So You Want To Work In A Zoo? Look No Further Than Our Complete Guide To Zoo Jobs

About Zoo Jobs
If you love wild or exotic animals then, chances are, you have visited zoos and safari parks to enjoy watching them, learning more about them and learning about any conservation projects that the zoo might be involved in. Zoo jobs and careers could be very rewarding if you are the type of person who loves this environment and you might be surprised at the number of different types of zoo jobs you could do. Whether you are a school leaver looking to do zoo apprenticeships and other types of jobs, a student looking to do zoo summer jobs or part time and weekend work, or you are a graduate who is hoping to build a career working at a zoo, there could be the ideal role there for you. When it comes to zoo jobs, UK towns and cities have around 350 zoos, wildlife parks and aquaria for you to choose from. Maybe you have one close to where you are based that you enjoy visiting. As well as being visitor attractions for people to go and enjoy getting up close and personal with animals they wouldn’t normally see otherwise, zoos, safari parks and aquaria also carry out lots of other important projects as well as holding special events. Research, conservation and education are also central to their role. When you consider all of this, you can start to get a picture of many types of jobs in zoos and wildlife parks there could be. And not all of them involve working directly with animals so if you think your skills lie elsewhere, working at a zoo could still be a job or career option for you. If you love animals and you love the work that zoos do, why not use your skills to get involved and do rewarding zoo jobs.	Contents: What Types Of Zoo Jobs Are Available For Students? Can I Do Zoo Apprenticeships? What Types Of Aquarium, Safari Park And Zoo Jobs And Careers Are There For Graduates? What Types Of People Do Zoo Jobs? What Are The Benefits Of Zoo Jobs? Apply For Zoo Jobs In The UK

About Zoo Jobs

If you love wild or exotic animals then, chances are, you have visited zoos and safari parks to enjoy watching them, learning more about them and learning about any conservation projects that the zoo might be involved in. Zoo jobs and careers could be very rewarding if you are the type of person who loves this environment and you might be surprised at the number of different types of zoo jobs you could do.

Whether you are a school leaver looking to do zoo apprenticeships and other types of jobs, a student looking to do zoo summer jobs or part time and weekend work, or you are a graduate who is hoping to build a career working at a zoo, there could be the ideal role there for you.

When it comes to zoo jobs, UK towns and cities have around 350 zoos, wildlife parks and aquaria for you to choose from. Maybe you have one close to where you are based that you enjoy visiting.

As well as being visitor attractions for people to go and enjoy getting up close and personal with animals they wouldn’t normally see otherwise, zoos, safari parks and aquaria also carry out lots of other important projects as well as holding special events. Research, conservation and education are also central to their role.

When you consider all of this, you can start to get a picture of many types of jobs in zoos and wildlife parks there could be. And not all of them involve working directly with animals so if you think your skills lie elsewhere, working at a zoo could still be a job or career option for you. If you love animals and you love the work that zoos do, why not use your skills to get involved and do rewarding zoo jobs.

Contents:

What Types Of Zoo Jobs Are Available For Students?
Can I Do Zoo Apprenticeships?
What Types Of Aquarium, Safari Park And Zoo Jobs And Careers Are There For Graduates?
What Types Of People Do Zoo Jobs?
What Are The Benefits Of Zoo Jobs?
Apply For Zoo Jobs In The UK

