Plants Voluntary Work Placement

Do you have a passion for plants? Are you excited by the prospect of gaining invaluable work experience with our award-winning plant teams and collections? Here at Chester Zoo, you will work with a diverse collection of temperate and tropical plants while developing hands-on horticultural experience.

Chester Zoo has an international reputation for conservation breeding programmes, research, and education, and these work placement opportunities are practical in nature with some theoretical input.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Working with an extensive temperate outdoor plant collection across the Chester Zoo site.
• Gaining practical experience of the seasonal work needed to maintain herbaceous and shrub species.
• Horticultural maintenance of feature garden areas, including rock gardens, wildlife gardens, woodland gardens, and themed areas replicating geographic regions such as “Islands,” “Madagascar,” and the newly opened “Heart of Africa.”
• Supporting the maintenance of interior landscapes within visitor-accessible areas of indoor animal habitats.
• Contributing to horticultural development projects across the zoo site.
• Working with a diverse collection of tropical plants, including five National Plant Collections cultivated in the greenhouses.
• Growing plants as part of UK plant conservation projects in which the zoo is involved.
• Gaining experience and training in plant propagation, potting on, and watering a wide range of plants in a greenhouse or polytunnel.
• Attending monthly workshops covering zoological management topics such as nutrition basics, collection planning, breeding programmes, conservation programmes, record keeping, enrichment, and more.

Nursery Team Focus

In the Nursery Team you will grow and propagate a wide range of rare, endangered, tropical, and hardy plants for our gardens, conservation work, animal enclosures, and animal houses.

The Work Placement

• Voluntary work placement for a minimum of 6 months commencing in September 2025.
• Flexible commitment: part-time or full-time, 24–40 hours per week, worked over a minimum of 3 days (part-time hours can be accommodated for the right candidate).
• Comprehensive practical training across a wide range of subjects to promote your future employability.
• Full uniform provided, along with lunch vouchers for the days you attend.
• Monthly stipends of up to £120 may be payable based on appropriate expenses.
• Typical schedule: the Plants teams work 5 days out of 7, averaging 8 hours per day, between approximately 7:00 and 16:20 (start and finish times vary with the season).

Physical Requirements

This is a physical role involving outdoor working in all weather conditions. It includes heavy lifting, operating machinery, and being on your feet for long periods.

Additional Opportunities and Support

A limited number of placements may be combined with a university sandwich year. If this is of interest, please specify this in your application. A small number of bursaries of up to £4,000 may be available to support those facing significant financial barriers to their studies, research, and career development.

Our Requirements

• A genuine passion for growing plants.
• Interest in all aspects of horticulture and the work of Chester Zoo.
• Studying for, or having completed, a horticulture or plant science–related course at minimum Level 2 NVQ, HND, or above. In some cases, students from related courses (e.g., Zoology or Geography) will be considered.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively within a team as well as on your own initiative.
• Ability to financially support yourself for the entire length of the placement.

How to Apply

Complete the online application form and upload your CV and a cover letter highlighting your skills and why you should be considered for this placement.

International Applicants

Applications from individuals living outside of the UK are welcome. If successful, you will be expected to fund your own travel and relocation costs.

More About Us

Chester Zoo is a major wildlife charity committed to the recovery of endangered species globally. As the world faces an extinction crisis, we are making a significant contribution to conservation at a time when it is needed most. We are Chester Zoo, and we prevent extinction.