CONSERVATION COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

CONSERVATION COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Full Time, permanent (35 hours per week)

Chester Zoo is the UK’s No.1 top zoo, providing visitors with a fun-packed day out, but with a serious mission - to be a major force in conserving biodiversity worldwide.

To save species from extinction we need dedicated and passionate individuals, and we are recruiting a Conservation Communications Officer to work with like-minded individuals in our Field Programmes Team. You’ll also be working closely with various other zoo teams who contribute to our conservation work and, of course, with our partners overseas.

The job of the Conservation Communications Officer is to spread the word about the huge range of conservation activities the zoo is engaged in, with a particular emphasis on our field work, and generate interest and support for wildlife conservation. This includes working with zoo teams who engage our visitors on-site, who produce our media releases and who manage the Chester Zoo website. Managing the content of the Act For Wildlife website and various associated conservation campaign will also be a large part of the job.

In fact the Conservation Communications Officer will take the lead on the majority of the Field Programme related communications. They will be expected to design, develop and implement effective awareness material, this includes evaluating what we already do, generating awareness, stimulating behaviour change or providing updates to a range of audiences from zoo staff to visitors, the public and peers. This could also include involvement in overseas projects where these communication skills can be put to the test in the field.

The Conservation Communications Officer will need a unique combination of skills – experience and knowledge of biodiversity conservation with experience of producing effective awareness materials to a range of audiences (a minimum of an MSc or equivalent in a conservation or communication related subject with at least one qualification in a biological sciences discipline).

It goes without saying we are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal skills, attention to detail and creative flair. The Conservation Communications Officer will also need strong skills in the common computer software packages, excellent oral and written communication skills and exceptional organisational abilities.

This is a full-time position (35 hours per week, Monday-Friday) based at Chester Zoo, with the possibility of some periods overseas and weekend work.

The salary is £21,015 per annum for a 35 hour week.

To apply for this position please email recruitment@chesterzoo.org with your current CV and a covering letter stating why you believe you should be considered for the Conservation Communications Officer role by Wednesday, 7^th January 2015.