Voluntary student work experience

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums); England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Linton Zoo Conservation Park offers three voluntary work experience placements aimed at students in animal care and conservation. These placements, lasting 9-12 months, provide opportunities to gain hands-on experience in various zoo departments, including animal keeping and education, all while supporting career development in the field.

Qualifications

• Previous animal-related work experience (not essential).
• Training in basic research methods.
• Ability to assist with daily animal husbandry.

Responsibilities

• Assist with animal husbandry tasks including observations, nutrition, and cleaning.
• Deliver educational talks and animal experiences to visitors and groups.
• Complete research projects and build a portfolio throughout the placement.

Skills

Good communication skills

Adaptable to different working environments

Able to work in a team and independently

Physically fit for the demands of the post

Education

Students or recent graduates in animal care/conservation

Job description

Linton Zoo Conservation Park

East Anglia Closing date for applications is: 31st Dec 2025

Linton Zoo Conservation Park in Cambridgeshire are able to offer three work experience placements. These placements aim to give you a unique understanding of working for a small modern zoo and conservation organisation.
There is the chance to develop your skills across a variety of departments at including the animal keeping, education, conservation gardening and administration departments.
There is also the opportunity to complete research projects and dissertations during your placement. If you are required to complete a research project during your placement please indicate this at the time of your application.
You will be supported by our experienced team, we will provide valuable experience to add to your CV showing future employers that you are committed to a career in the zoo and conservation sector. Many of our voluntary students have gone on to secure careers in animal care or continuing onto further education.Over the years we have gained a great deal of expertise in the breeding of many species, we specialise in species which are critically endangered.

Student voluntary work experience placements are for 9-12 months (with a 1-month probationary period).Placements will be full time i.e. 5 days a week including weekend duties. The main role of the students will be to assist with the husbandry requirements of the animal collection.a

The programme is aimed at students undertaking a further or higher education course requiring a sandwich year in industry placement within their degree, or recent graduates who are seeking a career in the animal care/conservation sector or similar.

All placements are purely voluntary and as such it is with regret that wet cannot provide any financial support or expenses to those wishing to apply for these opportunities and we cannot guarantee emmployment at the end of the placement. To ensure that students are provided with a valuable experience, a training agreement will be completed and reviewed regularly, and a training record will be provided upon completion of the placement.

As this position is voluntary and therefore unpaid we know that this takes a level of commitment from individuals, therefore we aim to provide each student with a structured learning programme to help them in their future careers. We are very proud that many of our previous students have gone on to work as zoo or veterinary professionals or in other animal care or conservation roles.
Objectives of the placement
- To gain experience and understanding of the work of a zoo animal keeping department.
- To gain skills within the education and outreach department including delivering encounters and class room educational sessions.
- To deliver educational talks and animal experiences at the zoo to visitors and groups.
- To apply own personal skills and take ownership of a series of tasks and/or a research project.
- To reflect on training and experience throughout the placement.

Anticipated tasks/training provided
- Assisting with daily animal husbandry e.g. behavioural and health observations, nutrition, cleaning, enrichment provision, enclosure modification, gardening skills etc.
- Observations of animals and recording of relevant information.
- Training in basic research methods.
- Visitor interaction e.g. answering visitor questions in a polite and sensitive manner.
- Assisting with student/volunteer supervision at the direction of the head keeper.
- Training in animal-management related computer software.
- Training in all aspects of the company’s code of practice
- Comprehensive portfolio building

Skills Required
- Previous animal-related work experience (not essential)
- Good communication skills.
- Adaptable to different working environments.
- Able to work in a team and independently.
- Physically fit for the demands of the post.

Apply for this job:

Please send in your CV and a covering letter explaining why you wish to apply for this role. If we feel we have a position to offer you, we will return an application form by email to take you to the next stage of application.Unfortunately we may not be able to respond to every applicant but thank you for your interest in this role.

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BIAZA, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY

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)