Zoo Horticulturalist

Overview

Purpose of the Role

Whipsnade Zoo has an exciting opportunity for a new permanent Zoo Horticulturalist to join the team. The Horticulture team manages the zoo's 600-acre site, which includes visitor-accessible parkland and restricted access regenerative spaces such as the designated SSSI chalk grassland. The site is rich in biodiversity, and the horticulture team strives to improve this through advanced zoo horticulture and land-based management.

Key Responsibilities

• Comply with current legislation and best practice guidance (e.g., health and safety, environmental, wildlife legislation).
• Follow ZSL and departmental policies and procedures.
• Work towards 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 personal 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.
• Perform horticultural tasks to enhance the site’s biodiversity value through appropriate habitat management.
• Participate in training and further learning (formal and informal) to comply with legislation and best practices, and to develop up-to-date skills in zoo horticulture.

About You

• Full UK driving licence.
• Practical experience in zoo horticulture, amenity horticulture, countryside management, or a similar land-based sector.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of current horticultural, arboricultural, and conservation management practices and techniques.
• Up-to-date knowledge of health and safety legislation and best practices.
• A good level of literacy, numeracy, and IT skills.
• A qualification of at least Level 2 Diploma in horticulture (or equivalent), countryside management, or a 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.
• Able to work collaboratively as part of a team and with colleagues across the organisation.
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions; some tasks may be physically demanding.
• Availability to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends if required.

Benefits

• Annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays.
• Generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Life assurance scheme from the first day of employment.
• Complimentary tickets for Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo, with a discount in online and retail shops.
• Cycle to work scheme enabling you to lease a bicycle.
• Interest-free season ticket loan for eligible London-based employees.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK. ZSL encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a diverse team.