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:
* 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 optimise 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, 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?
At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:
* 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 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.
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 – [email protected]