What Types Of Zoo Jobs Are Available For Students?
As well as the obvious financial benefits, student jobs are a fantastic way to get some concrete evidence of work experience on your CV for when you apply for graduate jobs in the future. These jobs could be directly related to your future career or you can use the role to show how you have been proactive and developed transferable skills. If you are hoping to do zoo jobs as a future career, then working at a zoo on a seasonal or part time basis shows your commitment to this. Competition for zoo jobs can be stiff so if you have work experience or you have volunteered in a zoo whilst being a student, this can boost your position and help you stand out above the competition. Wildlife park and zoo summer jobs could be part time animal jobs but there are also lots of other roles you could consider, too. So if you want to know how to work at a zoo and are looking to get a foot in the door, let’s take a look at some great ideas for zoo jobs that would be suitable for students: Catering Jobs: Whether it’s for special events or catering to feed all the visitors who come to the zoo on a daily basis, people want to eat and drink whilst they are there. Zoo jobs could be in catering services. Some zoos and animal parks have restaurants with full table service so waiting on jobs could be available. Food service from kiosks could also be an option. If the kitchen area is more your thing, how about working at a zoo as a commis chef or a kitchen porter, for example? Retail Jobs: Zoo work doing retail roles could be very rewarding for those of you who love to deal directly with customers and are also comfortable handling cash. You might be working in the souvenir shop or you could be working with kids, painting faces and handling the cash sales from that. Customer Experience: Are you a people person? Depending on the types of aquarium or zoo jobs on offer at your local animal park, there are usually roles - often seasonal - for people who want to make sure visitors get the best from their experience. This could be working at the admissions desk, dealing with customer queries, keeping public areas clean and safe for guests. Voluntary Zoo Jobs: If you are really committed to working in zoos and want to contribute your time, zoo jobs often come in the form of voluntary work. London zoo jobs, for example, and roles at other large animal parks can be in the form of volunteer work. You would be part of a team of hundreds of other volunteers. Volunteer zoo jobs can be working with qualified staff such as doing assistant zoo keeper jobs, working with vets and animal nutritionists. Other voluntary zoo jobs could be working with children on school visits. Voluntary work can be a great stepping stone to working at a zoo in the future. Zoo Internships, Work Experience & Taster Courses: Internships, work experience and taster sessions are all ideal for students who are thinking about working with animals in some form in the future doing jobs in zoos and wildlife parks, not to mention aquaria. Some of this work experience could be as part of your university course or they can be good experience for those taking a gap year or for graduates looking to build up some practical experience. Conservation, research and working directly with animals could all be involved with work experience and taster sessions.

What Types Of Zoo Jobs Are Available For Students?

As well as the obvious financial benefits, student jobs are a fantastic way to get some concrete evidence of work experience on your CV for when you apply for graduate jobs in the future. These jobs could be directly related to your future career or you can use the role to show how you have been proactive and developed transferable skills.

If you are hoping to do zoo jobs as a future career, then working at a zoo on a seasonal or part time basis shows your commitment to this. Competition for zoo jobs can be stiff so if you have work experience or you have volunteered in a zoo whilst being a student, this can boost your position and help you stand out above the competition.

Wildlife park and zoo summer jobs could be part time animal jobs but there are also lots of other roles you could consider, too. So if you want to know how to work at a zoo and are looking to get a foot in the door, let’s take a look at some great ideas for zoo jobs that would be suitable for students:

Catering Jobs: Whether it’s for special events or catering to feed all the visitors who come to the zoo on a daily basis, people want to eat and drink whilst they are there. Zoo jobs could be in catering services. Some zoos and animal parks have restaurants with full table service so waiting on jobs could be available. Food service from kiosks could also be an option. If the kitchen area is more your thing, how about working at a zoo as a commis chef or a kitchen porter, for example?
Retail Jobs: Zoo work doing retail roles could be very rewarding for those of you who love to deal directly with customers and are also comfortable handling cash. You might be working in the souvenir shop or you could be working with kids, painting faces and handling the cash sales from that.
Customer Experience: Are you a people person? Depending on the types of aquarium or zoo jobs on offer at your local animal park, there are usually roles - often seasonal - for people who want to make sure visitors get the best from their experience. This could be working at the admissions desk, dealing with customer queries, keeping public areas clean and safe for guests.
Voluntary Zoo Jobs: If you are really committed to working in zoos and want to contribute your time, zoo jobs often come in the form of voluntary work. London zoo jobs, for example, and roles at other large animal parks can be in the form of volunteer work. You would be part of a team of hundreds of other volunteers. Volunteer zoo jobs can be working with qualified staff such as doing assistant zoo keeper jobs, working with vets and animal nutritionists. Other voluntary zoo jobs could be working with children on school visits. Voluntary work can be a great stepping stone to working at a zoo in the future.
Zoo Internships, Work Experience & Taster Courses: Internships, work experience and taster sessions are all ideal for students who are thinking about working with animals in some form in the future doing jobs in zoos and wildlife parks, not to mention aquaria. Some of this work experience could be as part of your university course or they can be good experience for those taking a gap year or for graduates looking to build up some practical experience. Conservation, research and working directly with animals could all be involved with work experience and taster sessions.

