Biodiversity Assistant

We are Chester Zoo, and for over 80 years we’ve been a leading conservation and education charity, and an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction.

We’re also a team of passionate, talented, enthusiastic and expert people, doing everything we can to keep the zoo going, from feeding the animals to discovering new conservation ideas, and giving our 1.7 million visitors an inspirational day out. We work hard because we love animals, we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and we want to be the best zoo in the world!

If you think you can help us to achieve that, then we’d love to hear from you.

Chester Zoo has a well-established Field Programmes team responsible for co-ordinating a diverse portfolio of field conservation activities worldwide. Through our six regional field conservation programmes we have major commitments to save threatened species and habitats in a range of biodiversity hotspots worldwide.  Conservation activities involve strong partnerships with various organisations and complement and interact with the zoo’s ex-situ conservation activities.

The Biodiversity Assistant post is an 18 month fixed term position supporting the work of the Biodiversity Officer to manage and develop the UK Wildlife and Europe Programme. It is designed to provide the post holder with work experience and skills for future employment in the UK conservation sector.

This role involves:
•    Providing support to the project manager during construction of Phase 2 of the Chester Zoo Nature Reserve
•    Implementation of a systematic monitoring and evaluation plan for the CZ Nature Reserve
•    Development of a habitat management plan for the CZ Nature Reserve
•    Assisting with delivery of the Wildlife Connections campaign
•    Assisting with new and existing Chester Zoo UK Wildlife projects, helping with monitoring and evaluation in particular
•    Working on partnership projects to gain a broad range of work experience
•    Representing CZ at regional meetings and conferences

The successful applicant will have:
•    a degree in a conservation or ecology related discipline, or an equivalent level of experience demonstrating a good understanding of biodiversity conservation
•    excellent verbal and written communication skills, including report writing experience
•    excellent time management and organisational skills
•    IT literacy
•    Team working skills
•    Initiative and ability to work independently
•    A passion for UK wildlife and good identification skills in a range of taxa
•    Experience in a range of recognised field survey techniques for at least two different broad taxon groups



Practical experience of habitat management techniques, coordinating volunteer groups, and organising outdoor events, plus basic GIS skills, and an understanding of UK wildlife law would also be advantageous.

Routine hours are 35 hours per week worked from 9 – 5, with a one hour lunch break, over Monday to Friday. Some weekend and evening working will be required, for which time off in lieu will be given. Salary is £17,264 per annum.  In addition we offer a range of amazing benefits including:

•    a Defined Contribution Pension Scheme, with high contribution levels paid by the employer
•    health care insurance
•    excellent company sick pay arrangements available after 12 months service
•    25 paid holidays, in addition to bank holidays pro rata to service
•    20 free admittance tickets per year for family/friends
•    staff discount from restaurants and retail shops plus a subsidised staff canteen
•    free entry to affiliated zoo’s and collections through BIAZA
•    access to West Cheshire Credit Union
•    child care vouchers
•    free car parking
•    uniform

Disclosure and Barring Service checks may be made for this post.

To apply for this position, please provide your current CV and covering letter stating why you believe you should be considered for our Biodiversity Assistant role to http://www.chesterzoo.org/footer/careers.

Closing date for applications is 17th July 2016.