We are Chester Zoo, and for 90 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, enthusiastic and expert people, doing everything we can to keep the zoo going, from feeding the animals to discovering new conservation ideas, and giving our visitors an inspirational day out.

We work hard because we love animals, 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 are currently recruiting for 3 young people, aged 18 – 25 years old, to join our Youth Board on a voluntary basis. Watch our short video here and find out more! 

Our Youth Board provide a voice for young people and work closely with our staff and trustees to ensure the zoo is relevant and accessible to all young people. They aim to ensure that Chester Zoo offers a universal experience, whether at the zoo or in wider communities, that puts young people right at the heart of it. They work to make sure the next generation are represented in conversation, are engaged with the work of Chester Zoo and are empowered to have an impact on the future of conservation, so that together we can all help to prevent extinction.

Youth Board members will be asked to:

• Attend and contribute to 6 Youth Board meetings each year (usually hosted on Saturdays)
• Attend additional committee, working group and project meetings as required
• Read relevant papers and complete required preparatory work in advance of meetings
• Complete actions assigned to them
• Contribute to relevant projects in support of the development of Chester Zoo’s programme for 12-25 year olds, this might be through attending additional meetings, collaborating online or working in small project teams.
• Work with other Youth Board members to make recommendations to the Chester Zoo trustees
• Work with the Chester Zoo staff team to oversee the implementation of Chester Zoo’s programmes for 12 – 25 year olds
• Work with the Chester Zoo staff team to make recommendations on and support Chester Zoo’s fundraising and conservation campaigns
• Act as ambassadors of Chester Zoo, in particular its programme for 12-25 year olds, and where appropriate attend Chester Zoo events in this capacity.
• Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information, including via social media or when working with external parties on behalf of the zoo
• Act in the best interests of the charity and not let personal interests, views or prejudices affect their conduct
• Act reasonably and responsibly in all matters relating to Chester Zoo – act with as much care as if they were dealing with their own affairs, taking advice if needed
• Only use our charity’s income and property for the purposes given by the zoo.

Our Youth Board members will meet the following selection criteria:

• Be aged 18 to 25 years old
• Be able to and enjoy working as part of a team
• Want to share their ideas, skills and experiences with Chester Zoo
• Be active listeners and interested in the ideas of others
• Be enthusiastic about working with the zoo to create new programmes for young people
• Able to demonstrate genuine interest in two or more of the following areas: events, conservation, retail, catering, marketing and communications, education, science, animal care, field programmes, outreach, fundraising, campaigning, volunteering, environmental issues, visitor attractions, careers and training.
• Able to travel to Chester Zoo to attend events and/or meetings (meetings are expected to be a mixture of in person on site, virtual and hybrid formats)
• Commit to attending 6 Youth Board meetings at the zoo each year and to being part of the Youth Board for a minimum of two years from appointment

You don’t need to have a background in zoology or conservation or know a lot about zoos. We are looking for young people with a wide variety of interests and skills. The most important thing is being enthusiastic about working with zoo staff and your fellow Youth Board members to make exciting things happen at the zoo. Our work is varied so we want our Youth Board to be varied too.

Youth Board members will be provided with a full induction, regular webinars and training sessions about different aspects of the zoo and a mentor to support their personal development.

This a voluntary position. Youth Board members will not receive any payment for their time. However reasonable travel expenses will be paid. This opportunity is not available for existing members of Chester Zoo staff, although volunteers are eligible to apply.

To apply

To apply, please click Apply Now and upload a Covering Letter in the form of your own Youth Board profile (maximum 800 words in total).

You'll be prompted to upload a CV/Resume too, please upload your Covering Letter again, you do not need to submit your CV.

In your profile please tell us:

• Why you want to be part of Chester Zoo’s Youth Board?
• What skills and experiences would you bring to the Youth Board role?
• What does Chester Zoo mean to you?
• How have you supported the zoo and/or its mission of preventing extinction?
• What you hope to gain from being part of our Youth Board?

Please read the details of the Youth Board member role above and the selection criteria, and use your profile to tell us how you meet those criteria. For inspiration you can find profiles written by our existing Youth Board members on the meet the Youth Board section of our website here.

The closing date for applications is midnight Sunday 26 September 2021.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a selection day on Saturday 6 November 2021.