CAREERS AT CHESTER ZOO
Aquarist
Job reference: 001708
Salary: £27,500
Closing date: 02/08/2026
Department: Not specified
Location: Chester
Employment type: Fixed Term
Hours Per Week: 40
Job Description
Aquarist
Fixed term 6 month, full time contract.
We now have an exciting new role for an outstanding Aquarist. Reporting to the Aquarium Assistant Team Manager, you will be part of a dedicated team of aquarist as a part of a wider Ectotherms department and will assist other teams across site when needed.
We are Chester Zoo
We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 30,000 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
The role will involve working within the Ectotherms Department based in the aquarium team to maintain the aquatic habitats across the zoo. This involves routine maintenance of displays and life support systems, from 20 litre breeding tanks to 200,000 litre mixed species displays.
The successful candidate will support the aquarium team in daily management of display habitats and off show holding, and contribute towards improvements to water quality monitoring and management. The candidate will be expected support breeding and maintaining live food cultures, conservation projects monitoring and maintaining fish health and disseminating information.
The successful candidate will have:
• A HND or degree level qualification in a zoological related science or equivalent practical experience
• Experience of animal husbandry, specifically with freshwater and marine organisms
• Outstanding observational skills, attention to detail and be committed to ensuring the highest possible standards of animal health and welfare are met
• A understanding of the contribution that ex situ populations can make to conservation, education and applied research
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and confident in delivering presentations as participating in dissemination of work
• Competency in the use of computers and basic software packages. Experience of using ZIMS would be advantageous
• Good team working skills as well as being able to work on short and long-term projects independently
The Package
• Fixed term 6 month contract
• Working hours will be 40 per week worked 10 days out of 14, including weekends and Bank Holidays as rostered.
• £27,500 per annum, pro rata
• 33 days annual leave pro rata
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme
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 and every 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 600 permanent and 500 temporary 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?
Closing date for applications will be 2 August 2026