Toad Hall Animal Care Volunteer

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

Job summary

A conservation organization in Stroud seeks dedicated volunteers to assist in animal husbandry and educate visitors about amphibians. The role includes feeding, maintenance, and engaging the public through interactive presentations. Ideal for those passionate about wetland conservation and gaining hands-on experience. This is an unpaid position with significant opportunities for personal satisfaction and involvement in vital conservation efforts.

Benefits

Free entry to all wetland centres

Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships

Access to informative webinars

Qualifications

• Basic animal husbandry knowledge, particularly in amphibians, advantageous.
• Confidence and enthusiasm when engaging the public.
• Good physical health to handle manual tasks.
• Attention to detail to follow instructions.
• Ability to work independently under guidance.

Responsibilities

• Assist in animal husbandry, including feeding and maintenance.
• Engage the public through presentations about amphibians.
• Record data for life support systems.
• Maintain public and back of house areas.
• Support new projects and stock management.

Skills

Basic animal husbandry knowledge

Excellent customer service skills

Good physical health

Attention to detail

Ability to work on initiative

Job description

Overview

Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT. Closing date for applications is: 31st Oct 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:

• Generalanimal 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
• Adheringto 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.

Just to let you know, some of our roles are very popular. To help our teams and minimise disappointment for people kind enough to want to support us, we might take roles down before the closing date if we get a lot of applications. To avoid disappointment, please apply as soon as possible and include as much detail as possible in your application. If you do miss a role, or are looking for something particular, you can sign up to opportunity alerts.

If you are interested in volunteering for WWT but don\'t wish to apply online, please [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 so 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 charming opportunity, and others, and to apply, please visit our website:

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. If you wish to reach one of our members, please contact them directly.

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 Number is 1128168 and SC040783 (Scotland)