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🟢 Actively Hiring · Posted 24d ago ⏳ Closes in 67 days UK Corridor 🛡️ UK Work Eligibility 🏢 Company - Public

Aquarist

Salary Range
£22,421 - £22,421
£1,868 - £1,868 / mo

Career Integrity & Compliance Audit Report

OP-VERIF-A9D3C14D ✓ Passed Inspection

This vacancy has been independently reviewed by the OppaJob Transatlantic Career Intelligence Desk to confirm authentic direct employer recruiting, verify compensation transparency, and eliminate applicant processing fees.

✓
Corporate Registration Verified UK Companies House registration standing active
✓
Prevailing Wage Benchmark UK National Minimum Wage & Equality Act 2010 aligned
✓
Zero-Intermediary Direct Pipeline Direct candidate ATS submission. 100% free with zero recruitment charges.
✓
Corridor Right-to-Work Match UK Work Eligibility

Transatlantic Cost of Living & Purchasing Power Benchmark

Verified Analytics
Location Base
Chessington, England
Tier-1 UK Economic Zone
Est. Take-Home Pay
68% - 74% (After PAYE & NI)
Single tax filer baseline
Transatlantic Parity
1.0 GBP ≈ $1.28 USD Living Standard
Direct corporate benchmark
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Position Overview & Specifications

Aquarist


Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Leatherhead Road
Chessington, SURREY, KT9 2NE
United Kingdom

Aquarist

Location: Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Surrey, KT9 2NE
Hours: Full time, permanent, averaging 40 hours per week, working 5 days out of 7, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays as required by the business.
Benefits: Competitive salary of £22,421.16, discount on our animal VIP experiences and Go Ape course, discounts on our Hotels and a Merlin Magic Pass - 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world.

With our Theme Park, Zoo, spectacular Hotels & Glamping as well as our Go Ape courses there are plenty of ROARingly exciting career paths available. We're also a part of the Merlin Entertainments family - associated with attractions like SEA LIFE, LEGOLAND Parks, Madame Tussauds and More!

We're currently looking for an Aquarist to join our Zoo team at Britain’s Wildest Adventure!

About the Role

In this role you will ensure we are delivering amazing, immersive, safe experiences for our guests each and every day, with a positive team spirit, initiative, innovation and high standards.

Working with the Displays Supervisor, you will be part of the team of Aquarists that looks after our SEALIFE. Together with the team, you will undertake the vital day to day tasks involved in caring for over a thousand amazing creatures.

You’ll be responsible for the maintenance of the life support systems along with the cleanliness and presentation of our displays, record keeping, tank and enclosure design, aquascaping and theming, always striving to ensure it is the best it can be.

You will ensure suitable diets and feed plans are in place and delivered for our creatures, as well as continuing to develop our excellent animal welfare across the collection.

In addition to this, you will support new exciting exhibit developments, with a proactive focus on the correct care and attention to the quarantine and transportation processes, and implementation of policies and procedures that maximise the efficiency of the management of animal husbandry and innovation throughout the resort.

What we’re looking for

  • A dynamic, confident, self-motivated individual who supports our conservation and education goals. Robust knowledge of aquatic animal husbandry, and a good level of understanding of animal behaviour.
  • Basic knowledge and experience of reptiles and amphibian’s husbandry is desirable.
  • A degree in a relevant biological science is advantageous, or a minimum of two years of paid relevant experience in public aquaria, as equivalent.
  • Experience as a diver in an aquarium setting and trained to a level PADI Rescue Diver, or equivalent as laid down by the HSE, is advantageous.
  • Good presentation skills, in addition to the ability and passion to interact with the public.
  • Strong communication and computer skills are required, as are efficient time management and organisational skills.
  • Enthusiasm to learn and develop in the role.

What’s on offer?

  • A competitive salary of £22,421.16
  • 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
  • Merlin Magic Pass - 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world rising to 40 after a year’s service
  • Company bonus
  • Private pension scheme
  • 40% discount online off LEGO
  • 25% discount in our on-site retail shops and restaurants
  • Ongoing training and development opportunities
  • Plus many more…

Everyone Matters at Merlin

At Merlin we welcome the world to our magical attractions and resorts every day and we want to reflect that same multicultural mix inside our business too. We strive to create an inclusive and diverse workplace where people can be themselves, have the same opportunities and thrive together. Because at Merlin, everyone matters! Together, we work to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, no matter their age, race, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. Although we understand that we'll always be learning and growing, we aim to be the most inclusive and flexible employer in our industry.


#LI-CB2

Candidate Selection & Onboarding Process

1

Application & Resume Screening

Submit your tailored CV/Resume directly to the talent acquisition portal.

2

Technical & Competency Interviews

Virtual interviews with the hiring manager and multidisciplinary team.

3

Formal Offer & Benefits Negotiation

Written agreement outlining compensation, equity, retirement vesting, and relocation allowances.

4

Onboarding & Corporate Integration

Equipment provisioning, team orientation, and commencement of duties.

United Kingdom Right to Work & Skilled Worker Visa Guide

Corridor Intelligence

Employment in the United Kingdom requires legal Right to Work verified under the Home Office Points-Based Immigration System:

🇬🇧 Skilled Worker Visa (Tier 2)

Sponsoring employers must hold an active Home Office A-rated Sponsor License and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Role must meet the general minimum salary threshold (£38,700) or occupation going rate.

🏛️ Settlement (ILR) Pathway

Continuous employment under Skilled Worker status establishes eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years, leading to British Citizenship.

⚖️ Official regulatory reference: UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) & Home Office Sponsor Register.

Candidate Preparation Blueprint: Culture & Entertainment

Recruitment Insights

Based on transatlantic hiring benchmarks for Aquarist roles across Chessington World of Adventures's corporate sector, successful applicants typically excel across three core dimensions:

1. Domain Competency

Demonstrated portfolio evidence, architecture/system design case studies, or validated professional certifications directly applicable to Culture & Entertainment.

2. Behavioral & Leadership

STAR method competency responses highlighting cross-functional leadership, conflict resolution, and delivering measurable enterprise ROI under tight timelines.

3. Compensation Alignment

Total compensation expectation aligned within the benchmarked £22,421 - £22,421 bracket, including retirement vesting and health parity.

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Hiring Organization
Chessington World of Adventures

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Location: Chessington, England
Eligibility: UK Work Eligibility
Schedule: Company - Public
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