Marwell Wildlife Volunteers

Our Guest Experience team are looking for Volunteers that have a genuine interest in other people, active listening skills, a helpful and welcoming manner and open positive body language.  Someone with the confidence to open conversations with guests and an ability to engage with a wide range of people. 

What does the role involve?

• Providing a warm welcome to guests and proactively engage with them to ensure they get the best experience.
• Delighting our guests by talking to them about the different species in the zoo, pointing out the best viewing areas (training and fact sheets will be provided).
• Sharing your knowledge of the different areas in the zoo including any special events taking place.
• To give assistance to guests by answering their questions and helping them to plan their day, providing any information they might require.
• Taking card payments for relevant activities.

The role will also involve standing and walking around the Zoo for up to 3hrs at a time, in all weather conditions.  There will also be high temperatures in some areas including our Tropical House and in our Lemur Loop due to limited shade. Please let us know during your interview if you are not comfortable with this and we can plan shifts accordingly. 

Full training and information needed will be given and you will be fully supported by the wider Marwell team. Tasks will depend on the time of year and activities taking place on a particular day and there may be more than one task per shift.

This role is a varied role and each day has the opportunity to be slightly different.  You will also have the opportunity to meet a wide range of other volunteers, staff and guests.

Most aspects of the role are active and include walking and standing for a couple of hours at a time, however we can adapt the duties if you would like to get involved but would like to do less walking. 

We have an exciting opportunity for a support volunteer to join the Primates and Small Mammals team to assist our animal keepers with animal husbandry, enclosure maintenance, general upkeep of the section and record keeping.

What does the role involve?

Assisting keepers with;

·         Cleaning animal habitats

·         Food preparation and feeding of animals

·         Cleaning and feeding of live food (insects)

·         Habitat maintenance e.g. raking, pruning, cleaning windows, weeding, substrate changes,   refurbishments, maintaining life support systems, DIY etc.

·         Animal observations and behaviour reporting

·         Basic administrative tasks & record keeping

·         General cleaning and tidying of communal areas of the section e.g. kitchen, yard, fridge,    tool room, mess room, laundry etc.

We are looking for a volunteer that has a passion and enthusiasm for animals and conservation with a basic understanding of the zoo industry and an ambition to enter the animal care profession.   An understanding of basic health and safety, including biosecurity is essential. 

We are looking for a positive and friendly team player with good observation and IT skills.  You need to be a good communicator and someone who is able to ask questions and be willing to learn.  In return you will get ongoing mentoring from the keeping team

This role will require physical fitness and stamina as you will be on your feet all day, with some heavy lifting, and use of some heavy equipment.  You will also be working in some challenging environments including high temperatures, uneven ground, wet/cold weather, around water bodies, low branching etc.

Masks are required to be worn when working with Primates and there will be contact with potential allergens e.g. nuts, medications, hair/fur, chemicals etc.

Full section training will be provided along with the required risk assessments and standard operating procedures.   You will always be paired with a member of the keeping team unless set up with a task deemed appropriate by the Team Leader or Senior Keeper, e.g. cleaning and tidying non-animal areas, working in habitats with animals secured away, typing up records etc.

We are looking for 1-2 support volunteers that are able to commit to a minimum of one day each week, on a regular basis,  working 08:00-17:00.

Closing Date: Sunday 28 June 2026