Today's Announcements

Please be aware that some areas of the zoo will be CLOSED from the following dates to allow us time to prepare for our Halloween events.
• From 25th September 2023, our Bears of the Rising Sun lower viewing area will be closed.
• From 2nd October 2023, our Elephant Bushwalk will be closed.
• From 9th October 2023, our Cheetah viewing area, opposite Komodo Dragons, will be closed.

Go digital and download the Colchester Zoo App.
Find out more here

Important Information

Current vacancies at Colchester Zoo

To apply, please complete the Colchester Zoo Application Form attached to the job description and email it to us along with your CV and covering letter.

Please note: Some of our Zoo Keeper vacancies are also placed on the BIAZA and Zoo Biology websites.

See our list below for all the current positions available:

Job Role:Closing Date:Job Info:Contact Email:
Admissions Assistant9th October 2023CLICK HEREadmissions@colchesterzoo.org
Kitchen Assistant16th October 2023CLICK HERElorraine@colchesterzoo.org

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to contact all of those not reaching the interview stage.

Animal based careers and work experience at Colchester Zoo

Here at Colchester Zoo we want to be able to assist in providing opportunities to gain and develop experience in zoo animal care, and provide real world learning for people who are passionate about working with animals. Please click on the link below for more information on our work experience offer.

Click here for the Work Experience Programme details

Click here for Career Pathway information

Click here for Information Packs about the zoo including Careers and Career Pathways

Volunteering at Colchester Zoo

Become an Animal Ambassador

Do you love the natural world? Do you want to contribute to saving species and habitats? Do you like talking to people about wildlife? Have you got one day a week to sDo you love the natural world? Do you like talking to people about wildlife? Have you got one day a week to spare? Then why not register your interest in becoming an Animal Ambassador, a voluntary role at Colchester Zoo! This role is based around sharing the amazing world of animals and Colchester Zoo with our visitors.

View role description
Registration of interest Form

Become a Zoo Host

Our mission at Colchester Zoo is to give guests a great visitor experience. If you love our zoo and want to be a part of it and you have time to offer, becoming a Zoo Host could be just the thing for you. Our commitment to excellent customer service is at the heart of this role, we are proud of our zoo and the conservation work we do and you will be at the forefront of sharing that enthusiasm with our guests.

CLOSED FOR REGISTRATION – PLEASE CHECK BACK AGAIN SOON

Future staff requirements

Please check the list above for any career vacancies available. We are unable to receive enquiries that do not relate to a specific Colchester Zoo job vacancy as listed above.

Important Information for Applicants

Under the immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 we are required to check that anyone taking up employment with us has the legal right to work in the UK.

All applicants invited to attend an interview will be asked to provide documentary evidence of this, and we will need to take a copy of these documents before work commences.

Please note that if you are a non EU citizen and you do not have the relevant Visa to work in the UK, we would only be able to apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship from the UK Border Agency if we can prove that we have met the Resident Labour Market Test, and that you meet the required points needed under the new points based system. For more information please see the UK Border Agency website www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.

Zoo Departments

A complete building team of carpenters, labourers, digger drivers, plumbers and electricians, responsible for the construction of new enclosures and buildings in the park, together with the maintenance of all our existing buildings.
From washer-uppers and cooks, to cashiers and servers, our Catering team is responsible for running the many catering outlets around the Zoo, providing our customers with an excellent level of service.
As our visitors’ first port of call when entering the Zoo, the team welcomes them into our admission foyer, runs our ticketing office and helps with queue management. The team also helps customers with booking school/group visits and the various animal experience products on offer, as well as selling our Zoo passes, PLUS any general enquiries our visitors may have.
This team is based in the park and deals with First Aid enquiries, any lost children and lost property! They also work behind the scenes to keep the Zoo running with stock control and orders.
The Play Area department are our main entertainment team and look after our smaller visitors! Supervising the Jungle Tumble soft play area and the Crazy Sand Shop, plus painting hundreds of little faces, as well as dressing up for themed events.
This is an extremely busy team that ensures the 60 acres of Zoo grounds are kept to the highest standards of cleanliness, making sure the bins are emptied regularly, the paths are kept clean and clear, and the toilet blocks are all maintained. This department is also responsible for giving our visitors a trip to remember by driving our Lost Madagascar Express train.
The Gardening team might be small, but they have a massive job on their hands maintaining and planting, not just the visitor areas, but the animal enclosures too!
Our busy Retail team can been seen running our new gift and souvenir shop, The Outpost, as well as assisting our admissions team in the main entrance building.
This team includes our learning coordinators who run public engagement events and coordinate school visits and school sessions. The team also coordinates work-based learning. 
This small team deals with all of the PR and promotions for the Zoo, and maintains and develops the Zoo’s online presence on the website, and all social media platforms. Whether it’s designing posters and signage, arranging filming for programmes or creating printed material, it’s a busy department! The team also helps to maintain the digital infrastructure around the Zoo, including purchasing processes, digital screens and operating systems.
A vital part of Colchester Zoo, dealing with job applications, ensuring that all of our staff get paid on time, making sure invoices are sent, and suppliers are paid!
Last but by no means least, the animal keepers form one of the largest teams at Colchester Zoo, ranging from our curators to our trainee keepers, they look after the daily needs of over 180 species to the highest standards possible. They also develop training techniques, which are being used by conservationists to protect animals in the wild!

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