Volunteering Opportunities

We want to make our zoo as accessible and friendly as possible, so we are looking for volunteers to provide a friendly welcome and to interact with and assist all our visitors. Prior knowledge of the zoo or the animals we have onsite is not necessary, but you do need to be enthusiastic and willing to learn.

Teamwork is vital to this role, punctuality and reliability are also important, as is adherence to security and health and safety procedures. You will be volunteering under the guidance of our Volunteer Coordinator and other zoo staff. You will be required to be on your feet for most of your time at the zoo, although seating may be provided in certain areas.

Visitor Engagement Volunteer Tasks:

• Providing a warm welcome to visitors
• Interacting with visitors in a helpful manner
• Acting as a guide to the zoo, supplying information about the animals and exhibits, and answering questions from visitors (or directing them to members of staff who can).
• Helping with special events
• Maintain security by observing and monitoring visitors and following health & safety rules and procedures

Why Volunteer at ZSH?

• Get involved in conservation
• Join a supportive, professional and enthusiastic team of like minded people
• Meet new people
• You will be provided with relevant training and given the opportunity to develop a range of skills within a zoo environment
• A chance to volunteer in beautiful surroundings, alongside our amazing animals

What are we looking for?

• People with an interest in animals and conservation
• Individuals who are friendly, articulate, confident and at ease talking to visitors
• An understanding of what great customer service entails and be happy to deliver this consistently
• Reliable and can commit to regular attendance
• A willingness to listen, learn and keep up to date with information
• People that demonstrate our core volunteer values: Enthusiasm, warmth, knowledge, confidence and flexibility

Requirements:

You must be over 17 years of age, able to commit to at least one day a week, including weekends, and able to make your own way to the zoo (as there is no public transport to the site).

We provide a full induction and training relevant to the role so can only consider long term volunteers.

We will require two references from previous employers, educators or other suitably professional individuals.

Please note: There is no direct contact with animals in this role.

Location: Onsite at Paradise Wildlife Park, White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, EN10 7QA

To apply, or for further information, please email Barbara Turner, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@pwpark.com

Do you have a passion for food and love interacting with people? Are you looking for experience in a catering environment, where no two days are the same? Then this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for!

We are looking for new volunteers to join our existing Catering Team, to make sure our visitors are well looked after, help keep our facilities clean and tidy and make sure our guests leave having had a wonderful experience.

Volunteers will need to commit to a minimum of one day per week throughout the summer (April – September), generally from 09.30 to 16.00 each day, (although days/hours are flexible).

We are looking for confident, talkative volunteers who are comfortable with being both inside and outside in all weathers and are able to stand for a few hours at a time. Training will be provided, but any relevant experience is a bonus.

Our conservation cabin is situated in the middle of the park, opposite the Red Pandas and next to the Big Cats. It is staffed exclusively by volunteers, with all profits going to support conservation projects across the world (everything from helping to protect endangered species to enhancing local areas to help native British Wildlife).

The role involves:

• A full range of retail activities, including arranging displays, serving customers, pricing, restocking and till management
• Engaging with customers to explain our fundraising purpose, conservation objectives and achievements to date
• Acting as an information point for visitors needing directions or assistance
• Helping to ensure all visitors have a wonderful day
• Attending special events, to help raise awareness of and funds for specific conservation projects

Paradise Wildlife Park is seeking volunteers to assist in the maintenance of the gardens and outdoor spaces at our wonderful Zoo.

We are not looking for huge expertise but people who are prepared to learn and be enthusiastic and creative in their approach to the tasks involved in maintaining the spaces that our visitors enjoy so much.

Tasks will vary on a daily basis and will include:

• Soil cultivation, digging, forking, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging, pruning and planting
• Care of the nursery areas: Growing plants, sowing seeds, planting bulbs, cultivating cuttings and transferring seedlings to pots and containers
• Lawn maintenance and cultivation
• Helping keep the gardens and site free from litter
• Support the animal park team with enrichment and planting for enclosures
• Interact with members of the public in a friendly and enthusiastic way

If you have some time on your hands, love being outdoors, think you may have green fingers and are friendly and enthusiastic, this could be the role for you!

All we ask is that you commit to at least one day per week, generally 08.00-17.00 in the Summer (April-Sept) and 08.00-16.00 Winter (Oct-March).