Toad Hall Animal Care Volunteer

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums); Slimbridge; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A wildlife conservation organization in Slimbridge is seeking volunteers to assist with animal care and engage visitors in conservation education at the Toad Hall exhibit. Ideal candidates should possess basic animal husbandry knowledge, excellent customer service skills, and a passion for amphibians. Volunteers will play a vital role in biodiversity protection and will receive training, equipment, and support. This is an unpaid position with flexible commitments.

Benefits

Free entry to wetland centres

Volunteer discount on shopping

Access to webinars and talks

Qualifications

• Interest in amphibians is advantageous.
• Confidence and enthusiasm when engaging the public.
• Good physical health for manual handling.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily animal management duties.
• Engage visitors with interactive presentations.
• Conduct research and record observations.

Skills

Animal husbandry knowledge

Excellent customer service skills

Attention to detail

Job description

WWT Slimbridge (Centre)

Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT

Closing date for applications is: 31 October 2025

Salary: This position is entirely voluntary and is therefore unpaid.

About The Role

By caring for amphibians and supporting the Toad Hall exhibit, this role plays a vital part in conservation education and biodiversity protection. Volunteers help raise awareness of wetland species and the threats they face by engaging the public through interactive presentations, inspiring visitors to value and support wetland conservation.

What will you be doing

• General animal husbandry such as feeding, water changes, and exhibit maintenance.
• Data recording for life support systems.
• General maintenance of public and back of house areas.
• Helping with new projects and stock management.
• Conducting interactive presentations to engage the general public in the work of WWT, the amphibians in the Toad Hall exhibit, and wider conservation messages (training provided).
• Research and observations recording.
• Adhering to all bio-security and hygiene protocols across the Living Collections.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need.

To manage expectations, roles may be closed early if there is high demand. If you miss a role, you can sign up to opportunity alerts. If you wish to apply without online access, email [e-mail] or leave a message at 01453 891 231 with your name and number.

About You

Who are we looking for?

There are two parts to this role: assisting with daily animal management duties in the Living Collections department and engaging our visitors on the amphibians and the work of Living Collection. Both aspects are equally important, and we are looking for volunteers with the following:

• Basic animal husbandry knowledge, with a particular interest in amphibians would be advantageous.
• Excellent customer service skills; confidence and enthusiasm when engaging the public.
• Good physical health – this role will involve some manual handling.
• Good attention to detail and able to follow instructions.
• The ability to work on your own initiative under the direction of the Ectotherm team, following strict animal care protocols.

The role would be enjoyable for those who love working closely with animals, educating others, and gaining hands-on experience in an internationally important wetland site.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you\'ll love volunteering at WWT

• Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world.
• Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers.
• Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife - talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake...
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family.
• Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships.
• Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life.

Apply for this job

For more information on this opportunity, and to apply, please visit our website.

Contact information: BIAZA\'s office hours are 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. Contact outside of those times will get a response when we are next in the office. If your enquiry is urgent and you need a response before the BIAZA office reopens, please call Jo Judge on 07593 580602.

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales number 6789783. Registered Office Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY. Registered Charity Numbers 1128168 and SC040783 (Scotland).