Wildlife and Wellbeing Officer

35 hours per week, temporary contract until 30th September 2028

We are Chester Zoo. We’re not just an amazing, award‑winning visitor attraction that’s home to 20,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most.

We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.

We now have an exciting new role for a Wildlife and Wellbeing Officer to join our Conservation Education and Engagement Directorate. This role is part of the Networks for Nature project team.

Networks for Nature spans approximately 60 square miles from the River Dee to the River Mersey, including Chester and Ellesmere Port. This is a collaborative partnership project working with Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Land Trust, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Canal and River Trust, and Sustrans with the aim to drive nature recovery in a mixed‑use landscape, creating diverse habitats for species to thrive now and for years to come.

We will empower communities to have an active role in conservation action and stewardship and will focus on making nature more accessible to and inclusive for everyone to enable connection and improve wellbeing. To find out more about Networks for Nature visit Networks For Nature | Conservation at Chester Zoo.

As a Wildlife and Wellbeing Officer, you’ll work closely with the Wildlife and Wellbeing Assistant Manager and Networks for Nature project staff to engage and empower communities to make a real impact on conservation efforts and to improve access to nature. You will support with maintaining and establishing community relationships, supporting the development and delivery of a programme of wildlife and wellbeing activities and supporting in building the capacity of community groups, community leaders and other stakeholders within the Networks for Nature project area.

You will deliver a broad range of activities, including Family Wildlife Clubs, Wildlife and Wellbeing Clubs, Community Action Days, activities linked to Green Social Prescribing (GSP), GSP workshops for healthcare professionals and activity stands within community settings. You will also actively promote and develop community network links.

Due to the working rota of 10 days in 14 and working every other weekend, there will be some cross‑over between the activities delivered within this role and the Community Volunteer Officer role.

• Help plan and run a broad programme of wildlife and wellbeing activities to community groups, including Family Wildlife Clubs, Wildlife and Wellbeing Clubs, Conservation Action Days, activities linked to Green Social Prescribing (GSP), GSP workshops for healthcare professionals and activity stands at community events. Effectively adapt each activity to meet the needs of each group.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community groups to support their continued participation in the project and commitment to creating habitats for UK wildlife. Include administrative support, deal with queries via email and telephone, and attend meetings, consultations and networking events.
• Research and contribute to the development of resources and new engagement activities designed to support participation in the Networks for Nature project.
• Work closely with the Wildlife and Wellbeing Assistant Manager to support in the delivery of an evaluation programme for the Networks for Nature project, including collection and collation of data from project participants, initial analysis of results and presenting findings to key stakeholders.
• With support from the Wildlife and Wellbeing Assistant Manager, ensure that all activities are safe and appropriately risk assessed.
• Proactively develop own expertise as a conservation educator, focused on community engagement, UK wildlife and nature and wellbeing.

We’re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare…