age.
- Working on a rota basis with a minimum of 8 hours per week up to a maximum of 40 hours per week.
- Hours will vary and can be significantly more during busy periods. This includes weekends, bank holidays and evenings.
- Annual leave which accrues based on hours of work.
- Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus complimentary tickets for your friends and family.
- Free bus travel available on the X1 from Chester and Ellesmere Port train stations.
- Staff discount in our restaurants and retail outlets.
- Subsidised staff canteen.
- Online Discount/Cashback scheme.
- Free entry to affiliated zoos and collections through BIAZA including Blue Planet Aquarium.
Our Requirements
- Be passionate about excellent customer service and feel confident communicating with visitors.
- Be positive, flexible and approachable with a “can do” attitude.
- Enjoy exceeding targets and up selling.
- Be comfortable and able to work outside for long periods in all weathers.
- Although not essential, experience gained within a retail or visitor attraction environment would be advantageous.
Interviews will be held on Saturday 7th, Sunday 8th and Monday 9th of March. Flexibility in these roles is key, so the successful candidates must be able to work up to 5 days out of 7 every week. This will include evenings until 10pm, weekends, mid‑week and bank holidays as rostered.
Retail Assistant - Artist in Chester employer: Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo offers a unique and vibrant working environment where you can immerse yourself in nature while contributing to a meaningful cause. As part of our diverse team, you'll enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and a range of benefits including free zoo access for you and your loved ones, staff discounts, and opportunities for personal growth within an award-winning visitor attraction. Join us in creating magical moments for our guests while supporting our mission to prevent extinction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Assistant - Artist in Chester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Chester Zoo! Familiarise yourself with the animals, exhibits, and the overall vibe of the place. This will not only help you stand out during interviews but also show your genuine passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! As a Retail Assistant Artist, your artistic skills are key. Bring along a portfolio or examples of your face painting and artwork to showcase your talent during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to demonstrate your customer service skills. Think of examples where you've gone above and beyond for customers. This will highlight your 'can do' attitude and make you a memorable candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our amazing team at Chester Zoo!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Assistant - Artist in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for customer service and creativity shine through in your application. We want to see how much you love engaging with visitors and making their experience magical!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight any relevant experience, especially in retail or face painting. We’re looking for those unique skills that make you stand out!
Be Yourself:Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your writing. We value authenticity, so share your story and what makes you a great fit for our team at Chester Zoo.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to see your application and get you on board for an exciting adventure!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chester Zoo
✨Show Your Passion for Customer Service
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for delivering excellent customer service during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond for customers in the past, as this role is all about creating magical moments for visitors.
✨Demonstrate Your Creativity
Since the role involves face painting and art work, be prepared to showcase your creative skills. Bring along a portfolio or photos of your previous work, and be ready to discuss your artistic process and how you engage with guests through your art.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Flexibility
Highlight your ability to thrive in a team environment and your flexibility in working various shifts. Discuss any past experiences where you successfully collaborated with others or adapted to changing circumstances, as this will resonate well with their team-oriented culture.
✨Research Chester Zoo
Familiarise yourself with Chester Zoo's mission and values, especially their commitment to preventing extinction. Mentioning specific initiatives or projects during your interview will show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team and contributing to their goals.
