Registrar's Assistant and Records Coordinator

Chester Zoo; Chester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading wildlife charity in Chester is looking for a highly motivated Registrar’s Assistant and Records Coordinator. The role supports conservation efforts by maintaining accurate animal and plant records, managing record-keeping systems, and ensuring legal compliance. Ideal candidates will have a degree level education, strong IT skills, and a solid understanding of taxonomy, biology, and animal care. The position offers a competitive salary of £30,000 plus attractive benefits such as annual leave, healthcare plans, and a vibrant work environment filled with animals.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Cycle to work scheme

Healthcare plan

Employee assistance programme

Discounted gym membership

Pension scheme with employer contributions

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of taxonomy, biology, and animal care.
• Knowledge of international animal transfer legislation.
• Experience in a zoo or conservation environment is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support animal and plant transfers for legal compliance.
• Daily data entry ensuring accuracy in records.
• Respond to queries regarding historical records.
• Set up ZIMS access for users and provide training.
• Collaborate with teams for logistical and veterinary needs.

Skills

Taxonomy knowledge

Strong IT skills

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Organisational abilities

Proactive approach

Education

Degree level education or equivalent experience

Tools

ZIMS

Job description

Full time, permanent contract

We are Chester Zoo

We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 20,000 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 have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated Registrar’s assistant and records coordinator to join our Animal and Plant Division at Chester Zoo.

Working closely with the Registrar and Records Assistant, this role plays a vital part in supporting our species conservation efforts by ensuring our animal and plant records are maintained with exceptional accuracy and care. You’ll be a key figure in helping to manage the zoo’s extensive record-keeping systems, facilitate the movement of animals and plants between institutions, and uphold our commitment to legal compliance and data integrity. Whether it’s entering critical data into ZIMS, liaising with Government agencies on CITES and APHA/DEFRA requirements, or training colleagues in record-keeping protocols, this role will place you at the heart of our conservation mission.

What the role involves:

• Supporting all aspects of animal and plant transfers, including liaising with external organisations and obtaining relevant documentation for legal compliance (APHA/DEFRA, CITES, etc.)
• Daily data entry and interrogation of ZIMS and other databases, ensuring records are up to date, accurate, and in line with zoo licensing legislation
• Responding to internal and external queries, including historical records and reporting requests
• Setting up ZIMS access for users, supporting training and providing guidance on data entry
• Collaborating with animal and plant teams, vets, and Animal Heads of Department to support the logistical and veterinary requirements of transfers
• Assisting in identifying operational needs such as equipment, software, and resources
• Contributing to the planning of transfers and projects and identifying any issues that could impact success
• Supporting the preparation of departmental input into the zoo’s annual budget, particularly in areas relating to records and transfers
  
  

What we’re looking for:

• Degree level education or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• A solid understanding of taxonomy, biology, and animal care across a broad range of species
• Knowledge of international animal transfer legislation and processes
• Strong IT skills with proven experience using database systems; experience with ZIMS is highly desirable
• Excellent communication skills – written, verbal, and in-person
• Attention to detail, with excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively with multiple departments and external stakeholders
• A proactive approach, with the ability to respond flexibly to changing priorities and timelines
• Previous experience in a zoo or conservation environment is desirable but not essential
  
  

The Package

• Permanent contract
• Full time - 40 hours per week
• £30,000 per annum
• 33 days annual leave 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%
  
  

Closing date for applications is 22 August 2025.

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 nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal 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?