Can I Do Zoo Apprenticeships?
If full time study at university is not your thing but you are really keen to work with animals doing zookeeper jobs in the future or other animal care roles, then it could be possible to do zoo Apprenticeships at some zoos, wildlife parks and aquaria. Depending on the type of facility you are working in, your zoo Apprenticeships pathway will be determined by the types of animals you are working with. Roles such as trainee zookeeper jobs and other roles in animal management could be available as you work through your Apprenticeship. On successful completion of your Animal Care Apprenticeship, you will be awarded the relevant qualifications. You can continue to do further courses and professional qualifications as you progress your career. Be aware that if you are thinking of becoming a zookeeper in the future, you will need to be physically fit as the role is hands on and demanding. You will be working outside in all types of weather for much of the time. Some zoo Apprenticeships could be available for those of you who are looking to become horticulturalists, too.

Can I Do Zoo Apprenticeships?

If full time study at university is not your thing but you are really keen to work with animals doing zookeeper jobs in the future or other animal care roles, then it could be possible to do zoo Apprenticeships at some zoos, wildlife parks and aquaria. Depending on the type of facility you are working in, your zoo Apprenticeships pathway will be determined by the types of animals you are working with.

Roles such as trainee zookeeper jobs and other roles in animal management could be available as you work through your Apprenticeship. On successful completion of your Animal Care Apprenticeship, you will be awarded the relevant qualifications. You can continue to do further courses and professional qualifications as you progress your career. Be aware that if you are thinking of becoming a zookeeper in the future, you will need to be physically fit as the role is hands on and demanding. You will be working outside in all types of weather for much of the time.

Some zoo Apprenticeships could be available for those of you who are looking to become horticulturalists, too.

