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- Tasks: Engage visitors with animal talks and events, creating memorable wildlife experiences.
- Company: Join ZSL, a leading conservation charity dedicated to saving wildlife from extinction.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, wellbeing initiatives, and complimentary zoo tickets.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in conservation while connecting people with nature every day.
- Qualifications: Passion for conservation and strong communication skills are essential; experience is a plus.
- Other info: This is a fixed-term role for 7 weeks, requiring a minimum of 15 hours per week.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Join us at the forefront of conservation storytelling as a ZSL Engagement Officer. This dynamic, visitor-facing role is your opportunity to inspire and connect people with wildlife every single day. From delivering captivating animal talks to hosting seasonal events and guiding guests through immersive walk-through habitats, you'll be creating unforgettable experiences that support ZSL’s mission to bring people closer to nature. If you're passionate about conservation, love working with people, and thrive in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment, this is your chance to make a real impact.
This role is offered on a fixed-term contract for 7 weeks to support us during a busy summer period, with a minimum commitment of 15 hours per week.
Key responsibilities:
- Visitor Engagement: Be an ambassador for ZSL at all times by welcoming visitors and creating a safe, relaxed, inspiring, and fun environment that motivates them to want to live in a world where wildlife thrives.
- Public Presentations: Deliver the full programme of animal talks, ensuring they are informative, engaging, and aligned with ZSL’s mission.
- Event Participation: Contribute to the delivery of seasonal events, helping to enhance the visitor experience throughout the year.
- Health, Safety & Welfare: Ensure the health, safety, welfare, and security of visitors and animals on site, responding calmly and effectively to emergencies and sensitive situations.
- Inclusive Communication: Ensure all communication is accessible and inclusive, engaging diverse audiences in a welcoming and respectful manner.
We are aiming to hold interviews on Monday 30th June 2025.
Genuine enthusiasm for engaging audiences and delivering outstanding visitor experiences. Experience in communicating complex science and conservation themes to diverse audiences. Skilled in using tailored engagement techniques to create inclusive, high-quality interactions. Strong communication and people skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, volunteers, and the public. Embody ZSL’s values of inclusivity and collaboration in all interactions.
This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK. We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination.
ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.
What do we offer?
- Our vision and purpose: you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct.
- Pension scheme: we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension.
- Flexible working: talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you.
- Holidays: 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays.
- Wellbeing: access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Life assurance: eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day.
- Complimentary tickets: annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops.
- Cycle2Work: our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle.
- Season ticket loan: we offer an interest-free loan for eligible London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work.
- Family friendly policies: we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages.
NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.
Engagement officer employer: Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Contact Detail:
Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Engagement officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with ZSL's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to conservation and inclusivity will help you align your passion and experiences with what they stand for, making you a more compelling candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with ZSL's social media and community events. This not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also gives you insights into their current projects and audience engagement strategies, which can be beneficial during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to demonstrate your public speaking skills. Since the role involves delivering animal talks and engaging with visitors, practice presenting complex information in an engaging way to showcase your ability to connect with diverse audiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former ZSL employees if possible. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, helping you tailor your approach and questions during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Engagement officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read through the job description carefully to grasp the key responsibilities and required skills for the Engagement Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experiences align with ZSL's mission and the specific duties of the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for conservation and visitor engagement. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your ability to communicate complex themes effectively and create inclusive interactions.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise any previous roles or volunteer work that involved public speaking, event organisation, or working with diverse audiences. Make sure to include any relevant training or qualifications that support your application.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is crucial for this role, consider including a section in your CV that highlights your communication skills. Mention any experience you have in delivering presentations or engaging with the public, and be sure to convey your enthusiasm for connecting people with wildlife.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
✨Show Your Passion for Conservation
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for wildlife and conservation during the interview. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to these causes, as this role is all about inspiring others.
✨Prepare Engaging Presentations
Since delivering animal talks is a key responsibility, practice how you would present information in an engaging way. Think about how to simplify complex scientific concepts for diverse audiences, and be ready to demonstrate your presentation skills.
✨Emphasise Your People Skills
This role requires strong communication and relationship-building skills. Be prepared to discuss examples of how you've successfully engaged with different groups of people, whether in previous jobs or volunteer roles.
✨Understand ZSL's Values
Familiarise yourself with ZSL’s mission and values, particularly around inclusivity and collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you embody these values in your interactions and how you can contribute to creating a welcoming environment for all visitors.
