Volunteering & Work Experience
Join Our Wild Mission – Volunteer at WILD!
Are you passionate about animals and conservation? Want to be part of something truly special? WILD Zoological Park is looking for dedicated volunteers (aged 16+) to join our team and support our Wild Mission!
Our mission is to inspire awe, compassion, and action for wildlife through exceptional animal care, immersive experiences, and powerful conservation education. As a volunteer, you’ll play a hands-on role in helping us care for our incredible animals, maintain their habitats, and contribute to the daily operations that make WILD such a unique and personal experience for our visitors.
We’re particularly looking for weekday volunteers, so if you’re available and eager to get involved, we’d love to hear from you!
To apply, please send your CV and a short cover letter explaining why you’d like to volunteer to Ben, our Head of Volunteer Operations, at info@wildzoo.co.uk
Join us in our Wild Mission!
Join Our Wild Mission – Complete your work experience at WILD!
Are you passionate about animals and conservation? Want to be part of something truly special? WILD Zoological Park hosts work experience placements for students (aged 16+)
Our mission is to inspire awe, compassion, and action for wildlife through exceptional animal care, immersive experiences, and powerful conservation education. As a student, you’ll play a hands-on role in helping us care for our incredible animals, maintain their habitats, and contribute to the daily operations that make WILD such a unique and personal experience for our visitors.
We’re encourage you to book your placements in advance to avoid disappointment. We host short term and long-term placements and we’d love to hear from you!
To apply, please send your CV and a short cover letter to Ben, our Head of Volunteer Operations, at info@wildzoo.co.uk explaining why you’d like to have your placement with us.
Join us in our Wild Mission!
What to Expect Volunteering at Wild!
Where to report to on 1st day
- Please report to Ben – Deputy Head Keeper for full induction and tour. If Ben is absent, please make your way to a member of senior staff for introduction.
- Reception will be closed when you arrive, therefore use the side gate. This is situated to the left of the reception doors.
- Down the steps, walk straight forward, keeping the zoo to your right.
- At the end of the alley is the kitchen, this is where keepers congregate in a morning.
- Before commencing work, you will be required to fill in an information form and sign our volunteer agreement document.
Hours of work
- Peak dates (Feb half-term until October half-term) 9:30 until 4:30
- Off Peak dates (October half-term to Feb half-term) 9:30 until 4
- Please bring a packed lunch – Café facilities are limited and expensive.
Work Tasks
- Assisting keepers in the daily running of the zoo
- Feeding animals, ensuring dietary requirements are met
- Cleaning of enclosures, restocking bedding, changing water
- Assisting in animal handling sessions, preparing animals for daily shows
Expectations
- To perform your volunteering role to the best of your ability.
- To meet time commitments.
- To provide your services to agreed standards.
- To follow the Company’s policies and procedures, including health and safety.
- To maintain the confidential information of the Company
- To which you may have access during your volunteering. – Throughout and after your placement.
- To provide suitable referees, if appropriate, who may be contacted and to agree to any other necessary checks being carried out.
- If you use your own vehicle when carrying out your volunteering role, to ensure that your vehicle is properly taxed and appropriately insured for such use. The vehicle must also be maintained and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- You agree to maintain a high standard of conduct, showing respect for staff, other volunteers, and guests, and following all park policies, including the Antidiscrimination and Harassment Policy.
- You agree to follow all animal related bio-security policies within the zoo.
Uniform
We do not expect all volunteers to purchase uniform for their placement. We do ask that all clothing is suitable and within our set guidelines. If you arrive unsuitable to work you will be sent home.
What we ask:
- Volunteer Name badge – Provided.
- Plain clothing – Black, Green, Khaki, or neutral tones.
- Safety Boots.
- No jewellery – (Especially hooped earrings)
- Hair MUST be tied back.
- Presentable appearance
Health and Safety
As a volunteer you will:
- Sign in and out every day of placement.
- Not wear any type of earphone or headphone when on placement.
- Not take keys home with you.
- Not pick up a staff radio without permission. – If you need to quickly alert staff to any situation, head straight to reception.
Public Interactions
As a volunteer you will be expected to interact with guests each day.
Some expectations are:
- Public interactions will be factually correct, informative, and not negatively reflect the zoos values.
- If you do not know the answer to a question, you will find a member of staff to provide the answer.
- You will always do your best to interact with public to create a positive experience.
- You will not raise your voice or argue with public at any time. All issues are to be reported to a staff member immediately.
- Swearing is not tolerated at all times around the zoo.
Mobile Phones
- Volunteers are allowed to keep mobile phones on their person.
- Phones are not to be used whilst working excluding breaks.
- Mobile phone notifications must be on silent.
Social Media
Social media can negatively reflect the zoo’s values if not respected. Please remember:
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Not to post photos of you and animals without staff permission.
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Not to comment on any post that could negatively impact the zoo’s reputation.
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To be mindful about the impacts of posts you make.
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Not to post any image which shows off-display areas (staff-only areas).
If we see a social media post that we deem unsuitable, we will ask you to remove this. If you do not remove the post immediately, your placement will be suspended.
Rota
Volunteers are expected to commit to a regular schedule that fits their availability and the park’s needs, especially during peak times like school holidays when guest attendance is high. Flexibility is valued, but consistent participation is necessary to ensure adequate support for daily operations.
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You must communicate any absences, illness, or holiday.
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You must communicate any changes to your volunteer days effectively.
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You must give reasonable notice (24 hours) to the company when you are unable to volunteer your services for any reason to enable the company to make alternative arrangements.
Educational Partnerships
Currently we have educational partnerships with Kidderminster College, Rodbaston College, Harper Adams University Glasshouse College & South and City College.
The aim of these partnerships is to be mutually beneficial.
Glasshouse are providing staff SEN training.
South and City are completing projects.
Rodbaston college are going to help us develop a secondary school program.
