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The Plant Team Voluntary Work Placement

12-month Voluntary Work Placement from September 2023 to September 2024

Are you excited by the prospect of gaining invaluable work experience with one of Europe’s leading Zoological collections? Chester Zoo have an international reputation for conservation breeding programmes, research, and education, and these work placement opportunities are practical in nature with some theoretical input.

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…

• Spending time with the Nursery Team; specialising in nursery practices, the Gardens Team; specialising in amenity horticulture; and the Projects Team; carrying out small landscape projects within the Zoo, although there is some flexibility to suit your preferences
• Receiving on-the-job experience in the cultivation of species and using tools and equipment
• Attending monthly workshops, arranged to teach other Zoological management topics including basics of nutrition, collection planning, breeding programmes, conservation programmes, record keeping, enrichment, etc.

As part of the Gardens and Projects Team, you will construct and maintain the gardens, the wider estate (including nature reserve), and the animal enclosures.

In the Nursery Team you will grow and propagate a wide range of rare, endangered, tropical, and hardy plants for our gardens, our conservation work, animal enclosures, animal houses, etc.

The Work Placement

• Voluntary work placement for a period of 12 months commencing in September 2023 and finishing late August / early September 2024
• Comprehensive practical training covering a wide range of subjects, aiming to promote your future employability
• 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 occasional weekends, working 7am to 4pm

Our Requirements – Plant Team Voluntary Work Placement

• Studying for, or have completed, a Horticulture or plant science related course at Level 3 NVQ, HND or above. In some cases, students from other related courses (e.g. Zoology or Geography) will be considered
• Interest in all aspects of horticulture and the work of Chester Zoo
• Able 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 internship

There are 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 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.

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, highlighting your skills and why you believe you should be considered for this Plant Team Voluntary Work Placement. Applications from individuals living outside of the UK are welcome, but you will be expected to fund your own travel and relocation costs if successful.