Volunteer Officer

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Volunteer Officer

We currently have an exciting vacancy for a Volunteer Officer to support our zoo volunteering projects and activities, working within our award-winning Conservation Education and Engagement team.

In 2024, we achieved the Investing in Volunteers award and launched our Plan for Volunteering. We are looking for someone to help us deliver our aims and maintain a high-quality volunteer experience.

We are Chester Zoo
We're not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that's home to 20,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We're not just the UK's most popular zoo. We're a major wildlife charity that's committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we're making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it's needed most. We are Chester Zoo, and we prevent extinction.

The Role - Volunteer Officer

This is a key role working as part of our professional team supporting the delivery of our volunteering programmes.

As a Volunteer Officer you will:

Reporting to the Volunteer Manager, you'll support people to make a meaningful contribution through volunteering. Including youth volunteers and volunteers who experience barriers to learning and participation. As part of a team, you'll work collaboratively with volunteers and staff to develop volunteer roles, creating new ways to engage visitors and amplify conservation campaigns.

In addition, you will:
Assist the administration of volunteers and their pastoral care, training and management.
Ensure all volunteering activities and roles are safe and risk assessed.
Plan and deliver volunteer events and projects to ensure volunteers feel valued and recognised for their contribution and impact.

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes...

We're a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.

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 nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office - where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The Package

• Six-month fixed term contract with potential to extend
• Hours of work are 35 hours per week within a 10 in 14 day roster system which will include weekends and Bank Holidays. A degree of flexibility to cover volunteer events will be required, with time off in lieu given for any additional hours worked
• 33 days annual leave pro rata
• Salary of £25,036.23
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off plus a number of complimentary tickets for your family and friends
• Access to healthcare plan
• Employer contributory pension scheme

Our Requirements - Volunteer Officer

• Experience in working with and supervising volunteers, including administration of rotas, supervising volunteers and managing recruitment.
• A demonstrable understanding of safeguarding issues and risk assessment.
• A passion and enthusiasm for volunteering, with a recognition of its impact and value for individuals and organisations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively under own initiative and as part of a team.
• Excellent presentation skills and experience of delivering engaging training sessions, preferably to a wide range of participant groups and especially to those who face additional barriers to learning.
• Experience in using Microsoft packages and digital technologies for public engagement, good written skills and the ability to develop resources.
• Strong organisational skills, including excellent time management, administration and planning skills, including producing reports and dealing with personal data.

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Prior knowledge of conservation and zoology would be advantageous, this is likely be demonstrated by a Zoology or Biological Science degree and/or experience of working within a zoo, conservation organisation or similar environment.
• Experience working with a range of community organisations, particularly from the voluntary, youth and adult learning sectors.
• Excellent customer service skills, alongside experience working with and/or supporting volunteers in a visitor facing environment.

More About Us

We're not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that's home to 20,000 incredible animals. We're not just the UK's most popular zoo. We're a major wildlife charity that's committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we're making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it's needed most. We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 27th October
Interviews: 8th November