Seasonal Horticulturist

**SEASONAL HORTICULTURIST - GARDENS**

A work setting like no other - patrolling among rare giraffes and tigers, and within stunning gardens across a 128-acre estate

**The Role**

This is a key role working as part of our professional Gardens team taking responsibility for the maintenance and management of the garden areas and landscapes within the zoo and the indoor plantings within some of our tropical houses.

The Gardens Team is part of the wider Horticulture and Botany division which manages all of the zoo’s horticultural features, gardens and greenhouses in our 125 acre site, which includes 5 National Plant Collections and a Nature Reserve. We aim to create the greatest possible conservation impact for plants as well as animals.

**As a SEASONAL HORTICULTURIST - GARDENS you will**:

- Undertake all aspects of horticultural work in the outdoor garden and planted areas.
- Help to maintain the interior plantings within public areas.
- Use a range of horticultural equipment and machinery.
- Achieve an excellent standard of horticulture, essential for this world-class visitor attraction

**What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?**

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.
We are a founding member of British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), and we lead the way with pioneering conservation, research and education and driving the concept of modern zoos.

**Our Requirements**:

- Have an understanding of maintaining plants and carrying out general horticultural tasks.
- Be hardworking, reliable and work well in a team.
- Have some experience of using horticultural equipment and machinery.

**Although not essential, the following would be desirable**:

- Proven experience within a professional horticultural role.
- Full UK driving licence

**The Package**:

- You’ll be working 41 hours per week, 5 days out of 7 on a rota basis including weekends and bank holidays as rostered
- Temporary Contract (5 months)
- Salary £10.49 per hour
- 33 days annual leave per year (increasing with service)
- Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
- Access to healthcare plan
- Employer contributory pension scheme