What Types Of Aquarium, Safari Park And Zoo Jobs And Careers Are There For Graduates?
As with many types of organisations, there are lots of different types of zoo work that graduates could do. As with the student zoo jobs listed above, some of these could be directly related to animal care and research whilst other roles will require skills in other areas. So, for some zoo career opportunities, your qualifications don’t need to be science or animal related. If you are looking to do further qualifications after your degree, it is possible to do Masters and PhD work at zoos who have teamed up with nearby universities. Let’s take a look at some of the options available for graduates looking into working at a zoo. Aquarist / Zookeeper Jobs - Aquarist and zookeeper jobs are for those graduates who are the types of people who want to be really hands on with their animals. Depending the size on the zoo or aquarium, you could be looking after a particular species or you might have a more general role. Graduates are likely to start off in trainee zookeeper jobs or aquarist roles. A degree in zoo animal management or similar can be an advantage in landing zookeeper jobs, as well as clear evidence, of course, that you love working with animals. Zoo Veterinarian Jobs - If you are thinking about becoming a vet and doing a veterinary degree at university, specialising in exotic animals could see you working at a zoo in the future. Zoology Jobs - If research, observation, study and testing is more your thing, graduate zoo jobs in the zoology field might suit you. You will need to do a degree in animal related subjects for zoology jobs. Education Officer - When we think of education jobs, we often related these roles to teaching in the classroom. However, if you have a love of animals and are keen to pass on your enthusiasm to children, graduate jobs in zoos and wildlife parks could be as an education officer. A PGCE or other teaching qualification is preferable as is an ability to demonstrate your commitment to the work of zoos and other wildlife parks. IT - From designing educational software to running and maintaining systems that aid the day to day running of the zoo, graduate zoo jobs doing IT could be varied, challenging and rewarding, too. Fundraising Jobs- Graduate jobs in charity work often centre around your particular passion. If animals and conservation are your passion, working at a zoo as part of the fundraising team could be very rewarding. Finance Jobs - Finance graduates can combine their skill with numbers and their love of animals by doing finance jobs. All zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums will have a finance department and you could be a part of the team that keeps these places’ finances in check. Horticulture/Landscape Architect - If you have a degree in horticulture, graduate zoo jobs could be in this field. As well as animal care and conservation, some zoos also have horticulture areas. You could also be involved in the creation of habitats for some of the animal enclosures. Conservation - As well as doing zoo conservation jobs, as you progress your career, perhaps by doing Masters or PhD work, you could also work for other organisations and charities, including working abroad. Curator - If you are highly organised, a decision maker and a multitasker, zoo work as a curator could be ideal for you. Graduate zoo jobs as a curator could be looking after one particular area of the zoo and you can develop your career by becoming a curator of a whole zoo. Animal management degree subjects are necessary and also postgraduate study. PR & Marketing - Want to make sure the news about all the good work going on at your local zoo or wildlife park gets out there? Graduate PR jobs and marketing jobs in zoos and wildlife parks could be the way forward for you. These are just some of the different types of graduate zoo career opportunities out there. There could be lots more to choose from, depending on the size and nature of the zoo, wildlife park or aquarium you are applying to.

What Types Of Aquarium, Safari Park And Zoo Jobs And Careers Are There For Graduates?

As with many types of organisations, there are lots of different types of zoo work that graduates could do. As with the student zoo jobs listed above, some of these could be directly related to animal care and research whilst other roles will require skills in other areas. So, for some zoo career opportunities, your qualifications don’t need to be science or animal related.

If you are looking to do further qualifications after your degree, it is possible to do Masters and PhD work at zoos who have teamed up with nearby universities.

Let’s take a look at some of the options available for graduates looking into working at a zoo.

Aquarist / Zookeeper Jobs - Aquarist and zookeeper jobs are for those graduates who are the types of people who want to be really hands on with their animals. Depending the size on the zoo or aquarium, you could be looking after a particular species or you might have a more general role. Graduates are likely to start off in trainee zookeeper jobs or aquarist roles. A degree in zoo animal management or similar can be an advantage in landing zookeeper jobs, as well as clear evidence, of course, that you love working with animals.
Zoo Veterinarian Jobs - If you are thinking about becoming a vet and doing a veterinary degree at university, specialising in exotic animals could see you working at a zoo in the future.
Zoology Jobs - If research, observation, study and testing is more your thing, graduate zoo jobs in the zoology field might suit you. You will need to do a degree in animal related subjects for zoology jobs.
Education Officer - When we think of education jobs, we often related these roles to teaching in the classroom. However, if you have a love of animals and are keen to pass on your enthusiasm to children, graduate jobs in zoos and wildlife parks could be as an education officer. A PGCE or other teaching qualification is preferable as is an ability to demonstrate your commitment to the work of zoos and other wildlife parks.
IT - From designing educational software to running and maintaining systems that aid the day to day running of the zoo, graduate zoo jobs doing IT could be varied, challenging and rewarding, too.
Fundraising Jobs- Graduate jobs in charity work often centre around your particular passion. If animals and conservation are your passion, working at a zoo as part of the fundraising team could be very rewarding.
Finance Jobs - Finance graduates can combine their skill with numbers and their love of animals by doing finance jobs. All zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums will have a finance department and you could be a part of the team that keeps these places’ finances in check.
Horticulture/Landscape Architect - If you have a degree in horticulture, graduate zoo jobs could be in this field. As well as animal care and conservation, some zoos also have horticulture areas. You could also be involved in the creation of habitats for some of the animal enclosures.
Conservation - As well as doing zoo conservation jobs, as you progress your career, perhaps by doing Masters or PhD work, you could also work for other organisations and charities, including working abroad.
Curator - If you are highly organised, a decision maker and a multitasker, zoo work as a curator could be ideal for you. Graduate zoo jobs as a curator could be looking after one particular area of the zoo and you can develop your career by becoming a curator of a whole zoo. Animal management degree subjects are necessary and also postgraduate study.
PR & Marketing - Want to make sure the news about all the good work going on at your local zoo or wildlife park gets out there? Graduate PR jobs and marketing jobs in zoos and wildlife parks could be the way forward for you.

