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- Tasks: Manage and enhance the zoo's 600-acre site, focusing on biodiversity and land management.
- Company: Join ZSL, a leading conservation charity dedicated to wildlife preservation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holidays, and access to wellbeing initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on wildlife conservation while working in beautiful green spaces.
- Qualifications: Experience in horticulture or countryside management and a passion for biodiversity.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace encouraging applications from diverse backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Whipsnade Zoo has an exciting opportunity for a new full time permanent Zoo Horticulturalist to join the team. The Horticulture team manages the zoo's 600 acre site as well as surrounding green spaces, which are diverse with many areas of visitor accessible parkland as well as restricted access regenerative spaces including the site's designated SSSI chalk grassland. The site is rich in biodiversity and the horticulture team strives to ever improve this through the advancement of zoo horticulture and land-based management on site. We are searching for applicants with a drive and passion for biodiversity development with good knowledge or a passion to build on their knowledge of land-based management.
Key responsibilities:
- Use facilities, tools, equipment and machinery safely, responsibly and as instructed.
- Carry out and record daily, weekly and monthly planned preventative equipment maintenance.
- Maintain and develop amenity areas and exhibits to defined horticultural standards.
- Carry out horticultural tasks that support animal sections, enhancing husbandry and welfare, while creating and managing habitats to the site’s biodiversity and ecological value.
- Support and guide colleagues in tasks requiring specialised skills, such as machinery use, under the direction of the Horticulture Team Leader.
About You:
- Experience in amenity horticulture, countryside management, or a related land-based sector.
- Practical knowledge of plant identification and formal garden maintenance.
- Ability to plan and prioritise tasks effectively.
- Experience or knowledge in managing protected sites, such as SSSIs.
- Knowledge of horticultural, arboricultural, and conservation practices.
- Proactive with the initiative to support the team.
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, and 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 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
Whipsnade Zoo Horticulturist employer: Zoological Society of London
Contact Detail:
Zoological Society of London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Whipsnade Zoo Horticulturist
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Whipsnade Zoo and its horticulture team. Understanding their projects and values will help you connect with them during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for biodiversity! When you get the chance, share your experiences or ideas related to land-based management. This will demonstrate your commitment to the role and the zoo's mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss practical skills! Brush up on your plant identification and garden maintenance knowledge. They’ll want to see how you can contribute to maintaining those beautiful habitats.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Whipsnade Zoo.
We think you need these skills to ace Whipsnade Zoo Horticulturist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Biodiversity: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for biodiversity shine through! Share any experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to land-based management and conservation.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the key responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your unique background fits with our goals at Whipsnade Zoo!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experience and skills, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can process your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zoological Society of London
✨Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant identification skills and be ready to discuss specific species relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with the biodiversity of the Whipsnade Zoo site, especially the SSSI chalk grassland, as this will show your passion for land-based management.
✨Show Your Initiative
Prepare examples of how you've taken the initiative in previous roles, particularly in amenity horticulture or countryside management. Highlight any projects where you improved biodiversity or managed habitats effectively, as this aligns with the zoo's mission.
✨Safety First
Understand the importance of safety when using tools and machinery. Be ready to discuss your experience with equipment maintenance and how you ensure safe practices in your work environment. This will demonstrate your responsibility and reliability.
✨Team Player Mindset
Emphasise your ability to support and guide colleagues, especially in specialised tasks. Share experiences where you collaborated with a team to achieve common goals, as teamwork is crucial in a diverse environment like a zoo.
