Closing Date: 18/08/2026
Location/Division: BZP
Landscapes Operative
Salary: £25,753
Contracted Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Location: Bristol Zoo Project
Contract Type: Permanent
Bristol Zoological Society, the conservation and education charity that runs and operates Bristol Zoo Project (previously Wild Place Project), higher education programmes and conservation projects across the world, is recruiting a Landscapes Operative.
Our team of Landscapes Operatives are responsible for keeping the Bristol Zoo Project looking its absolute best and ensuring that the animals that call the site home are provided with a constant supply of fresh browse.
In this hands-on role, you’ll be responsible for the creation and maintenance of hard and soft landscapes across the Bristol Zoo Project site, supporting the delivery of minor projects, as well as providing assistance to our Projects team as they deliver larger capital works such as our the new African Forest exhibit.
You will work directly with the Facilities, Maintenance and Projects teams address requests, using our helpdesk system to streamline workflow and respond efficiently to service needs. And work closely with the Animal Department to meet daily browse requirements, provide enrichment and assist with the implementation of welfare initiatives.
In this role you will carry out general horticulture and grounds maintenance tasks, maintaining visitor and animal areas to high standards. As well as supporting the delivery of our woodland management programme, ensuring the Bristol Zoo Project is sustainable for years to come.
You will also work closely with contractors on site to deliver high-quality outcomes in line with our standards.
Experience using a wide range of landscaping equipment, machinery and plant is vital to fulfilling this role, candidates will be required to produce any relevant qualifications if successful.
If you would like the advert in an alternative format, or would like to talk about how we can adjust the interview process to best support you, please contact [email protected]
We are committed to employing from all areas of the community, we value equality and diversity across our workforce and aim to ensure our staff is reflective of the diversity of the community. In support of this commitment, we welcome applications from the Global Majority.
With a new strategy in place to create a world-class Bristol Zoo and conservation and sustainability at its heart, the new Bristol Zoo Project will offer spacious, modern facilities, significant growth in our conservation and education work, and an innovative and exciting visitor experience.
The role will help to realise our vision of saving wildlife together, and you will be involved in supporting our transformation programme – driving visitor numbers at Bristol Zoo Project and excitement as plans for the new Zoo progress. We know that everyone here at the Society can help us work alongside our communities, look after the environment, and contribute to our inclusive culture.
As a Disability Confident Employer if you identify yourself as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 definition and can demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification, we will guarantee an interview.
Benefits include:
- 30 days of annual leave (Pro-rated, inclusive of bank hols) increasing with length of service with an option to buy up to 5 days’ additional holiday
- Access to our company pension scheme
- Enhanced family leave – supporting you with the important milestones in your life with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Access to a range of resources to support your physical, mental and financial health, including access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Death in service benefit (x3 salary)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans supporting you to spread the cost of environmentally friendly transport options.
- Other flexible benefits including access to a health cash plan to help you with everyday healthcare costs
- Access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of retailers to help make your money go further including gym discounts
- Option for Lifestyle Break after one years’ service
- Ongoing training and development opportunities, allowing you to reach your full potential
To apply for this role please sign into our recruitment portal and upload your CV and cover letter explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the person specification in the job description.
The closing date for applications is 18/08/2026.
To assist your preparation if you are invited to an interview, we ask questions based on our behaviour competencies described in the job description and look for evidence of how you demonstrate these behaviours.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this opportunity.
Diversity Statement
Our vision for the Society to be an employer of choice, that is inclusive and attracts and retains the most talented people, who all work together to sustain our future. As such we welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our employee lifecycle processes, including recruitment, are designed to prevent discrimination against our people regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, disability status, race, or any other aspect which makes them unique.
