Assistant Conservation Project Officer – Project Support
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Closing date: 8 December 2025
Contact: Sharon Ancell (sharon.ancell@rzo.co.uk)
Sector: Animal Care
Type: Paid, Full‑time
Salary: £24,896 – £25,518 per annum
About the Organization
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity aiming to protect, value, and love nature. Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are gateways to the natural world.
Role Overview
You will provide a range of project support activities to ensure the smooth running of the conservation department, including administrative, financial, and coordination duties in support of RZSS’s vision and mission. You will also coordinate international conservation projects alongside the Head of Conservation and Science Programmes.
Responsibilities
* Support the manager with department operations and conservation projects by providing administration services, including report collation, meeting coordination, and minute taking.
* Prepare relevant financial and technical reports.
* Perform financial administrative services for projects in liaison with the Finance Department, adhering to timelines and standards.
* Contribute to project reporting, authoring report sections.
* Support international projects by arranging and attending meetings, taking minutes, processing payments, disseminating communications, maintaining RZSS web pages, identifying wider communication stories, and reviewing partner content.
Qualifications
* Degree‑level or equivalent experience in ecology, biology, or environmental discipline.
* Understanding of conservation issues involved in species recovery.
* Competent in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
* Proficient in field work skills and organisation.
* Track record of providing excellent service delivery, responding to internal and external queries.
* Experience with budget spreadsheets (e.g. SAGE) is an advantage.
Benefits
* Starting salary £24,896 – £25,518 per annum with progression up to £27,749.
* 37.5‑hour working week (may require weekend work).
* 34 days annual leave (pro‑rata).
* Discounts in retail/catering.
* Access to a healthcare plan.
* Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offering 24‑hour counselling and support.
* Employer contributory pension scheme.
* Staff membership granting free and discounted entry to Highland Wildlife Park, Edinburgh Zoo, and other UK zoos.
Application Information
This role is subject to standard pre‑employment checks, including right to work in the UK and Basic Disclosure/PVG checks. Interviews will take place on 13 January 2026. The advert will close once a successful candidate has been found.
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.
Equal Opportunity
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is an equal opportunities employer. The RZSS recruits a diverse workforce following the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010.
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