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- Tasks: Maintain beautiful spaces and support animal exhibits while engaging with visitors.
- Company: Join ZSL, a leader in conservation and wildlife care at London Zoo.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holidays, and complimentary zoo tickets.
- Why this job: Combine your love for horticulture and wildlife in a vibrant, impactful environment.
- Qualifications: A Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture or equivalent experience is preferred.
- Other info: Work outdoors in all weather and inspire others about nature.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Zoo Horticulturalist role at Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
London Zoo isn’t just a zoo, it’s a world-leading centre for conservation, education, and animal care right in the heart of Regent’s Park. As part of ZSL (Zoological Society of London), every role here directly contributes to our global vision of a world where wildlife thrives. We are seeking a skilled and passionate Zoo Horticulturalist to join our London Zoo team, playing a vital role in shaping and caring for our extraordinary living landscapes. This is a unique opportunity to combine your horticultural expertise with a love for wildlife, conservation, and visitor engagement.
Responsibilities
- Amenity Care: Maintain and enhance amenity areas across the zoo to the highest standards, creating beautiful spaces for visitors to enjoy.
- Animal Exhibit Support: Maintain animal exhibits to agreed standards and provide forage and plant-based enrichment.
- Visitor Engagement: Engage with visitors and key audiences, helping to inspire a deeper appreciation for plants, wildlife, and the natural world.
- Biodiversity Management: Optimise the biodiversity value and function of the Zoo grounds through appropriate habitat management.
- Team Support: Supervise apprentices, volunteers and work placements as required.
Qualifications
- A good knowledge of current horticultural, arboricultural and conservation management techniques and the ability to put these into practice.
- A Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture (or equivalent), or comparable level of experience in countryside management or similar land-based sector is desirable.
- Excellent plant knowledge.
- NPTC/LANTRA certifications in the use of machinery and equipment such as hedge trimmers, brushcutters, mowers and woodchippers are desirable.
- Ability to work as part of a team and independently and good understanding of current health and safety legislation.
- Sound literacy, numeracy, IT skills and good communication.
- A valid full clean driving license is desired.
- Thrives working outdoors in all weather conditions and in the zoo’s indoor exhibits.
Additional role details
- Working hours are 07:00 – 15:30 in summer, 07:00 – 14:30 in winter, Monday – Friday.
What 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
- 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.
It’s important to personalise your application to highlight your unique skills, experience, and knowledge. Over reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of your application.
Seniority level
- Entry level
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Management and Manufacturing
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NB: Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Zoological Society of London (ZSL) by 2x
Sevenoaks, England, United Kingdom 20 hours ago
London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
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Zoo Horticulturalist 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 Zoo Horticulturalist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific plants and habitats found at London Zoo. Understanding the unique flora that thrives in this environment will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to the role during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with current staff or volunteers at ZSL through social media platforms or local horticultural events. Building connections can provide you with insider insights about the team culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with biodiversity management and visitor engagement. Think of specific examples where you've successfully enhanced a space or engaged an audience, as these will resonate well with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for conservation and wildlife in your conversations. Being able to articulate why you care about these issues and how they align with ZSL's mission will set you apart as a candidate who truly fits the ethos of the organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Zoo Horticulturalist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant horticultural experience and skills that align with the responsibilities of the Zoo Horticulturalist role. Emphasise your knowledge of plant care, biodiversity management, and any experience in visitor engagement.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for conservation and wildlife. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your horticultural expertise and how you can contribute to ZSL's mission of inspiring appreciation for the natural world.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your qualifications, such as your Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture or any NPTC/LANTRA certifications. If you have experience with machinery and equipment, make sure to include that as well, as it is desirable for this role.
Showcase Teamwork and Communication Skills: Since the role involves supervising apprentices and engaging with visitors, provide examples of your teamwork and communication skills. Highlight any previous roles where you worked collaboratively or engaged with the public to enhance their understanding of horticulture and conservation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
✨Show Your Passion for Conservation
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for wildlife conservation and how it aligns with the mission of the Zoological Society of London. Share any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to preserving biodiversity.
✨Demonstrate Your Horticultural Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss specific horticultural techniques and practices you are familiar with. Highlight your plant knowledge and any certifications you hold, such as NPTC/LANTRA, to showcase your expertise in maintaining diverse plant life.
✨Engage with Visitor Engagement Strategies
Think about ways you can inspire visitors' appreciation for plants and wildlife. Prepare examples of how you've previously engaged audiences or contributed to educational initiatives, as this role involves direct interaction with zoo visitors.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Leadership Skills
Since the role involves supervising apprentices and volunteers, be ready to discuss your experience working in teams and any leadership roles you've held. Emphasise your ability to collaborate effectively and support others in a horticultural setting.
