Zoo Ranger (The Reserve)
We have an exciting opportunity for a number of Zoo Rangers to join our brand new engagement team at The Reserve, our new overnight experience, and play a central role in delivering immersive, educational, and exclusive activities for all ages.
As a Zoo Ranger at The Reserve you will:
- Interact with guests of all ages including children, families, and other audiences
- Be expected to deliver across a wide range of mediums including walking tours, talks, quizzes, play based activities, and storytelling
- Deliver engagement in fun, novel ways such as mascots, puppets, and roleplay
- Provide entertaining and memorable informal experiences in a luxury setting
- Have a sound knowledge of our global conservation work and the skills to deliver content in an accessible way
The Reserve
Chester Zoo’s brand-new safari-style luxury lodge accommodation opens from mid-August.
This unique destination is the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation, designed to protect and celebrate the natural world. Guests can immerse themselves in luxurious surroundings while enjoying animal experiences, enriched by the knowledge that their stay is helping fund Chester Zoo’s vital conservation work around the world.
To deliver this exciting project, Chester Zoo is working with TROO Hospitality, experts in luxury hospitality.
All exclusive guest activities are rooted in nature and led by expert Zoo Rangers, delivering experiences like no other.
The Reserve will open on 18 August 2025, and this role will start in July with a month's training schedule.
We will need you to be available for the last two weeks of July and first two weeks of August.
Working at Chester Zoo
As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development.
Within the Conservation Education & Engagement team we are proud to develop and deliver material to engage our visitors with our plant and animal collection and our worldwide conservation work through a range of diverse, fun and exciting educational experiences.
The Package
Multiple fixed term contracts from 1 July 2025 1 July 2026.
30 hour per week (12-month contract) x 3 positions
14.5 hour per week (12-month contract) x 2 positions
11 hour per week (12-month contract) x 2 positions
30 hour per week (6-month contract) x 2 positions
11 hour per week (6-month contract) x 2 positions
- Regular weekend, evening, and some early morning hours as required. This will include Bank Holidays. General hours of working will be between 1pm/4pm - 10pm. You will occasionally cover daytime operations for the wider Ranger Team. During the first month in role, flexibility to work 9am 5pm shifts may be an option
- Working hours are flexible across 7 days, rostered to support zoo opening hours and extra events. Flexibility is required. Additional hours will be expected during busy periods
- Annual leave entitlement (33 days including bank holidays based on 40 hours, to be pro-rated)
- Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus a number of complimentary tickets for your friends and family
- Cycle to work scheme
- Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
- Discounted gym membership
- Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
- Pension scheme with generous employer contribution
Our Requirements
- Experience of working with families and children in an informal or formal setting
- A dynamic and creative mind, along with confidence in performance of stories, shows, games, and interactive engagement
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage with a wide range of different audiences in a playful manner
- A good working knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office packages, as well as iPads and apps
- Good organisational and time management skills
- A positive attitude and the ability to work effectively under your own initiative and as part of a team
- The ability to adapt content to different audiences, and respond quickly and prioritise in a fast paced, changing environment
- Excellent customer service skills
- A sound knowledge of conservation, ecology, and biology
Although not essential, the following would be desirable:
- A degree or qualification in a relevant field e.g. biology, education etc.
- Experience of working in the hospitality sector
- A full driving licence valid in the UK
- A good working knowledge and experience of zoo conservation education
Please state in your cover letter which contract/s you would like to be considered for.
Due to the nature of the organisation and the role, this post is subject to a DBS check.
The closing date for applications is midnight Wednesday 18 June with a planned date for a group assessment centre on Monday 23 June 2025
