CAREERS AT CHESTER ZOO
Visitor Operations Assistant
Job reference:001561
Salary:£12,698.40 per annum (pro rata)
Closing date:26/01/2026
Department:Visitor Operations
Location:Chester
Employment type:Permanent
Hours Per Week:16 & 20
Job Description
Visitor Operations Assistant
We’re on the lookout for brilliant individuals who can help us turn 'a day at the zoo' into 'the best day ever!'
If you’re an enthusiastic, people-loving, always-on-the-move individual who takes pride in achieving high standards and delivering service with a smile, then this is the opportunity for you!
The Role
As a Visitor Operations Assistant your role unfolds across the whole zoo where no two days are the same. You’ll always be on your feet and on the move and regularly walk up to 10,000 steps a day.
From clearing litter and keeping our facilities sparkling, directing traffic in our busy carparks where you're the first point of contact for our visitors, and ensuring everything from our seating areas to signage are always presentable. You'll play a vital role in helping to make the zoo a world class visitor experience.
Great customer service is at the heart of this role as you'll be actively engaging with visitors on our Lazy River Boat Ride, bringing Virtual Reality experiences to life, helping our younger visitors at our Off-Road Adventure track and lots more. You'll be a problem solver and quick thinker ensuring our visitors questions are answered in a professional and positive manner.
This is a hands on, physically demanding role that will involve carrying equipment, working outdoors in all weathers and staying active throughout your shift. A can-do attitude, high energy and a love for variety are essential when carrying out this role.
You'll be a part of a dedicated team that bring some of the zoos most spectacular events to life. From the magic of Lanterns & Light to the unforgettable summer thrills of Afterglow. You'll help to transform the zoo into an immersive, atmospheric experience for thousands of visitors. It’s fast-paced, lively and often full-on, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You'll have a front row seat to the excitement, variety and adventure in a team that doesn't just meet expectations but exceeds them. We'll provide the wonder. You share the joy.
The Package
We have multiple contracts available on a rota basis including weekends and bank holidays. Normal shifts fall between 7:00am and 6:00pm. Late nights for events will be required, these shifts normally fall between 12:00pm and 10:30pm. There is an expectation that you would work additional hours during busier periods.Contracts available are 16 hours weekend only and 20 hours per week working 5 days out of 7
• Permanent contract
• Salary of £12,698.40 per annum based on 20 hours per week (pro rata)
• 33 days annual plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%
Our Requirements
• Be an ambassador for Chester Zoo delivering excellent customer service and be a strong communicator
• Be confident, approachable and flexible with a “can do” attitude
• Be able to work outdoors in all weathers
Although not essential, the following would be desirable:
• A full driving licence valid in the UK.
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 over 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.
We reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier than the listed date if we have received a high level of applications. We recommend that if you do wish to be considered that you submit your application as promptly as possible as shortlisting, and interviews may be taking place whilst the advert is live