Conservation Project Officer

About us

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.

Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are our gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature.

How you’ll contribute to our mission

Implement activities of the conservation department under direction of the Conservation Project Manager (Field). Deliver targeted conservation project work in support of conservation department activities while developing understanding of conservation science and conservation project management skills. All in support of RZSS’s vision and mission.

Some of the things you’ll do:

• Contribute to and, at times, lead on aspects of a range of conservation projects by providing, for example: assistance with invertebrate conservation breeding programmes, writing reports, contributing to scientific publications, onsite biodiversity surveying, preparing GIS site maps, monitoring reintroduced populations of native invertebrate species in the wild.
• Help to ensure animal welfare, husbandry and management within invertebrate conservation breeding programmes is of the highest standard, considering relevant legislation and best practice animal management.
• Plan and execute time sensitive biodiversity actions (e.g., native species planting).
• Present aspects of conservation project work to visitors to off show areas at Highland Wildlife Park (e.g., project partners, patrons etc).
• Communicate and collaborate with external project partners, maintaining good relationships and attending project stakeholder meetings where required.
• Participate in planning conservation work delivery, including logistics and methodological development.

What we’re looking for:

• Educated to degree-level in relevant subject or equivalent qualification
• Knowledge of native invertebrate species and their ecological and/or husbandry requirements
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Experience in ecology, zoology or environment related discipline
• Experience of report/scientific report writing.

What you’ll get in return:

• Starting pro-rated salary of £24,896 or £25,518 (offer based on experience) with future salary progression up to £27,749 per annum
• 37.5hr working week (including weekend working)
• 34 days annual leave (pro rata)
• Discount in both retail/catering
• Access to a healthcare plan
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), that provide 24-hour counselling and support, including health, legal, finance, wellbeing and family advice
• Employer contributory pension scheme

You will receive a staff membership which will give you (and family/friends) free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoo’s across the UK.

If this role excites you and aligns with your career aspirations, click APPLY now.

Interview date: 6 April 2026

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate’s right to work in the UK and Basic Disclosure check.

Please note that shortlisting of applications and interviews for this position will take place while the advert is live. The advert will close once a successful candidate has been found.

Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications, as soon as possible.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce following the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010.