Wildlife and Wellbeing Assistant Manager

Chester Zoo; Chester; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Chester Zoo is seeking a Wildlife and Wellbeing Assistant Manager to lead community engagement in the Networks for Nature project. This role focuses on building relationships, developing wildlife activities, and promoting wellbeing through nature. The ideal candidate will have strong community engagement skills and a passion for conservation.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Staff pass for zoo visits

Cycle to work scheme

Healthcare plan

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating community programmes, preferably in conservation.
• Knowledge of health and wellbeing benefits of nature connection.

Responsibilities

• Lead community engagement for the Networks for Nature project.
• Develop and deliver wildlife and wellbeing activities.
• Manage the Wildlife and Wellbeing Officer.

Skills

Community Engagement

Partnership Development

Communication

Project Coordination

Capacity Building

Education

Relevant Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

35 hours per week, temporary contract until December 2028

We are Chester Zoo

We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to over 37,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re 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.

The Role

We now have an exciting new role for a Wildlife and Wellbeing Assistant Manager within our Conservation Education and Engagement Directorate. This role is part of the Networks for Nature project team.

Networks for Nature spans c60 square miles from the River Dee to the River Mersey, including Chester and Ellesmere Port. This is a collaborative partnership project working with Cheshire West and Chester Local Authority, The Land Trust, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Canal and River Trust, and Sustrans with the aim to drive nature recovery in a mixed-use landscape, creating diverse habitats for species to thrive now and for years to come. We will empower communities to have an active role in conservation action and stewardship and will focus on making nature more accessible to and inclusive for everyone to enable connection and improve wellbeing. To find out more about Networks for Nature visit Networks For Nature | Conservation at Chester Zoo.

The Wildlife and Wellbeing Assistant Manager will lead the community engagement aspects of the Networks for Nature project. They will establish new and maintain existing community relationships, and lead on the development and delivery of a diverse programme of wildlife and wellbeing activities, with the overall aim of building the capacity of community groups, community leaders and other stakeholders within Networks for Nature project area and increasing connection and access to nature for community participants from diverse backgrounds. The Wildlife and Wellbeing Assistant Manager will also lead the development of a growing area of work around green social prescribing and work with local healthcare professionals to develop programmes that meet the needs of the community to harness the power of nature and wildlife for wellbeing. The Wildlife and Wellbeing Assistant Manager will line manage a Wildlife and Wellbeing Officer.

We’re looking for someone who can:

• Partnership and audience development: Manage existing and build new relationships with community groups to support their continued participation in the project and commitment to creating habitats for UK Wildlife. Build effective working relationships with internal and external partners in support of our community engagement and organisational aims.
• Community programme delivery: Develop and deliver a programme of family wildlife clubs, wildlife and wellbeing activities, green social prescribing, meetings, consultations and other activities, enabling community audiences to engage with Networks for Nature, working within a framework agreed by Networks for Nature Project Manager and meeting the requirements of the project Activity Plan. Ensure activities are designed to meet community needs, connect people to nature and support wellbeing using robust and evidence-based methods such as five ways to wellbeing and five pathways to Nature Connectedness.
• Capacity building: Share knowledge and build capacity in the area of nature and wellbeing, both internally and with community partners across the NFN area. Continue to develop own expertise in this area and ensure that the NFN project is informed by the latest good practice in relation to nature-based wellbeing work.
• Resource development: Research, write and co-ordinate the production of learning resources to support participation in the NFN.
• Evaluation and reporting: Work closely with the Networks for Nature Project Manager and external evaluator to devise and deliver an evaluation programme for the Networks for Nature project, including collection and collation of data from project participants. Lead on the measurement of wellbeing outcomes across the project, working closely with the project evaluator and NFN Project Manager to ensure a holistic approach to evaluation and reporting.
• Compliance: Ensure that all activities delivered within communities are safe and appropriately risk assessed, inclusive and that safeguarding has been fully considered.
• Budget management: Take primary responsibility for monitoring the project budget relevant to community engagement, under the guidance of the NFN Project Manager and Senior Community Participation and Engagement Manager.
• Staff management and development: Manage the Wildlife and Wellbeing Officer, overseeing their training programme, and providing continuous support for their professional development.
  
  

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.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office – where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The Package

• Fixed term contract until December 2028
• 35 hours per week
• The postholder will work 5 days per week, with the flexibility to work evening and weekend to meet the needs of the project. This may enable some homeworking fitting around community delivery.
• Salary £27,938.29 per annum pro rata
• 33 days annual leave plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days (pro rota)
• 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

• An understanding & affinity to the organisation’s mission, vision & values, with an interest in the conservation of UK nature.
• Experience coordinating and administering community programmes and projects, preferably within a zoo, aquarium or other environmental education or conservation focused organisation and with high levels of participation/co-development.
• Subject knowledge: The post holder will have knowledge and understanding of the health and wellbeing benefits of fostering a connection to nature, including practical understanding of the evidence-based models used in this area. The post holder also requires a working knowledge of conservation and the key issues threatening the natural world today, particularly with a focus on UK native species.
• Experience working collaboratively with a wide range of community partners, including stakeholder engagement.
• Experience of using learning programmes to bring about social change, ideally encouraging sustainable behaviours and supporting wellbeing.
• Relevant experience leading training and/or delivering workshops with a range of audiences from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Experience developing high quality resources for learning, both paper based and digitally.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, demonstrated through a wide range of experience presenting to different audiences, teaching and delivering learning in different formats (workshops, presentations, talks, tours etc.)
• Experience coordinating and administering projects with demonstrable project coordination skills and knowledge.
• Experience monitoring and evaluating engagement activities in a community context, preferably of activities that have a wellbeing focus.
• Attention to detail and proof-reading skills are essential.
• IT skills: Skilled in the use of all key Microsoft packages and use of digital technologies for public engagement.
• Organisational skills: Excellent time management, administration and planning skills. Ability to coordinate multiple project activities, meeting deadlines and ensuring appropriate quality control.
• Interpersonal skills: Excellent diplomacy and interpersonal skills. Ability to work effectively under own initiative and as part of a team, to work under pressure with positive attitude and also to enthuse and engage others. The role requires the post holder to work extensively across different departments and with external colleagues.
• Full clean driving licence.
  
  

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Relevant degree as demonstration of high level of subject knowledge.
• Experience of asset-based community development and understanding of Trauma-Informed Practices.
• Experience of working with SEND audiences, audiences with mental health/physical health support needs, economically disadvantaged audiences, or supported families.
  
  

Due to the nature of the organisation and the role, this post is subject to a DBS check.

The closing date for applications is midnight 1st June 2025

Shortlisting of applications and interviews for the role will take place while the advert is live; the advert will close once the successful candidate is found and it is possible this will be prior to the advertised end date. Candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.

Networks for Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.