Seasonal Retail Assistant

Seasonal Retail Assistant

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical Retail setting where else could you stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

As the UKs biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and theres always lots going on here. Were an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members.

Each year, we have plenty of exciting seasonal opportunities within our Retail, Operation, Admissions and Food and Beverage teams, to undertake a variety of tasks such as picking stock in our warehouse, stewarding the car parks, working in our gift shops, welcoming guests, or face painting. No two days will be the same!

The Role:

Our Seasonal Retail Assistants work in all areas of Retail at the zoo one specialised area is the role of face painting and handimals so we would love to hear from you if you have experience in this area. You will be working in our studio or in one of our pop up locations, painting faces and designing handprints. As well as this you could be working in one of our gift shops, in our busy warehouse or fulfilling our online shop orders! You should have strong customer service skills and be comfortable engaging regularly with visitors; feeling confident to welcome, approach and conversate. Additionally, as part of a One Team approach, you will be required to support our Food & Beverage team to meet the needs of the business where necessary. This may include working in fast food restaurants, coffee shops, kiosks, a warehouse, a picnic parlour and a 450 seat street kitchen serving Indonesian inspired food, as well as the Oakfield, which is our award winning British gastro-pub.

The Package

• Seasonal contract, starting 11/12 May 2024, until 8 September 2024
• Rate of pay of £10.80 per hour regardless of age, increasing to £11.44 from 1 April 2024
• Working on a rota basis with hours available from 8 to 40 hours per week
• Annual leave which accrues based on hours of work
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Free bus travel available from Chester and Ellesmere Port train stations

Our Requirements

• Be passionate about excellent customer service and feel confident communicating with visitors.
• Be positive, flexible and approachable with a can do attitude.
• Enjoy exceeding targets and up selling.
• Be comfortable and able to work outside for long periods in all weathers.

Although not essential, experience gained within a retail or visitor attraction environment would be advantageous.

Flexibility in these roles is key, so the successful candidates must be able to work up to 5 days out of 7 every week. This will include evenings until 10pm, weekends, mid-week and bank holidays as rostered, to cover all needs of the business.

Shortlisting of applications for the role will take place while the advert is live; interviews will be held on 20/ 21 April 2024.

Join our team and help prevent extinction!