Learning Volunteers, Whipsnade Zoo 2018​

• Do you want to share your passion for animals and conservation?
• Could you help give our visitors a great day out?

Our Learning Volunteers are the difference between a good day out and a great day for our Zoo visitors. They undertake tasks that are important to ZSL’s mission to achieve and promote the conservation of animals and their habitats. Public engagement is vital and this is where you can help.

You don’t need to be an animal expert, just have an interest in the natural world and conservation, and a passion for sharing this with other people.

Our Learning Volunteers are located in some of our key exhibits, including our Lemur Walkthrough and our Butterfly House.  They run a variety of touch tables and interactive activities which help our visitors to discover more about what makes animals amazing.

There is also the opportunity to get involved in some of the events which regularly take place at Whipsnade Zoo, such as Special Children's Day and our yearly Sunset Safari.

We would like you to volunteer for one day a week during the week or once every fortnight at the weekend.  Ideally you would be at the Zoo from 10.15 to approximately 5pm, although this can vary for some volunteers.  We would like people to be able to commit to volunteering for at least a year.

WE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING FOR VOLUNTEERS ON WEEKENDS AND MONDAYS ONLY.

Please note there is no direct contact with animals in this role.  It is based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, which is in a rural Bedfordshire location with limited public transport.

Person Specification

• An interest in animals and conservation.
• Friendly, outgoing people who are articulate, confident, and at ease with approaching visitors.
• People who understand what great customer service entails and deliver it consistently.
• Reliability, commitment and regular attendance.
• A willingness to listen, learn and keep up to date.
• A good degree of fitness as you will need to walk across the Zoo from one exhibit to another. Activities are mostly standing up and, while a good part of the day is out of doors in all weathers, some activities take place in a tropical climate!

What do volunteers get out of it?

• A chance to be in a team of friendly, like-minded people - other volunteers.
• An opportunity to be involved in an international conservation charity.
• Training and an opportunity to learn new skills.

To Apply

Applicants will need to upload their CV and answer the screening questions (detailing your relevant experience, interest and availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this role online" button above.  

Our recruitment is currently on-going and we will invite suitable candidates for an informal interview when their applications are received.

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.