CAREERS AT CHESTER ZOO

Retail Assistant - Artist

Job reference:001639

Salary:£12.21

Closing date:09/03/2026

Department:Retail

Location:Chester

Employment type:Temporary

Hours Per Week:8

Job Description

Retail Assistant - Artist

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical Retail setting – where else could you stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

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 seasonal team members.

As a part of our Retail team, your role will help to support our mission of preventing extinction whilst ensuring we continue to be an amazing, award winning visitor attraction.

The Role:

As one of our Retail Assistants Artists, you will bring energy, creativity, and enthusiasm to every guest interaction. Your passion for delivering an exceptional experience will help create magical moments that inspire our visitors to return time and time again. You could be working in any area of Retail and potentially get to take part in our festival and offsite work.

You’ll thrive in a team environment, while also being confident, imaginative, and self-assured in your own abilities. Retail Artists work across various areas of zoo retail; however, their specialism is face painting and art work. If you have experience or a natural talent in this field, we would love to hear from you.

The Package
• Temporary contract, starting 21st March 2026, until 6th September 2026.
• Rate of pay of £12.21 per hour regardless of age.
• Working on a rota basis with a minimum of 8 hours per week up to a maximum of 40 hours per week. Hours will vary and can be significantly more during busy periods. This includes weekends, bank holidays and evenings.
• Annual leave which accrues based on hours of work.
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus complimentary tickets for your friends and family.
• Free bus travel available on the X1 from Chester and Ellesmere Port train stations
• Staff discount in our restaurants and retail outlets
• Subsidised staff canteen
• Online Discount/Cashback scheme
• Free entry to affiliated zoo’s and collections through BIAZA including Blue Planet Aquarium

Our Requirements
• Be passionate about excellent customer service and feel confident communicating with visitors.
• Be positive, flexible and approachable with a “can do” attitude.
• Enjoy exceeding targets and up selling.
• Be comfortable and able to work outside for long periods in all weathers.
• Although not essential, experience gained within a retail or visitor attraction environment would be advantageous.

Interviews will be held on Saturday 7th, Sunday 8th and Monday 9th of March.

Flexibility in these roles is key, so the successful candidates must be able to work up to 5 days out of 7 every week. This will include evenings until 10pm, weekends, mid-week and bank holidays as rostered.