Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteer at Hertfordshire Zoo


Calling all animal lovers who are looking to gain some hands on experience! Why not come and volunteer at our Hertfordshire Zoo, based just outside of North London?
Whether you're looking to come and help us ensure our visitors have any amazing time, or you want to pass on a passion for conservation and a love of animals, we'll try and find you perfect voluntary role to help you gain that all important charity experience.
If you love being outdoors in the fresh air, are outgoing and energetic, and are looking to try your hand at something new, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

What are the benefits of Volunteering at Hertfordshire Zoo?


  • All necessary training will be given, so you’ll have the opportunity to learn something new and develop as an individual
  • As a valued member of the Hertfordshire Zoo team, you’re bound to make some new friends (whether human or animal) and will have some amazing experiences
  • Lunch is provided via a voucher for any of our food outlets, so you won’t go hungry!
  • You will also get a special volunteer uniform, which you can wear with pride
  • You’ll get the opportunity to be part of one of Hertfordshire’s best loved visitor attractions

If you are interested in one of our volunteer positions, please email Barbara on volunteer@hertfordshirezoo.com for more information or an expression of interest form.

Current Volunteer Roles

Volunteer Keepers Wanted

Do you love animals? Are you happy working outdoors and getting mucky in all kinds of weather? Do you have a passion for conservation and are happy to talk to people about the importance of looking after our natural world? If the answer is yes, we may have a wonderful opportunity for you!

We are currently looking for volunteers to help our Keeper team look after our wonderful zoo and the 1000+ animals that call it home. Prior knowledge of the zoo or the animals we have onsite is not necessary, but you do need to be dedicated, 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.

Volunteer Keeper Tasks:
• General animal husbandry:
o Cleaning & disinfecting enclosures (with and without animals in them)
o Helping with fruit and vegetable deliveries
o Preparing feeds & assisting with feeding animals
o Enrichment provision
• General site and enclosure maintenance:
o Weeding, raking & sweeping
o washing windows/railings & painting
o rubbish disposal and keeping staff areas clean and tidy
• General Customer Service:
o manning walk-through animal exhibits
o assisting with keeper talks and animal shows/displays
o interacting with visitors in a friendly, informative and helpful manner
• Maintain security and following health & safety rules and procedures

Why Volunteer at Hertfordshire Zoo?
• Excellent opportunity to build experience and get involved in conservation
• Join a supportive, professional and enthusiastic team of likeminded 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 a passion for animals and conservation
• Individuals who are friendly, articulate, confident and at ease talking to visitors
• Reliable, hardworking and can commit to regular attendance; 08.00-16.00 every Saturday and/or Sunday
• People who demonstrate our core volunteer values: Enthusiasm, warmth, knowledge and flexibility

Requirements:
You must be over 18 (16 if you are enrolled on an animal-related course), able to commit to at least one weekend day a week and can 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.
* Before applying, please ensure you are happy with busy, physical, hands-on nature of the role. There may be times when you are spending large chunks of your day cleaning enclosures, not always with the animals present. Our volunteers do not usually help directly with our Primate or Large Carnivore sections.

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

Visitor Engagement Volunteers

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 Hertfordshire Zoo?

  • 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 Hertfordshire Zoo, White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, EN10 7QA

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

Catering Volunteers

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.

Conservation Cabin

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

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