CAREERS AT CHESTER ZOO

Voluntary Work Placements - Animal Husbandry

Job reference:001612

Salary:Unpaid Placement

Closing date:19/03/2026

Department:Animal & Plant Directorate

Location:Chester

Employment type:Fixed Term

Hours Per Week:40

Job Description

Animal Husbandry Voluntary Work Placement – 12-month voluntary work placements from September 2026

Are you excited by the prospect of gaining invaluable work experience with one of Europe’s leading zoos? Chester Zoo has an international reputation for excellence in conservation breeding programmes, research, and education.
Chester Zoo is 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.

What you’ll be doing…

You’ll be assigned to one of our animal keeping sections specialising in either birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. You will:

• Receive on-the-job experience in the husbandry of the species you work with, with hands-on husbandry tasks
• Attend monthly training workshops led by Chester Zoo specialists

The Work Placement

• Voluntary work placement for a period of 12 months commencing in September 2026 and finishing late August 2027
• Comprehensive practical training covering a wide range of subjects, aiming to promote your future employability, many of our past placements have gone on to follow careers in zoos
• Full uniform provided, along with lunch vouchers for the days you attend
• Monthly stipends of up to £120 per month may be payable based on appropriate expenses
• We expect full time hours, working 5 days out of 7 on a rota including alternate weekends, working 7am to 4pm (birds) or 8am to 5pm (all other sections)

Our Requirements

• A qualification or demonstrable interest in animal or environmental studies (HND, FdSc, Degree level, relevant experience, or career changers welcomed)
• Interest in all aspects of animal husbandry and the work of Chester Zoo
• Ability to work as an individual or as part of a team with excellent communication skills
• Ability to financially support yourself for the entire length of the work placement, however a bursary may be available upon a successful application

There are a limited number of placements that may provide the opportunity to combine your work placement with a ‘sandwich year’ at University. If this is something you are looking for, please specify this in the question section on your application form.

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation and encourage applications from all backgrounds.

You may be able to apply for a small number of bursaries of up to £4,000 available to support those who may face significant financial barriers to their studies, research and career development into animal science.

Interested in applying?

To apply for this opportunity, click the ‘apply for job’ button on this page where you’ll need to complete on online application form, attach your CV and answer some questions highlighting your skills and why you believe you should be considered for this Animal Husbandry Voluntary Work Placement. You are also required to create a short video answering some specific questions (further details are on the application form).

The Assessment Day for the placements will take place on Monday 20th April 2026 (8.30am – around 5pm).