Zoo Horticulturist

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Whipsnade Zoo has an exciting opportunity for a new full time, permanent Zoo Horticulturalist to join the team. The Horticulture team manages the zoos 600 acre site as well as surrounding green spaces, the site is diverse with many areas of visitor accessible parkland as well as restricted access regenerative spaces including the sites 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:

• Comply with current legislation and best practice guidance (e.g. health and safety, environmental, wildlife legislation).
• Comply with ZSL and departmental policies and procedures.
• Work toward achieving the organisation’s and department’s aims by carrying out tasks to agreed standards.
• Use facilities, tools, equipment and machinery responsibly and as instructed.
• Carry out and record daily, weekly and monthly planned preventative maintenance checks to specified standards.
• Use materials and substances as instructed by the Team Leader Horticulture.
• Actively support ZSL’s and the department’s efforts to protect the environment and operate sustainably.
• Ensure own safety and that of others.
• Maintain and develop amenity areas and exhibits to defined horticultural standards.
• Carry out horticultural tasks that support animal sections, optimising husbandry and welfare opportunities.
• Carry out horticultural tasks to optimise the site’s biodiversity value and function through appropriate habitat management.
• Participate in training and further learning (formal and informal) to comply with legislation and best practice, and to develop up to date skills and knowledge in zoo horticulture

ABOUT YOU

• Full UK driving licence.
• The position requires practical experience of working in zoo horticulture, amenity horticulture, countryside management or a similar land-based sector.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Good knowledge of current horticultural, arboriculture and conservation management practices and techniques.
• Up to date knowledge of current health and safety legislation and best practice guidance.
• A good level of literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
• A qualification to at least Level 2 Diploma in horticulture (or equivalent), countryside management or similar land-based sector.
• Land-based accredited qualifications in the use of equipment and machinery (e.g. NPTC, LANTRA).
• Ability to attend training off-site if required.
• Ability to collaboratively work as part of the team and with colleagues across the organisation.
• Some tasks can be physically demanding and the job holder is expected to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Ability to work early mornings, evenings and weekends if required.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.

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?

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include: 

• 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 eligibly 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

NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.