At a Glance
- Tasks: Harvest and collect fresh browse for animals, ensuring their nutrition and wellbeing.
- Company: Join ZSL, a leading conservation charity dedicated to wildlife protection.
- Benefits: Generous pension, flexible working, 25 days leave, and complimentary zoo tickets.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace encouraging diverse applicants; dynamic role with physical tasks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while working outdoors with amazing wildlife.
- Qualifications: Valid UK driving license, plant identification knowledge, and strong customer service skills.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to work with the amazing animals at London Zoo, one of the world’s most renowned zoological institutions. As you support the Browse Management Officer in harvesting and collecting fresh browse, you'll play a vital role in providing essential nutrition to a variety of species. Your efforts will directly contribute to the health, enrichment, and wellbeing of the animals, making a real difference in their daily care. This position is offered as a 9-month fixed-term contract, working 37.5 hours per week. As our zoos are open seven days a week, your schedule will follow a rota which includes weekends and bank holidays.
Key responsibilities
- Harvest, Collect, and Distribute Browse: Support the gathering and delivery of fresh browse to various animal sections, ensuring a consistent and nutritious supply for the animals.
- Manage Browse Waste: Assist with the responsible disposal and management of spent browse materials.
- Maintain Accurate Records: Help track browse species suitability and monitor deliveries to ensure quality and consistency.
- Equipment Maintenance and Safety: Assist with planned preventative maintenance checks and contribute to Health & Safety inspections to keep equipment in optimal condition.
About You
- A valid full UK driving license (Category B and above) and confidence driving various vehicles, including long-wheelbase vans and towing trailers.
- A reasonable understanding of plant identification and toxic plants to ensure safety and proper management.
- Ability to demonstrate strong customer service skills, maintaining professionalism and respect when interacting with the public, tree surgeons, and landowners off-site.
- An understanding of the importance of quality control in animal feed is essential.
- Thrives working outdoors in varying weather conditions and with undertaking physically demanding tasks, including lifting, bending, pushing, and pulling heavy materials.
- Flexibility to work weekends will be required as part of the role.
This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.
About Us
We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.
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.
Browse Operative (Fixed Term Contract) in Harrow employer: Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
ZSL is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the iconic London Zoo, where your contributions directly support animal welfare and conservation efforts. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, generous benefits including a pension scheme, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive work culture that values diversity, ZSL fosters an environment where you can grow both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact on wildlife conservation.
Contact Details:
Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Browse Operative (Fixed Term Contract) in Harrow
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We think you need these skills to ace Browse Operative (Fixed Term Contract) in Harrow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience with Plants:In agriculture, it’s all about hands-on experience, right? Make sure your CV showcases any relevant work you've done with crops, livestock, or even through volunteering. If you’ve held a position that involved tilling the soil or caring for plants, mention specifics so we can see your skills in action!
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Tailor Your Application to the Weather!:When applying for a temporary gig at Zoological Society of London (ZSL), it's super important to let us know your availability, considering that agricultural work can sometimes be influenced by seasons or weather patterns. Make it clear when you can jump in, whether that’s for a few weeks or a month!
Bring along Any Certifications:If you have any cool certificates related to agriculture, like health and safety or machinery operation, be sure to include these in your application. They can really set you apart and show that you’re not just a regular applicant—you're someone who comes prepped and ready to contribute!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
✨Show Off Your Practical Skills
In the agriculture field, hands-on experience is key. Be ready to chat about any specific tools or machinery you've worked with, whether it’s tractors, irrigation systems, or general farm equipment. If you’ve got experience with crop management or livestock care, flaunt that too!
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✨Mindful of Safety Regulations
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