Youth Volunteer Officer

35 hours per week, temporary contract until December 2028.

We are Chester Zoo

We’re not just an award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 30,000 incredible animals within 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re a major conservation charity committed to preventing extinction and restoring nature, both locally and globally.

As the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a significant contribution to conservation when it’s needed most. We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Youth Volunteering Officer to join our Volunteering Team within the Conservation Education and Engagement Directorate.

As a Youth Volunteering Officer, you will work closely with the Volunteer Manager and the Networks for Nature project staff to deliver an inclusive volunteering programme for young people aged 14-25. The role focuses on creating meaningful opportunities that connect young people with conservation and social action, whilst supporting their personal development and wellbeing.

The Youth Volunteering Officer will recruit, train and mentor young volunteers, ensuring high-quality experiences that are inclusive, safe and impactful. The Youth Volunteering Officer will also recruit, train and support adult Youth Champion Volunteers who will empower and support the youth volunteers to participate and engage in the volunteer programme.

As Youth Volunteer Officer, you will co-ordinate a supported programme for young people that will include practical conservation, visitor engagement and the Conservation Changemakers programme, designing and delivering their own projects while recognising and evidencing the skills they gain.

The role will also support the delivery of our wider youth programmes including our Environmental Leadership courses, and Youth Network events supporting pathways for young people to access training, events, and volunteer experiences.

We’re looking for someone who can:

Programme Delivery

With guidance from the Volunteer Manager, coordinate and deliver youth volunteering opportunities for young people aged 14-25, including practical conservation activities, visitor engagement opportunities and social action projects. Support young people to develop skills, confidence and experience through meaningful volunteering.

Volunteer Recruitment and Support

Recruit, induct, train and support youth volunteers, ensuring they receive a positive and rewarding volunteering experience. Support young people to access pathways into conservation, community action and the wider youth programme. Recruit, train and support Youth Champion Volunteers who play a key role in encouraging and facilitating youth participation within the programme.

Inclusive Participation

Work proactively to reduce barriers to participation and provide tailored support for young people from diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities, neurodiversity, mental health challenges or socio-economic disadvantage.

Youth-led Projects and Co-production

Coordinate and facilitate youth-led conservation and community action projects through the Conservation Changemakers programme. Enable young people to generate ideas, plan activities, take ownership of projects and evidence their learning and achievements.

Events, Training and Activities Planning and Delivery

With support from the Volunteer Manager, deliver volunteer events, training sessions, workshops and networking opportunities for youth volunteers, working with colleagues and partners to provide engaging and high-quality experiences. Support the delivery of youth programme events, including Environmental Leadership courses.

Participant Engagement Monitoring

Monitor participation through surveys, feedback mechanisms and regular check-ins. Collate engagement and outcome data, contributing to project evaluation and reporting for internal stakeholders and funders.

Daily Volunteer Engagement

Manage day-to-day communication with youth volunteers and Youth Champion Volunteers, including responding to enquiries, processing applications, maintaining records, organising rotas and training bookings, and providing ongoing support.

Safeguarding, Safety and Risk Assessments

Work with the Volunteer Manager to ensure all youth volunteering activities operate within safeguarding policies and procedures. Assist with risk assessments and ensure that appropriate welfare, wellbeing and safety measures are embedded throughout all activities.

Partnership Working

Work with the Volunteer Manager to develop effective working relationships with schools, colleges, youth organisations, community groups and relevant internal departments to increase participation, reduce barriers to engagement and strengthen programme delivery.

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes…

We’re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place. As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 temporary team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office – where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The Package

• Fixed term contract until December 2028
• 35 hours per week
• Salary £24,06.50 per annum (pro rata based on 35 hours per week)
• The postholder will work 5 days out of 7 including a regular weekend day
• 33 days annual leave plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days (pro rota)
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions

Our Requirements

• An understanding of and commitment to Chester Zoo’s mission, vision and values.
• Experience of working with young people.
• Experience of coordinating, supporting or working with volunteers.
• Experience of delivering training, workshops or activities with a range of audiences.
• Knowledge of inclusive practice and supporting young people with diverse needs.
• Strong organisational, administrative and planning skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication and literacy skills including by phone, face to face and via email/online discussion boards
• Ability to build positive relationships with young people, colleagues and partner organisations.
• Sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and digital communication tools.
• Experience of working in a busy office environment as part of a team & on own initiative
• Full UK driving licence.

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Knowledge of youth work/ youth engagement which could be demonstrated by a relevant qualification in youth work, education, community development, related field or relevant experience
• Experience of delivering conservation, environmental or outdoor learning activities.
• Experience of supporting young people facing barriers to participation.
• Working knowledge of volunteer management systems.
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and best practice.
• Experience of monitoring and evaluating volunteering activities

Additional Information

• Due to the nature of the role, this post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
• The closing date for applications is 27/09/2026.

Networks for Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.