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- Tasks: Drive vehicles, transport animals, and support zoo operations while engaging with visitors.
- Company: Join ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, a leading conservation charity making a real impact.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, generous pension scheme, and complimentary zoo tickets.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that helps wildlife thrive and contributes to conservation efforts.
- Qualifications: Full UK driving licence, good communication skills, and basic PC knowledge.
- Other info: Part-time role with 20 hours per week, offering variety and hands-on experience.
The predicted salary is between 10 - 13 £ per hour.
Join the Grounds and Logistics team at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and play a vital role in keeping the zoo running like clockwork. This hands-on, varied role involves driving, performing vehicle checks, transporting animals, materials, and food, and supporting smooth operations across the post room, warehouse, and transport. You’ll bring energy, initiative, and creative, sustainable solutions to everyday challenges, helping the team work efficiently and make a real, tangible impact on the zoo and the animals in our care. Every day offers variety, practical problem-solving, and the satisfaction of contributing to one of the UK’s leading conservation organisations. This role is a part-time position offered for a three-month period, working 20 hours per week. As our zoos are open seven days a week, your schedule will follow a rota which includes weekends and bank holidays. We aim to balance business needs with personal flexibility, so you’ll have advance notice of your shifts to help plan your time.
Key responsibilities
- Vehicle Operations: Drive vehicles as required to support team and site operations.
- Guest Engagement: Interact with visitors, answer questions, make announcements, and provide outstanding customer care.
- Site Presentation: Maintain a high standard of cleanliness and general upkeep across the site.
- Waste Management: Empty bins and manage litter to keep the site clean and welcoming.
- Grounds Maintenance: Carry out routine grounds tasks, including leaf clearing, sweeping, path upkeep, and pressure washing outdoor areas and structures.
About You
You hold a full, clean UK driving licence, ideally including C1 category. You are comfortable working outdoors in all weathers, including around animals, and can work weekends and bank holidays when required. You have a good standard of literacy and numeracy and basic PC skills. You can communicate confidently and effectively with ZSL colleagues, external organisations, contractors, suppliers, and visitors. You have an understanding of health and safety best practice and are committed to following and promoting safe working procedures. You have some telehandler experience.
Other employment considerations
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.
What We Offer
- Purpose driven work – join an organisation where every role contributes to creating a world where wildlife thrives.
- 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 (increasing with milestone anniversaries).
- Access to ZSL’s staff Equality Networks - Race & Culture, Team Pride, Disability, and Menopause, supporting an inclusive and welcoming workplace for those with lived experience.
- 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.
We may close this role early or extend the closing date due to the number of applications we receive, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We anonymise applications until interview stage to ensure a fair hiring process. It’s important 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. If you have any questions about this role, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with our recruitment team at – recruitment@zsl.org
Transport Operative in Dunstable employer: Zoological Society of London
Contact Detail:
Zoological Society of London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Transport Operative in Dunstable
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the zoo! Before your interview, take a stroll around ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Familiarise yourself with the layout and the animals. This will not only impress your interviewers but also help you understand the environment you'll be working in.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your driving skills! Since this role involves vehicle operations, be ready to discuss your driving experience. If you have any specific examples of how you've handled tricky driving situations or maintained vehicles, share those stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with the team! During your interview, express your enthusiasm for teamwork and collaboration. Mention any past experiences where you’ve worked closely with others, especially in outdoor or customer-facing roles. It’s all about showing you can contribute to the smooth operations of the zoo.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application directly on our platform. It makes it easier for us to review your details and get back to you quickly. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the ZSL family!
We think you need these skills to ace Transport Operative in Dunstable
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Conservation: When writing your application, let your love for wildlife and conservation shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission at ZSL, so share any relevant experiences or interests that demonstrate your commitment to making a difference.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight the skills and experiences that match the job description. We’re looking for specific examples of how you’ve handled similar responsibilities in the past, especially around vehicle operations and guest engagement.
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we appreciate creativity, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and keep your application focused. Avoid jargon and ensure it’s easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the Transport Operative role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zoological Society of London
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Transport Operative. Familiarise yourself with vehicle operations, guest engagement, and grounds maintenance tasks. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Since this role involves practical problem-solving, think of examples from your past experiences where you've tackled challenges effectively. Whether it's managing waste or ensuring site cleanliness, be ready to discuss how you approached these situations and what solutions you implemented.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
As you'll be interacting with visitors and colleagues, it's crucial to showcase your communication abilities. Practice explaining complex ideas simply and clearly. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer about team dynamics or visitor engagement strategies.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Safety
Health and safety are paramount in this role. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of health and safety best practices and how you've applied them in previous jobs. This will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a safe working environment for both yourself and the animals.