These are just some of the different types of graduate zoo career opportunities out there. There could be lots more to choose from, depending on the size and nature of the zoo, wildlife park or aquarium you are applying to.

What Types Of People Do Zoo Jobs?
Whether you are a school leaver, student or graduate, whatever types of zoo jobs you choose to do, most people are there because they are committed to the care and conservation of wild animals. This can be directly or indirectly. If you are a student doing catering jobs, for example, you will still be dealing with the general public who are visiting the zoo to see and learn about the animals there. Your friendliness and professionalism will contribute towards their positive experience at the zoo. From professionals doing hands on jobs with animals such as those in zoo keeper jobs, vets, biologists, to office staff to education teams to catering and entertainment staff, all of these people come together as one to make a zoo, wildlife park or aquarium work successfully. Each role requires its own skill set and people with particular traits but, ultimately, they all come together as one to keep the place running successfully.

What Types Of People Do Zoo Jobs?

Whether you are a school leaver, student or graduate, whatever types of zoo jobs you choose to do, most people are there because they are committed to the care and conservation of wild animals. This can be directly or indirectly.

If you are a student doing catering jobs, for example, you will still be dealing with the general public who are visiting the zoo to see and learn about the animals there. Your friendliness and professionalism will contribute towards their positive experience at the zoo.

From professionals doing hands on jobs with animals such as those in zoo keeper jobs, vets, biologists, to office staff to education teams to catering and entertainment staff, all of these people come together as one to make a zoo, wildlife park or aquarium work successfully. Each role requires its own skill set and people with particular traits but, ultimately, they all come together as one to keep the place running successfully.

What Are The Benefits Of Zoo Jobs?
Working for a charitable organisation for the benefit of wild animals and their future. Being part of an organisation that educates people about these wild animals. Whatever types of zoo jobs you will be doing, the benefits will be in the rewards of knowing that you are part of that team.

Apply For Zoo Jobs In The UK
So, are you committed to zoo jobs and careers and think you have got what it takes to do zoo work? E4S advertise zoo jobs from entry level roles that will be suitable for school leavers and students, right through to graduate careers. One of the biggest sources of zoo jobs is Levy UK, a specialist in the hospitality and catering sector which recruits through the e4s website throughout the year. Take a look below now to see if there is any available work at zoos to match your skills and needs and get your zoo job application in today! Bristol Zoo Edinburgh Zoo Twycross Zoo Whipsnade Zoo

Apply For Zoo Jobs In The UK

So, are you committed to zoo jobs and careers and think you have got what it takes to do zoo work? E4S advertise zoo jobs from entry level roles that will be suitable for school leavers and students, right through to graduate careers. One of the biggest sources of zoo jobs is Levy UK, a specialist in the hospitality and catering sector which recruits through the e4s website throughout the year.

Take a look below now to see if there is any available work at zoos to match your skills and needs and get your zoo job application in today!

Bristol Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo
Twycross Zoo
Whipsnade Zoo