Seasonal Visitor Experience and Retail Assistant

Wild Planet Trust; Paignton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Wild Planet Trust is seeking a Seasonal Visitor Experience and Retail Assistant at Paignton Zoo to enhance visitor experiences through ticket processing, customer service, and retail support. The role requires strong communication skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, offering benefits like 33 days paid holiday pro-rata and staff discounts.

Benefits

33 days paid holiday pro-rata (inclusive of Bank Holidays)

Branded uniform provided

Training provided

Free entry to zoos for staff and family

Discounts in catering and retail outlets

Free staff parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Discounts Platform

Qualifications

• Experience in customer service environment required.
• Basic knowledge of cash handling and tills necessary.
• Excellent verbal communication skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Process tickets and entries for visitors.
• Maintain merchandise presentation and assist customers.
• Supervise the soft play area including health and safety.

Skills

Customer service

Cash handling

Communication skills

Team-oriented mindset

Job description

Seasonal Visitor Experience and Retail Assistant

Location Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7EU Salary National Minimum Wage Application Deadline Monday, June 30, 2025 Job Summary

Wild Planet Trust is a registered education, scientific and conservation charity established in 1957 and based in Devon, UK. We own two zoos in south west England, plus two local nature reserves and a National Nature Reserve. We support conservation in the United Kingdom and overseas using funds generated by the people who visit the zoos and the expertise and dedication of our staff.

Paignton Zoo first opened its doors as the Torbay Zoological Gardens in 1923. Over 100 years later, our site, and work, has grown considerably and we are now one of the South West’s largest conservation organisations and top visitor attractions. There are over 230 species of animal that call Paignton Zoo home. As well as being a zoo, we’re also an award winning botanical garden with over 4,000 species on record.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Visitor Experience and Retail Assistant to join our team for our 2025 Summer until the end of October 2025 working a minimum of 10 hours a week. Working hours will vary over a 7 day rota, including weekends and bank holidays. The salary for this position is national minimum wage.

What will this role involve?

You will be responsible for the efficient and effective processing of tickets, entry to the zoo, visitors purchases and assisting in maintaining a high level of merchandise presentation. The role involves providing a warm and friendly welcome and answering visitors queries as well as selling a range of gifts and souvenirs to our visitors, processing these through the till accurately. You will supervisor our soft play area, ‘Jungle Fun’ which includes processing entry, maintaining health and safety standards and equipment cleaning. You will also assist with stock replenishment to ensure correct stock levels throughout the day. The role will also involve capturing correct information for gift aid, school and group visits as well as promoting our adoptions, experiences and memberships.

What skills and experience are required?

The ideal candidates will have experience of working in a customer service environment or similar as well as a basic knowledge of cash handling and using a till. You will need excellent verbal and communication skills and be able to work in a fast-paced environment. A team-oriented mind set is key, with a positive attitude and a willingness to work collaboratively with others.Experience of working in a retail provision would be desirable but not essential.

Benefits of joining our team include:

• 33 days paid holiday pro-rata (inclusive of Bank Holidays)

• Branded uniform provided (as required)

• Relevant internal and external training provided

• Free entry to our zoos for staff and your family

• Discounts in our Catering and Retail outlets (as applicable)

• Free staff parking

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Employee Discounts Platform

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

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