Play Area Assistant

We are looking for a person to fill a vacancy that has arisen in the Children’s Play Area Team
at our award-winning zoo, East Anglia’s premier tourist attraction.

As part of our organization’s mission statement, we aim to provide guests with an excellent customer
experience and the successful applicant will make a significant contribution to this by ensuring guests
have access to safe and constructive play and entertainment activities.

The right person for this job must be able to energise and engage with younger guests and their
adult companions with enthusiasm, motivation and a passion for inspiring and bringing added
fun to the visitor experience.

You may have an interest or understanding of child development but also can demonstrate
an ability and willingness to take on performing roles sometimes in costume as part of our daily
programme of activities or special events.

No two days are the same at Colchester Zoo and in this role, you can be assured of a variety
of tasks and roles across your working day.

This job is not just providing play and children’s activities – it is contributing to these in the wonderful
surroundings and environment of Colchester Zoo and we are looking for the right person
to join our team!

If you are:

• hard-working and committed.

• organised and methodical.
• outgoing and adaptable and willing to learn
• able to remain pleasant and calm in a busy and demanding environment
• patient, professional and courteous when dealing with guest enquiries
• confident and outgoing with high standards of personal appearance

• passionate about delivering exceptional guest service

• flexible and adaptable to changes

• able to work well as part of a team and independently.

we would love to hear from you!

JOB TITLE: PLAY AREA ASSISTANT

Colchester Zoo is home to over 160 species and is dedicated to supporting conservation projects
around the globe. As an award-winning visitor attraction with over a million guests visiting each
year, every staff member at the zoo works together to ensure that our guests have an enjoyable
and unforgettable experience.

KEY
RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support play area managers and other team members to perform

the required daily operations and any tasks deemed appropriate.
• Ensure that all guests receive a warm, friendly and memorable welcome
in meet and greet roles
• Supervise play area activities and events ensuring guests follow rules
and guidance
• Contribute to maintaining the cleanliness and equipment in the department
• Support commercial role, including cash handling, in outlets around the zoo
including Sand Shop, Inflatables and Face painting,
• Support engaging actives in our interactive area and bug handling
• Contribute to special events and performances including on stage in costume
or around the zoo as a mascot
• Ensure that the play environment and information are well maintained
at all times
• Support the booking systems and smooth running of specific events

• Ensure a good knowledge of services and products

• Operate and complete tasks in accordance with the Company’s
Health & Safety Policy
• Work in a range of environments including outdoors

SKILLS AND
QUALIFICATIONS

• Punctual, hard-working and able to use own initiative

• A highly motivated individual with excellent guest service skills
• Ability to work under pressure and juggle competing priorities in a busy,
fast paced and challenging environment with minimum supervision
• Excellent and clear communication skills for a range of customer needs
and abilities
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team
• To work calmly and effectively in a high-pressure environment
• Maintenance of records relating to tasks performed e.g., bookings
and guest contacts
• Maintenance of hygienic and safe working environments
• Ability to interact positively and professionally with the public, and colleagues

EXPERIENCE • It is desirable that you should have experience of working with or
around children
• Experience in drama, dance or performing arts will enhance this role.

WORKING HOURS • This is a zero-hour position
• Availability to work weekends and across holiday periods is an essential
requirement
• Weekday term time availability is also desirable
• Typical shifts may be 1-2 days at weekends and up to 5 days during
holiday periods
• Pay rate – to be discussed at interview and subject to successful completion
of a three-month probation period.

This job is very much a job where no two days will ever be the same. It is the
perfect job for someone with energy and enthusiasm and possibly considering
a career in childcare or performing arts. Full training will be given in the role.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in applying, please complete the Colchester Zoo Employment application form,
Please ensure all sections of the application form are completed, do not enter ‘Refer to CV’.

Send you CV and completed Employment Application Form to kalahari@colchesterzoo.org

Closing date is 2nd June 2023.

Please be aware that we will only process applications that include a completed application form
and CV. We do have a lot of interest in our vacancies, if you have not heard from us after four weeks
of submitting your application you should assume you have not been successful on the occasion.

SECTION ONE – Position Details (type in information)

Position applied for: PLAY AREA ASSISTANT

Department: Play Area

Previous employment at Colchester Zoo:
(Include job title, department and dates.)

Are you eligible to work in the UK in
accordance with the Immigration and
Asylum Act 1999?
(You must be able to provide documentary
evidence that you are entitled to work in the UK
without the need for Colchester Zoo to apply for any
kind of work permit.)

National Insurance number: