At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome visitors, assist with parking, and ensure a great first impression.
- Company: Join Wild Planet Trust, a leading conservation charity with two zoos and nature reserves in Devon.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days paid holiday, free zoo entry for family, and discounts on food and retail.
- Other info: Part-time role during school holidays with flexible hours over a 7-day rota.
- Why this job: Be part of an amazing team in a vibrant environment while making a positive impact.
- Qualifications: Excellent customer service skills and a friendly attitude are essential; previous experience is a plus.
Location Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7EU Salary National Minimum Wage Application Deadline Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Job Summary
Wild Planet Trust is a registered education, scientific and conservation charity established in 1957 and based in Devon, UK. We own two zoos in south west England, plus two local nature reserves and a National Nature Reserve. We support conservation in the United Kingdom and overseas using funds generated by the people who visit the zoos and the expertise and dedication of our staff.
Paignton Zoo first opened its doors as the Torbay Zoological Gardens in 1923. 100 years later, our site, and work, has grown considerably and we are now one of the South West’s largest conservation organisations and top visitor attractions. There are over 230 species of animal that call Paignton Zoo home. As well as being a zoo, we’re also an award-winning botanical garden with over 4,000 species on record.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Car Park Assistant to join our Car Park team for our peak 2025 season on a part time basis. These contracts are for school holidays only working a minimum of 10 hours per week. The hours will be over a 7-day rota, including weekends and bank holidays. The salary for this position is national minimum wage.
School Holidays are:
19 July to 30 August 2025
26 October to 01 November 2025
You’ll play a key role in the overall experience of our visitors and will be the face of the Wild Planet Trust for every visitor that meets you as they arrive. If you are a friendly, outgoing person who enjoys meeting people and working in an amazing environment this could be the perfect opportunity for you. You will be responsible for welcoming visitors as they arrive in our car park, helping them to park and directing them to the main entrance.
What skills and experience are required?
The ideal candidates will have excellent customer service skills and will be friendly and welcoming. Problem solving skills and confidence in speaking to visitors is essential. Previous experience in a similar role and basic health and safety knowledge is beneficial.
Benefits of joining our team include:
- 33 days paid holiday pro-rata (inclusive of Bank Holidays)
- Branded uniform provided (as required)
- Relevant internal and external training provided
- Free entry to our zoos for staff and immediate family
- Complimentary tickets
- Discounts in our Catering and Retail outlets (as applicable)
- Free staff parking
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Discounts Platform
Please note, we will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews throughout the advertising period for this role. The role may therefore be filled prior to the closing date.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Job Profile Job Profile document#J-18808-Ljbffr
Seasonal Car Park Assistant in Paignton employer: Wild Planet Trust
Wild Planet Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where staff are integral to creating memorable experiences for visitors at Paignton Zoo. With generous benefits including 33 days of paid holiday pro-rata, free zoo entry for staff and their families, and opportunities for personal growth through training, employees can thrive in a supportive environment dedicated to conservation and education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Seasonal Car Park Assistant in Paignton
✨Hit the Ground Running with Seasonal Hiring!
Many customer support roles, especially seasonal ones, ramp up around holidays or special events. Keep an eye out for hiring fairs or open days in your area. Local businesses often need a boost during peak times, so don’t hesitate to drop in and chat directly with the team at places like Wild Planet Trust.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities focused on customer support, like forums or social media groups. This is a fantastic way to connect with others in the field, learn about unadvertised roles, and share experiences. Plus, you never know when a connection might lead to an opportunity at places like Wild Planet Trust.
✨Show Off Your Skills!
Since you're targeting a seasonal role, create a quick online portfolio showcasing your customer support skills. Whether it’s resolving customer queries, handling difficult conversations, or just general customer engagement – put it all out there! Make sure to share the link when you apply to Wild Planet Trust.
✨Be Prepared for the Busy Season
You know seasonal work can get intense, so brush up on common customer queries and best practices before interviews. When you’re prepared to talk about handling high-stress situations, it shows you’re ready to step in during the crunch periods. This is likely to impress the team at Wild Planet Trust!
We think you need these skills to ace Seasonal Car Park Assistant in Paignton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Support Skills:In your CV, make sure to highlight any previous experience you've had in customer support or related fields. This could include resolving customer issues, handling complaints, or even just being a go-to person for friends and family. Use specific examples that demonstrate your capability to help others effectively—the more relatable, the better!
Tailor Your Cover Letter with Enthusiasm:For a seasonal role at Wild Planet Trust, we want to see your excitement for both the job and the company. Use your cover letter to express why you're interested in customer support specifically and how you're eager to help customers during peak times. Mention any relevant skills or experiences that make you a perfect fit!
Flexibility is Key:Seasonal positions often require adaptability, so emphasise your willingness to work varying shifts or tackle new challenges. Let us know about your flexibility in your cover letter, as it shows you're ready to jump into action when needed and helps us understand your availability throughout the season.
Emphasise Soft Skills and Teamwork:In customer support, your soft skills are just as crucial as your experience. Highlight qualities like patience, empathy, and communication in your CV and cover letter. If you have examples of working in a team to solve problems or improve processes, shout about them—they'll show us how you can contribute to a great atmosphere at Wild Planet Trust!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wild Planet Trust
✨Showcase Your Customer Empathy
In customer support, empathy is key! Come prepared with examples from past experiences where you handled customer issues. Think of specific situations where you turned a frustrated customer into a satisfied one, because those real-life stories will show Wild Planet Trust that you've got the right attitude for their team.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with popular customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk. If you've used any chat or ticketing systems before, be ready to discuss how you navigated them and any challenges you overcame. This will demonstrate that you're not just a people person but also tech-savvy, which is super important in this field.
✨Prepare for Role-Playing Scenarios
Expect some role-playing during your interview where you'll be asked to deal with a hypothetical customer scenario. Practise handling common issues, such as a complaint about a product or service delay. This will give you a chance to display your problem-solving skills and how you maintain professionalism under pressure.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Enthusiasm
As this is a seasonal position, let your passion shine! Talk about your willingness to dive into the role, your adaptability to busy periods, and how you thrive in high-pressure environments. Share why you're excited to join Wild Planet Trust during this peak time and how you can be an asset to their team.
