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- Tasks: Engage visitors through fun activities, talks, and storytelling at Chester Zoo.
- Company: Chester Zoo is the UK's largest zoo, dedicated to wildlife conservation and education.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous leave, healthcare plans, and discounts on various services.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team making a real impact in conservation while having fun!
- Qualifications: A love for nature, creativity, and excellent communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Positions available for 14 or 21 hours per week; DBS check required.
The predicted salary is between 11717 - 13182 £ per year.
We have a fabulous opportunity for a number of Zoo Rangers to join our team and play a central role in the world-class experience that our visitors enjoy here at Chester Zoo. These are permanent, part-time opportunities, of either a 14 hour or 21 hour per week contract. Please specify on your cover letter whether you wish to apply for the 14hr or 21hr or both positions.
The Role – Zoo Ranger
Within the Conservation Education & Engagement team, we are proud to develop and deliver material to engage our visitors with our plant and animal collection and our worldwide conservation work through a range of diverse, fun and exciting educational experiences. As a Zoo Ranger you will:
- Interact with visitors of all ages including children, families and other audiences.
- Interact with audiences that vary between one individual and a crowd of 500.
- Be expected to deliver across a wide range of mediums including talks, table-top activities, play-based activities and storytelling.
- Deliver engagement in fun, novel ways such as mascots, puppets and roleplay.
- Deliver our range of Junior programme activities for a variety of ages.
- Manage our 2 animal walkthroughs (Fruit Bat Forest and Lemur walkthrough).
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
- Permanent contract
- Working hours of either:
- 14 hours per week, worked over every Saturday and Sunday. Hours of work will be: between 8:30am – 5pm. Some early morning and evening will be required as part of working hours. Overtime will be required during peak times such as school holidays.
- 21 hours per week, worked over every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Hours of work will be: between 8:30am – 5pm. Some early morning and evening will be required as part of working hours. Overtime will be required during peak times such as school holidays.
Our Requirements – Zoo Ranger
- A wide-ranging knowledge of the natural world
- 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:
- Experience of working in a childcare setting or a childcare qualification
- A good working knowledge and experience of zoo conservation education, including research
- 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.
More About Us
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.
To Apply
Please submit your CV along with a covering letter providing answers to the following questions:
- What are your motivations for applying for the role and what relevant skills and experience would you bring to the position?
- Can you please tell us what good customer service means to you and give an example of when you’ve delivered it?
- Can you tell us about a time when you’ve used your creative skills?
- Can you commit to the working hours advertised?
- Would you like for your application to also be considered for our current full-time Zoo Ranger vacancy?
Closing date for applications is 5th January 2025.
Zoo Ranger - Weekend employer: Chester Zoo
Contact Detail:
Chester Zoo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Zoo Ranger - Weekend
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Chester Zoo's conservation efforts and animal collection. This knowledge will not only help you engage with visitors but also demonstrate your passion for wildlife and education during any interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your public speaking and storytelling skills. Since you'll be interacting with diverse audiences, being able to confidently deliver engaging talks and activities is crucial. Consider joining a local group or workshop to hone these skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your creativity by preparing a fun, interactive activity or presentation related to animals or conservation. This could be a great way to stand out in an interview and demonstrate your ability to engage visitors in a playful manner.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former Zoo Rangers if possible. They can provide valuable insights into the role and the application process, and may even offer tips on how to make your application more appealing to the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Zoo Ranger - Weekend
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure to specifically address the questions posed in the job description. Highlight your motivations for applying, relevant skills, and experiences that align with the role of a Zoo Ranger.
Showcase Your Creativity: Since creativity is key for this role, provide a clear example of how you've used your creative skills in past experiences. This could be through storytelling, engaging activities, or any innovative approaches you've taken.
Demonstrate Customer Service Skills: In your cover letter, explain what good customer service means to you and include a specific example of when you've successfully delivered it. This will show your understanding of the importance of visitor engagement.
Specify Your Availability: Clearly state whether you are applying for the 14-hour or 21-hour position, or both, as requested. This helps the hiring team understand your preferences and availability right from the start.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chester Zoo
✨Show Your Passion for Conservation
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for wildlife conservation and education during the interview. Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to these areas, as this role is all about engaging visitors with Chester Zoo's conservation efforts.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves interacting with diverse audiences, practice delivering a short talk or activity idea. This will showcase your ability to engage and communicate effectively, which is crucial for a Zoo Ranger.
✨Prepare for Creative Engagement Scenarios
Think of fun and interactive ways to engage visitors, such as storytelling or using props. Be ready to discuss how you would use creativity in your role, as this is a key aspect of the job.
✨Know the Zoo and Its Animals
Familiarise yourself with Chester Zoo's animal collection and conservation initiatives. Being knowledgeable about the zoo will not only impress your interviewers but also help you connect better with visitors once you land the job.
