At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide first-class service to visitors at Edinburgh Zoo and maintain high standards.
- Company: Join the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, a leading wildlife conservation charity.
- Benefits: Earn £12.24 per hour plus discounts in retail and catering.
- Why this job: Engage with nature lovers and contribute to wildlife conservation while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Good grades in English and Maths; customer service experience preferred.
- Other info: Flexible hours available from February to October 2026.
The predicted salary is between 10 - 15 £ per hour.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision, a world protected, valued and loved. Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are our gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature.
How you'll contribute to our mission: Use your skills and experience to help provide a first-class service for visitors to Edinburgh Zoo. We are currently looking for Seasonal Visitor Assistants (Band A) to help us with our peak season (covering February - October 2026). Varied hours offered.
In this role you'll provide a first-class service to visitors to the RZSS Edinburgh Zoo in a varied and exciting role engaging with customers/visitors ensuring a high standard of customer service at all times. Ensuring all areas of the site are presented to the highest standards.
- Ensure admissions areas are maintained to the highest standard, with the required information on display and products fully stocked.
- Fulfill orders (e.g. gift vouchers) efficiently.
- Follow cash handling and recording procedures, operating tills efficiently.
- Follow data regulations including GDPR.
- Provide a five-star visitor experience, ensuring visitors receive a personal and knowledgeable welcome and service.
- Operate admissions systems efficiently and effectively to both sell and upsell products.
- Use sales training and your initiative to grow income through donations, Gift Aid, membership and other opportunities, ensuring every visitor has an opportunity to support our mission.
- Respond to visitor feedback with empathy, resolve issues within guidelines.
- Assist in other areas of the visitor operations team when required, for example, retail and events.
- Understanding and awareness of Edinburgh Zoo on-site driving policies and inform all visiting drivers.
- Act as a responsible driver for on-site visitor transport.
What we’re looking for: Good achievement in standard grades (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics. Experience in use of electronic cash till. Providing first-class customer care and service, including dealing with customer queries. Previous work in a range of visitor experience activities. Please see the role profile for further information on what the role involves and essential/desirable criteria.
What you’ll get in return: Salary £12.24 per hour (subject to update from 1 April 2026). Discount in both retail/catering.
If this role excites you and aligns with your career aspirations, click APPLY now. This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK and Basic Disclosure check. Please note that shortlisting of applications and interviews for this position will take place while the advert is live. The advert will close once a successful candidate has been found. Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.
Visitor Assistant (Band A) (Seasonal) in Edinburgh employer: The Royal Zoological Society Of Scotland
Contact Detail:
The Royal Zoological Society Of Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Visitor Assistant (Band A) (Seasonal) in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and its mission. When you walk into that interview, show us you’re passionate about wildlife conservation and how you can contribute to making Edinburgh Zoo a fantastic experience for visitors.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Think of scenarios where you might need to handle visitor queries or complaints. We want to see how you can turn a potentially negative experience into a positive one, so be ready to share examples from your past.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to demonstrate your sales skills. Whether it’s upselling products or encouraging donations, we’re looking for someone who can engage with visitors and help them support our mission. Have some ideas ready on how you’d approach this!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Edinburgh Zoo. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Visitor Assistant (Band A) (Seasonal) in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Wildlife: When you're writing your application, let your love for wildlife and conservation shine through. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about working at Edinburgh Zoo and helping visitors connect with nature.
Highlight Customer Service Skills: Make sure to emphasise any previous experience you have in customer service. We’re looking for folks who can provide a first-class experience, so share examples of how you've gone above and beyond for customers in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your skills and experiences are easy to understand. This helps us see how you fit into our team!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Royal Zoological Society Of Scotland
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to understand the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their conservation efforts and how Edinburgh Zoo contributes to wildlife protection. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect your answers to their goals.
✨Customer Service Focus
Since this role is all about providing a first-class visitor experience, prepare examples from your past experiences where you delivered excellent customer service. Think about times when you resolved issues or went above and beyond for a customer. Be ready to discuss these scenarios during the interview.
✨Practice Cash Handling Scenarios
As you'll be operating tills and handling cash, it’s a good idea to brush up on your cash handling skills. Consider practicing common scenarios you might face, like processing a sale or dealing with a refund. This will help you feel more confident when discussing your experience with electronic cash tills.
✨Engage with Visitor Feedback
Be prepared to talk about how you would respond to visitor feedback, both positive and negative. Think of examples where you've used feedback to improve service or resolve an issue. Showing that you can empathise with visitors and take action will demonstrate your suitability for the role.