Apprentice Horticulturist

Introduction

Our Apprentice Horticulturist’s will play a key role learning while working as part of our professional horticulture and botany teams, to ensure the highest standards of care and cultivation of our gardens and extensive plant collections across the zoo.

About the Employer

We are Chester Zoo and we are mission motivated, passionate people, working together to be the best.  We opened in 1931 by founder, George Mottershead who wanted to create the first UK zoo without bars. We are home to over 37,000 animals across our 128 acre site and have over 2 million visitors a year. Our mission is to prevent extinction; it’s a bold statement but we are confident that by working together and with our partners we can make a difference to wildlife here in the UK and the world.

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. 

What You'll Do

As part of the zoo's horticultural department as an apprentice, you'll be trained on and responsible for (but not limited to) the following:

Key responsibilities

• To develop horticultural knowledge and skills to grow, nurture and develop a wide range of plants.
• To learn how to identify and control pest, disease, weed infestations using appropriate methods.
• To work within the team to design new horticultural planting.To learn the importance of and comply with risk assessments and safe operating procedures.
• To learn and develop skills to use and maintain a range of hand tools and mechanical horticultural equipment.

You’ll develop your skills alongside various members of the team, learning a variety of duties and supporting the whole organisation to continued growth. You’ll be taught and mentored by supervisors who are well versed in the job role and industry, to achieve your full potential and share in the organisations success.

If you are committed and ready to take your first step into a real career with a well-established organisation, then please apply now! This apprenticeship and opportunity with The North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo) will be highly competitive, so do not miss your chance!

Training Outcome

Possibility of full-time employment within the sector 

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Be reliable and punctual
• Interest in plant species
• Willing to listen and learn
• Work under pressure
• Knowledge of Microsoft
• Committed to the zoo's mission

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - Maths & English - A*-C/9-4

Course Information

Course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Level: 2

Route: Agriculture, environmental and animal care

Apprenticeship Level: Intermediate

Working Arrangements

Working Week: 5 days per week including weekends and bank holidays as rostered. 7.00am to 4.00pm or 7:30am - 4:30pm (depending on time of year).

Expected Duration: 2 Years

Number of Positions Available: 2

Training Provider: RNN GROUP

This employer is part of the Disability Confident scheme, committed to employing disabled people.