Chester Zoo

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Chester Zoo
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Senior Exhibitions and Interpretation Officer

Reference: NOV20185991
Expiry date: 2018-11-28 23:59:00.000
Location: Chester
Salary: £28,391.91 - £28,931.91 Per Annum
Benefits: Excellent benefits package
Duration:18 Months

Temporary - 18 months

We are Chester Zoo, and for over 80 years we’ve been a leading conservation and education charity, and an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction.

We’re also a team of passionate, talented and expert people, doing everything we can to keep the zoo going giving our 1.9 million visitors an inspirational day out. We work hard because we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and we want to be the best zoo in the world! If you think you can help us to achieve that, then we’d love to hear from you.

We currently have an exciting vacancy for a Senior Exhibitions and Interpretation Officer to play a key role in our Discovery and Learning department on a temporary basis.

The successful candidate will be highly motivated and support the Exhibitions and Interpretation (E&I) Manager to ensure the effective delivery and ongoing development of all interpretation across the zoo, and ensure education and conservation impact through delivery of our learning outcomes. 

The Role:

  • To support the E&I Manager and work collaboratively to ensure excellence in the development, implementation and maintenance of interpretation across the zoo. Collaborating widely to ensure buy in and authentic content creation. Supervising interpretation production through brief writing, content development, procurement, installation and ongoing maintenance.
  • Lead, develop and motivate the Interpretation Officer in order to ensure efficient delivery of all interpretation work, high morale, delivery of our values and professionalism. Supervise any interns or volunteers working in the department as required.
  • Source, recruit, manage and oversee the work of a wide variety of contractors ensuring effective delivery of projects, supervision of their work and management of contracts.
  • Ensure all existing interpretation information is accurate and shows the latest field and science updates, and compliant with the requirements of zoo licensing.
  • Implement and assist with the development of policies, procedures and safe working practices to ensure the E&I team follow best practice and are compliant with all relevant guidelines and legislation (e.g. copyright, H&S, DDA). Ensure installations are completed safely with risk assessments, and that assets are appropriately managed and documented.
  • Develop skills and knowledge in the areas of interpretation and wider exhibition design, keeping up to date with best practice, collaborating with partners in the UK and internationally as appropriate, researching excellence and sharing practice.
  • Ensure that interpretation projects are based on high quality research evidence, by initiating and working on pre- and post-evaluation projects, reading widely and working with the E&I Manager, Conservation Social Scientist and others to collect and analyse data about the impact of interpretation and learning at the zoo.
  • Support the E&I Manager to lead the direction of interpretation across the zoo, including deputising for them in project meetings and working as part of the wider D&L management team to shape the direction of learning at the zoo.

The successful candidate will have:

  • Experience of developing interpretation and/or exhibitions in a zoo, museum, science centre, or similar environment. Experience with the process of building exhibits from brief through to completion. This experience would ideally be supported by a relevant degree or Masters level qualification.
  • A working knowledge of conservation and zoology. This is likely be demonstrated by a Zoology or Biological Science degree and/or experience of working within a zoo, conservation organisation or similar environment with a degree in another relevant subject.
  • Experience of text writing, ideally in a visitor attraction setting or for a specific audience. Must have excellent written English and understand how to write for different audience types and different media.
  • The ability to find accurate information and quality source materials (such as films, maps and images), seek copyright clearance for their usage and edit into appropriate formats for our audiences.
  • Excellent verbal, written and visual presentation skills – including the creation of engaging interpretation and learning resources. The ability to brief key stakeholders on projects and requirements. To be able to communicate with a wide range of people with varying levels of technical and subject knowledge. To coordinate with others, especially Animal Teams and Maintenance, regarding installations.
  • Skilled in the use of all key Microsoft packages is essential. Basic graphic skills using Adobe Creative Suite or experience with 2D or 3D design software is desirable. Experience using and sourcing a variety of software and hardware for public engagement.
  • Excellent time management, administration, project management and workload planning skills are essential. Must be able to cope with multiple conflicting deadlines.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to work effectively under own initiative and as part of a team, to work under pressure with a positive and enthusiastic attitude. The role requires the job holder to work across different departments and with external colleagues. Experience of line management is desirable.

Hours of work are 40 hours per week, worked Monday-Friday, with occasional evening and/or weekend work as required for an 18 month period.

The salary for this role is £28,391.91 per annum and in addition we offer a range of amazing benefits which can be found at https://www.chesterzoo.org/footer/careers/working-at-chester-zoo.

To apply for this position, please go to https://www.chesterzoo.org/footer/careers and click apply now to provide your current CV and complete the application form highlighting your skills and experience including why you believe you should be considered for our Senior Exhibitions and Interpretation Officer role.

Closing date for applications is 28 November 2018